Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

September 3– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“The Lord tries the righteous.”

—Psalm 11:5

All events are under the control of God’s Providence— His sovereign and meticulous care; therefore, all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to him. Out of the golden gate of God’s ordinance, the armies of trial march forth in organized groups, outfitted in iron armor and armed with weapons of war.

All providences—everything we experience– are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high and our valleys are not too low for temptations. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are surrounded by dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order as it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces; they test the genuineness of our virtues and increase their energy.

Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love sets so high a value upon his people’s faith that he will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if your faith had not been tried by fire. You are a tree that would never have taken root so well if the wind had not blown you to and fro and made you hold firmly the precious truths of covenant grace.

Worldly ease is a great enemy of faith; it loosens the joints of holy valor and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut, and affliction performs this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk, it is useless to man; it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. So, it is good that Jehovah tries the righteous, for it causes them to grow rich in God. [M&E]