The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1941-08-14

"SWeet are the uses of adversely"
so says the poet, and it is true
that God is able to make even the
sufferings of man a source of bless
ing and an occasion for joy, "if a
man suffer as Christian" Il Pet.
4:16). In a world where sorrow
and suffering have been heaped
high by mans inhumanity to man,
it is indeed appropriate that we
think of the encouragement which
Gods Word gives to those who are
in distress.
There are many helpful Scripture
passages on this point, those before
us today being from the writings
of Peter to the Jews of the disper-
sion. Scattered abroad and no more
under the guiding and protecting
hand of Paul, Luke and the others,
they were undergoing severe per-
secution for Christ's sake. Some
were apparently disturbed by their
trials, and Peter tells them that
persecution should bring
l. No Surprise (4:12).
We ought to expect trials in this
world; yes, severe fiery trials. Such
things are common to all mankind,
and the Christian should not expect
to escape. To them, such trials are
real tests of their faith, an oppor-
tunity to show to the unbelieving
world that God is able to deliver
those who put their trust in HIM
To be forewarned is to be fore
armed. "Think it not strange con-
corning the fiery trial"
ii. No Shame (4:13-16).
There are two senses in which
the Christian is to be unashamed in
the midst of suffering. In the first
instance, he is not to be ashamed
of the trial itself if he bears it for
Christs sake, for he is thus sharing
Christ's sufferings. We cannot
share in his substitutionary and
sacrifcial suffering on Calvary,
but we can stand with Him who was
indeed "a man of sorrows, and &C
quainted with grief" Elsa. $3.50. In
the second place, he is not to do
anything which would justify others
in making him suffer. 1t is a dis
grace, shame which Injuries the
cause of Christ, when a believer
has to suffer because he has broken
the law, or because he is "a busy
body (R. V. "meddler") in other
mems matters" If you pry into 9TH
ers' affairs, expect to have your
fingers stepped on, and don't expect
God to deliver you out of it or
honor you in that kind of suffering.
iii. No Escape (4:17-19).
If the righteous find the difficult
ties and temptations in their way
to be like fiery trials, if those who
have the blessed presence of Christ
to cheer and to guide them find it
difficult at times to make their
way through sorrow and sadness,
what will the unbeliever do? Does
he think that he shall escape?
Surely not-and there is yet that
day ahead when the believer shall
enter into eternal peace, where sor-
row and suffering shall be no more.
Where will the unbeliever be in that
day?
Nv. No Worry (5:6, y.
put care into Christ's bag" said
George Herbert. Treat your cares
as you treat your sins. Hand them
over to Jesus one by one as they
occur, commit them to Him" IF. B.
Meyer. He really cares about
you-believe it and act upon it.
The cure for all worry is right
there, but even as it is true that
the meek shall "inherit the earth"
(Matt. 5:5), so it is true that only
the humble are ready to cast their
cares on the Lord. God resisteth
the proud, but giveth grace unto the
humble Humble yourselves in
the sight of the Lord, and he shall
lift you up" (James as, 10Y.
v. No Wavering (5:8-1D.
STEADY, perfected and established
in Christ, strengthened by His
grace, sure of the eternal call, and
with the eye of faith on the glory to
come, such is the man who is able
and ready to successfully meet the
devil when, like roaring lion, he
seeks to disturb and devour Gods
people.
Satan is busy in our day. DR.. Will
bur M. Smith says: ut is admitted
everywhere by outstanding Chris
tan leaders, in every sphere of life
today, that there has never been
time, at least in our generation,
when the temptations of Satan have
been so fierce, so frequent, so con-
slant, as just now. What Satan wants
to do is to destroy the testimony of
Gods people, to take them out of
places of power and influence for
the gospel, to rob them of that joy,
and victory, and power, by which,
through their labors, others will be
brought to confess the Lord Jesus
Christ, Christian people today who
are conscious of being fiercely as
sailed by evil ought not to be
alarmed, but should realize that this
experience of theirs is general,
everywhere, of true believers, and
that there is sufficient grace for ev-
cry need in such dreadful times as
fhece -