Treasured Trials
God sends trials to us because they are blessings that help us grow and mature in our faith, leading us to a greater dependence on Him.
Miles J. Stanford preaches about the importance of humbling ourselves under God's mighty hand, trusting that He will exalt us in His perfect timing. He emphasizes that trials are blessings sent by the Blesser, even though many desire the removal of these trials. Stanford uses the analogy of how the brightest summers follow the longest and most severe winters, illustrating that the most fragrant fruits of Christ often come at a cost known only to Him. He highlights that God allows weaknesses and trials to foster dependence on Him, leading to maturity, strength, and establishment in our faith.
Text
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty' hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:6).
The Blesser sends trials because the trials are blessings. Most covet the "blessing" of having the trial removed.
"I find the brightest summer is when the winter has been longest and most severe. The wheat, the best grain, passes a winter in the soil. The bud, the blossom, or fruit, most fragrant of Christ, is the one which nobody knows what it cost me but Himself; and where one had hardly noticed it; like the beautiful wild flowers in the hedgerow, contending with bushes and boars, to shod their fragrance on the unthankful or unthinking traveler going by."
"I think we are sometimes ready to say to the Lord-- Could you not have taught me without subjecting me to so much sorrow and humiliation? The answer I have had is, You could not be effectually taught any other way. "The Lord knows the nature of the obstacle in me which He has to overcome: a less efficient hand might think that it could be dealt with in some other way.
"A weakness be it bodily or otherwise, is sometimes allowed to continue in order that there may be dependence, and when there is dependence, the weakness becomes a gain; the grit-the trying thing-is superseded by a pearl of great price." -J.B.S.
"The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect [mature], establish, strengthen, settle you " (1 Peter 5:10).
Sermon Outline
- The Blesser Sends Trials
- The Nature of Trials
- The Purpose of Trials
- Trials lead to growth and maturity
- Trials result in a greater dependence on God
Key Quotes
“I find the brightest summer is when the winter has been longest and most severe.” — Miles J. Stanford
“A weakness be it bodily or otherwise, is sometimes allowed to continue in order that there may be dependence, and when there is dependence, the weakness becomes a gain; the grit-the trying thing-is superseded by a pearl of great price.” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- We should trust God's sovereignty and purpose in sending trials to us.
- We should view our weaknesses as opportunities for growth and dependence on God.
- We should seek to mature in our faith through the trials we face.