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  GREATEST GIFTS COME THROUGH TRAVAIL
  by Charles E. Cowman
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Summary: The greatest gifts of God come through the trials and
sufferings of life, and it is in these moments that we can learn to
develop strong faith and trust in God.

Topics: "Faith And Trials", "Gods Sovereignty"
Scripture References: Psalm 34:17, Psalm 56:3, Isaiah 41:10, Mark 5:36, Romans 4:18, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 12:9, James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of enduring great trials
to strengthen our faith, drawing inspiration from the unwavering faith
of Abraham in Romans 4:18-19. He emphasizes that the strongest faith is
developed in the midst of great afflictions, teaching us to hold onto
God's promises even when everything else fails. Cowman encourages
believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to find comfort in knowing
that through trials and suffering, God is preparing us for His greater
purposes.

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CONTENT
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"For Abraham, when hope was gone, hoped on in faith. His faith never
quailed" (Rom. 4:18-19).

We shall never forget a remark that George Mueller once made to a
gentleman who had asked him the best way to have strong faith.

"The only way," replied the patriarch of faith, "to learn strong faith
is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid
severe testings." This is very true. The time to trust is when all else
fails.

Dear one, you scarcely realize the value of your present opportunity; if
you are passing through great afflictions you are in the very soul of
the strongest faith, and if you will only let go, He will teach you in
these hours the mightiest hold upon His throne which you can ever know.

"Be not afraid, only believe." And if you are afraid, just look up and
say, "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee," and you will yet
thank God for the school of sorrow which was to you the school of faith.
--A. B. Simpson

"Great faith must have great trials."

"God's greatest gifts come through travail. Whether we look into the
spiritual or temporal sphere, can we discover anything, any great
reform, any beneficent discovery, any soul-awakening revival, which did
not come through the toils and tears, the vigils and blood-shedding of
men and women whose sufferings were the pangs of its birth? If the
temple of God is raised, David must bear sore afflictions; if the Gospel
of the grace of God is to be disentangled from Jewish tradition, Paul's
life must be one long agony."

"Take heart, O weary, burdened one, bowed down

Beneath thy cross;

Remember that thy greatest gain may come

Through greatest loss.

Thy life is nobler for a sacrifice,

And more divine.

Acres of bloom are crushed to make a drop

Of perfume fine.

"Because of storms that lash the ocean waves,

The waters there

Keep purer than if the heavens o'erhead

Were always fair.

The brightest banner of the skies floats not

At noonday warm;

The rainbow traileth after thunder-clouds,

And after storm."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/charles-e-cowman/greatest-gifts-come-through-travail/
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