“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”―1 Peter 1:6-86Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:6‑8).
PONDER that expression, “if need be,” and it will throw a flood of light upon God’s ways with His people which often seem perplexing and even inexplicable. For every trial which His children are called upon to endure He has a reason which will some day be made plain. He is working out some purpose in our lives of such a nature that it can only be wrought in the crucible of suffering. When all earth’s experiences are passed and,
“We stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o’er life’s finished story,”
we shall see that there was a need’s be for every painful testing and every heart-break we have been called upon to endure. We shall praise Him then for every hard thing as well as for all the joyous experiences, which we have known as we trod the pilgrim way.
“Helpless tonight, and weary.
Almost too tired to speak,
Now on Faith’s downy pillow
I lay my fevered cheek;
I have a mighty Keeper.
Loving, compassionate, true;
Only to rest, He tells me,
Is all I need to do.
Pain has been my companion
Many a night and day;
Often the gathering shadows
Seemed to surround my way;
Yet I press on, not fearing.
My Father knoweth best;
I leave to Him the planning,
And on Faith’s pillow rest.”