God's great design in all his works is to display his own glory. Any aim less than this would be unworthy of himself. But how can the glory of God shine through to fallen creatures like us? Our eye is never single—we're always stealing sideways glances at our own honor, always overestimating our own powers. And so we're not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord.

It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way for God to be exalted. And this is precisely why he brings his people into straits and difficulties. When we're finally made conscious of our own folly and weakness, then—and only then—are we fitted to behold the majesty of God when he comes forth to work our deliverance.

He whose life is one smooth path will see but little of the glory of the Lord. Why? He has few occasions for self-emptying, and therefore little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. Those who navigate little streams and shallow creeks know but little of the God of tempests. But those who "do business in great waters"—these see his "wonders in the deep!"

Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road! It is this which has given you your experience of God's greatness and lovingkindness.

Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means. Your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as he did his servant Moses, that you might behold his glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have brought! Instead, in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of his glory in his wonderful dealings with you.