The benefits of trials

"We learn more Bible in a day of sorrow than a year in good times."

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes." -Psalm 119:71

"The faith of a child of God should grow stronger in times of trial and trouble. Trials have a way of digging up the soil of our hearts and exposing the weeds that need to be gotten rid of. It is not in the sunshine but in the storm that we discover the depth of our need, the Source of our strength, and even the weakness of our faith. Great soldiers are made in the battlefield, not in the barracks. God is far more concerned with our welfare than even we are. God is the Father of mercies. All mercy and feelings of compassion come from God. He remembers that we are dust. The Lord provides these means for His children's comfort during times of trouble: the Saviour, the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and other saints." -Unknown

 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

-2 Corinthians 1:3-4

GEN. 1. 20

“God meant it unto good,”—O blest assurance

Falling like sunshine all across life’s way,

Touching with heaven’s gold earth’s darkest storm clouds,

Bringing fresh peace and comfort day by day.

‘Twas not by chance the hands of faithless brethren

Sold Joseph captive to a foreign land;

Nor was it chance which, after years of suffering,

Brought him before the monarch’s throne to stand.

One Eye all-seeing saw the need of thousands,

And planned to meet it through that one lone soul;

And, through the weary days of prison bondage,

Was working towards the great and glorious goal.

As yet the end was hidden from the captive,

The iron entered even to his soul:

His eye could scan the present path of sorrow,

Not yet his gaze might rest upon the whole.

Faith failed not through those long dark hours of waiting

His trust in God was recompensed at last;

The moment came when God led forth His servant

To succor many, all his sufferings past.

“It was not you, but God that sent me hither,”

Witnessed triumphant faith in after days;

“God meant it unto good” no second causes

Mingled their discord with his song of praise.

“God means it unto good” for thee, beloved;

The God of Joseph is the same today,

His love permits afflictions strange and bitter:

His hand is guiding through the unknown way.

The Lord, who sees the end from the beginning,

Hath purposes for thee of love untold;

Then place thy hand in His and follow fearless,

Till thou the riches of His grace behold.

Then when thou standest in the Home of glory,

And all life’s path lies open to thy gaze,

Thine eyes shall see the hand which now thou trustest,

And magnify His love through endless days.

F. H. A.

Declare His glory among the heathen, 

His wonders among all people. 

-Psalms 96:3