Psalm 107:7

Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to inquire, “Why is it this way with me?” I looked for light, but instead, darkness came; for peace, but instead, trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain stands firm; I shall never be moved. Lord, you hide your face, and I am troubled.

It was only yesterday that I could read my title clear; today my evidences are dimmed, and my hopes are clouded. Yesterday, I could climb to Pisgah’s top, view the landscape over, and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; today, my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but much distress.

Is this part of God’s plan for me? Can this be the way in which God would bring me to heaven? Yes, it is indeed so. The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope—all these things are but parts of God’s method of making you ripe for the great inheritance upon which you shall soon enter.

These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith—they are waves that wash you further upon the rock—they are winds which waft your ship more swiftly towards the desired haven. According to David’s words, so it might be said of you, So he bringeth them to their desired haven.

By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, by plenty and by poverty, by joy and by distress, by persecution and by peace—by all these things the life of your souls is maintained, and by each of these you are helped on your way.

Oh, do not think, believer, that your sorrows are outside of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it. We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom. Learn, then, even to count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.

“O let my trembling soul be still,
And wait your wise, your holy will!
I cannot, Lord, your purpose see,
Yet all is well since ruled by you.”