When you knew nothing of revealed light, you knew not revealed darkness. Now we are given to see how to do this in part, and, as far as we see, let us be thankful for the gift. It seems, then, that difficulties in revelation are especially given to prove the reality of our faith . Difficulties in revelation mainly contribute to this end. They are stumbling-blocks to proud and unhumbled minds, and were intended to be such.
Faith is unassuming, modest, thankful, obedient.
It receives with reverence and love whatever God gives, when convinced it is His gift. But when men do not feel rightly their need of His redeeming mercy, their lost condition and their inward sinfulness, when, in fact, they do not seek Christ in good earnest, in order to gain something, and do something, but as a matter of curiosity, or speculation, or form, of course these difficulties will become great objections in the way of their receiving His word simply. And our Lord's conduct through His ministry is a continued example of this. Thou hast the words of eternal life. Here is the trial of faith, a difficulty .