Our heavenly Father sends us troubles to test our faith. If our faith is genuine, it will endure. Gilt fears fire, but gold doesn’t. A fake jewel dreads the diamond, but a true one fears no test. Faith that only trusts God when life is smooth is weak.

True faith holds on to the Lord when friends are gone, the body is sick, spirits are low, and it feels like God is absent. A faith that says, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," comes from heaven. God allows trials to glorify Himself, and He is honored by the growth of our faith, His own handiwork. When hardship brings patience, patience brings experience, and experience brings hope, God is glorified.

We wouldn't know the music of a harp if its strings were never touched, or enjoy grape juice without a winepress. We wouldn't find cinnamon's sweet fragrance if it weren't pressed, or feel warmth without the consumption of coals. The Master’s wisdom and power shine through the trials His people endure. Current troubles make future joy richer. Dark shadows in a painting bring out the beauty of the light.

Would we enjoy heaven’s blessings if we hadn't known sin’s curse and earth’s sorrow? Isn’t peace sweeter after conflict and rest more welcome after work? Won’t past sufferings make heaven’s bliss even more cherished? Let's reflect on this throughout the day.