Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to test our faith. And if our faith is worth anything, it will stand the test. Fake gold fears the fire, but real gold does not. The counterfeit gem dreads the diamond's scratch, but the true jewel welcomes every test.

Listen! It is a pathetic faith that can only trust God when friends are loyal, the body is healthy, and business is profitable. But that is true faith which grips the Lord's faithfulness when friends have abandoned you, when sickness ravages your body, when depression crushes your spirit, and when God himself seems to have turned away his face. A faith that can declare in the darkest hour, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him"—that is heaven-born faith.

Why does the Lord afflict his servants? To glorify himself! He is greatly glorified in the graces of his people, which are his own handiwork. When "tribulation produces patience, and patience produces character, and character produces hope"—the Lord is honored by these growing virtues.

Think about it. We would never know the music of the harp if the strings were never struck. We would never taste the wine if the grapes were never crushed in the winepress. We would never smell the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were never pressed and beaten. We would never feel the warmth of fire if the coals were never consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are revealed through the trials his vessels of mercy endure.

And here is another truth: present afflictions also heighten future joy. Every painting needs shadows to make the light shine brighter. Tell me—could we ever appreciate the supreme blessedness of heaven if we had never known the curse of sin and sorrow on earth? Will not peace be infinitely sweeter after the battle? Will not rest be more welcome after the toil? Won't the memory of past suffering make the bliss of glory even more glorious?

There are many more comforting answers to the question with which we opened our meditation. Let us meditate on them all day long.