TESTING TIMES, THE PROOF OF LOVE
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"Fear not! for God has come to prove you." Exodus 20:20
It was not from amidst the thunderings and darkness, the fire and smoke of Mount Sinai — that these words reached my heart this morning. They were whispered by a "still small voice" in the quiet of my own chamber, and they brought courage and comfort in a time of sore need and depression.
"Fear not!" This was the tender message; and the reason for confidence was given — "for God has come to prove you!" The blessed fact of His presence, changed the appearance of all the things that seemed against me. The trial was not taken away, but my eyes were opened to see that, if it came from the hand of my God, there must be a blessing in it. My soul pondered the sweet assurance, and found therein the calm of Heaven, after the storms and strifes of earth.
Whatever may be the grievous circumstances in which I am placed, or the injustice of others from which I am suffering — if my God says, "Fear not!" then I ought surely to be brave and strong. If we can only get firmly fixed in our hearts, the truth that the Lord's hand is in everything that happens to us, we have found a balm for all our woes, and a remedy for all our ills. When friends fail us and grow cold, when enemies triumph and wax confident, when the smooth pathway upon which we have been traveling suddenly becomes rough, stony, and steep — we are too apt to look askance at the visible second causes; and to forget that our God has . . .
foreseen every trial,
permitted every annoyance, and
authorized each item of discipline
— with this set purpose!
"The Lord your God proves you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 13:3). O heart of mine, what is your response to this demand? Do you not love Him enough to endure any test to prove it?
I remember once reading words to this effect — that the moment we come into any trial or difficulty, our first thought should be, not how soon can we escape from it, or how may we lessen the pain we shall suffer from it — but how can we best glorify God in it, and most quickly learn the lesson which He desires to teach us by it? Had we grace and faith enough to do this — our trials and troubles would be but as so many steps by which we would climb to the mountain-top of continual fellowship and peace with God. The soul that has learned the blessed secret of seeing God's hand in all that concerns it — cannot be a prey to fear. It looks beyond all second causes — straight into the heart and will of God — and rests content, because his all-loving and all-wise Heavenly Father rules!
"God has come to prove you." My soul, think how great must be His love to you — that He should stoop to search for your heart's obedience and devotion! Think of the Infinite God, your Redeemer — longing, desiring, yearning to be assured of your supreme affection! As He Himself puts it by His servant Moses, "You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you — to humble you, and to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not."
What pains He has taken with you! How tenderly He has borne with you! Every trial has been a test, every pain has had a purpose. And can it be — that you are still keeping back from Him the full surrender of heart and life which His Divine love demands? Can it be — that you are still lingering and wavering on the borderland of half-heartedness, instead of gladly leaving all to follow Him?
Nay, Lord, it shall be so no longer! Help me to give You, at this moment, instantly and eagerly — the proof of my love which You seek, in the submission of my heart to all Your will — and the entire consecration of body, soul, and spirit to Your service! Then, every yoke will be made easy, and every burden will become light, for I shall carry them under the firm conviction that my gracious Lord has laid them on me, and is but testing the strength of the love and grace which He Himself has given!
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