true faith must be tested

true faith has to be tested. if our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. gilt is afraid of the fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed and the light of the Father's countenance hidden.
a faith which can say in the greatest trouble, 'though He slay me, yet i will trust in Him," is a heaven-born faith. the Lord is greatly glorified in the trials of His servants, for where we have been grieved by various trials, the genuineness of our faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:6-7).
we should never know the music of a harp if its strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the wine press; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of the fire if its coals were not utterly consumed. the wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass.
present affliction tend also to heighten joy. there must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of the earth? will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified?

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. -2 Cor 4:17-18

in His love

Prayer

The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favors without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty [although that isn't all there is to it]. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God’s young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God’s warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day! -Charles Spurgeon

He holds our future

"Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives."


As we go through the last week of exams for year 5s, the long studying period for year 6s and exam period for the other levels, let us just remember to place all our trust in God. For alone with our own strengths, we may find it difficult to face tomorrow, but through God who holds our future, everyday of life will be worth living.

So let's press on with God by our side to glorify Him!



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