Ignorance is never bliss, especially in the time of trial. When afflictions and temptations come or friends fail and forsake, only one thing will suffice. That one thing is a heart-knowledge of the Person and promises of God in Him. Trials are bound to come. Even as believers we stand in this life as one stands on the beach and waits for the next wave to crash against them. We do not know exactly when it will come or how strong against us it will be; but we know it's coming. The apostle James said, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (James 1:3) We know by God's word that He has said that our faith would be tried. It must be proved genuine, God-given faith or not. We know that He has promised never to leave us or forsake us, never to put more on us than we're able to bear and to pray and intercede for us that our faith fail not. We know that He has promised that these trials will result in patience. Patience is the confident waiting of faith for God to unfold His purpose in our lives which glorifies Him and works for our spiritual and eternal good. It is waiting upon Him and walking with Him by faith. It is giving thanks to Him in everything and acknowledging His wisdom and grace before this world in all things. What will be our support in all things that come to pass concerning us and ours in this world? It is the glorious knowledge revealed to our minds and hearts by the Spirit of God of those things promised and pledged in Christ in God's Word. "And we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28) How do we know this is what is going on? Because God gave us this knowledge by His Word and Spirit! It is no wonder Paul often said to those to whom he preached and wrote, "I would not have you ignorant brethren..." Oh God, stir our hearts to study the scriptures and to be diligent and faithful to hear your preached word. Let us gather from your word those precious things concerning Christ and all the promises in Him. Then, may the Holy Spirit make of them a healing ointment for us when our hearts are wounded. Give us grace to endure the trying of our faith and to do so "KNOWING!"

Gary Shepard

Free grace! Unmerited mercy! Sovereign love!

No truth shines with clearer luster in the Bible than that salvation, from first to last, is of God. God is sovereign in salvation! He often selects . . . the poorest, the vilest, the most depraved, the most fallen, as if utterly to explode all idea of human merit, and to reflect the free grace of His heart in its richest luster. O precious truth! It stains the pride of human merit! It lays the axe at the root of self! It humbles and abases! It empties and lays low! It ascribes all the praise, honor and glory, might, majesty and dominion, of the new creation in the soul, to the Triune God! No worthiness of the creature allures Him to the sinner's heart! What worthiness can be supposed to exist--what merit can there be in . . . a guilty criminal, an outlawed rebel, a poor insolvent, one whose mind is enmity, one whose heart is swelling with treason against God, His government, and His Son? One who owes millions, but has 'nothing to pay'? None whatever! And that the eternal Spirit should enter the heart of such a one . . . convincing of sin; subduing the hatred; breaking down the rebellion; leading to Jesus, and sealing pardon and peace upon the conscience; oh! what but free grace, unmerited mercy, and sovereign love could thus have constrained Him?

"Lord, what did You see in me," exclaims the converted soul, "that moved You with compassion, that drew You to my heart, and that constrained. You to make me Your child? Nothing on my part, but poverty, wretchedness, and misery! Nothing on Your part, nothing but love, sovereignty, and unmerited favor!"

O the riches of His grace!

Octavius Winslow

Trials are medicines which our great and wise Physician prescribes because we need them. He proportions the frequency and weight of them to what our case requires. Let us trust in His skill and thank Him for His prescription.

John Newton

Can You Embrace The Monster?

He most flees sin, whose eye is riveted upon the Cross. Can he love that which gave those wounds to Christ? Can he embrace the monster, which pierced Jesus' heart? It cannot be! The sight of Calvary slays the love of sin. The Cross unmasks the hideous form, and kindles righteous hate.

Henry Law

REVIVE US AGAIN

We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love,

For Jesus who died and is now gone above.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.

We praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of light,

Who has shown us our Saviour and scattered our night.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.

All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,

Who has borne all our sins and has cleansed every stain.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.

Revive us again - fill each heart with Thy love;

May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!

Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again..