God’s lancet!

God’s lancet!

“The Preciousness of Trial” by Octavius Winslow

Trials are a precious discipline, a precious correction,

a precious school, that lead you more fully into the

heartfelt experience of the preciousness of the Saviour.

Trials make you more intimately acquainted with

your best Friend, your dearest Brother, the tender,

sympathising Beloved of your soul.

You will know more of Jesus in one sanctified

trial, than in wading through a library of volumes,

or listening to a lifetime of sermons.

Sanctified trial opens an outlet for the escape

of much ‘soul distemper’. Deep rooted, hidden

and long pent up evil, the existence of which

has been as a fretting sore, inflaming, irritating,

and impairing the whole spiritual constitution

of the soul, has by this process been thrown

off, and thus a more wholesome state and

healthful action has come.

Oh, what selfishness,

what carnality,

what rebellion,

what worldliness,

what secret declension,

has God’s lancet brought to light, revealing

it but to inspire self abhorrence, sin loathing,

and sin forsaking.

All of this is the costly fruit of a deeply sanctified trial.

Oh, precious trial! Oh, heaven sent affliction! that

breaks down the barriers, removes the restraints,

thaws the congealings that intercept and interrupt

my fellowship with God.

Our heavenly Father loves to hear the voice of

His children; and when that voice is still, when

there is a suspension of heart communion, and

the tones are silent which were wont to fall as

music upon His ear, He sends a trial, and then

we rise and give ourselves to prayer.

Perhaps it is a perplexity, and we go to Him for counsel.

Perhaps it is a need, and we go to Him for supply.

Perhaps it is a grief, and we go to Him for soothing.

Perhaps it is a burden, and we go to Him for upholding.

Perhaps it is an infirmity, and we go to Him for grace.

Perhaps it is a temptation, and we go to Him for help.

Perhaps it is a sin, and we repair to Him for pardon.

But whatever form the trial takes, it has a voice,

“Rise, and call upon your God!” and to God it brings us.

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