Sept. 14

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

MARK OF DIVINE APPROVAL

   "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
   shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them
   that love him" James 1:12

   Yes, he is blessed while he is enduring the trial. No eye can see this
   till it has been anointed with heavenly eye-salve. But he must endure
   it, and neither rebel against God, nor turn aside from his integrity.
   He is blessed who has gone through the fire, and has not been consumed
   as a counterfeit.

   When the test is over, then comes the hallmark of divine approval --
   "the crown of life." As if the Lord said, "Let him live; he has been
   weighed in the balances, and he is not found wanting." Life is the
   reward: not mere being; but holy, happy, true existence, the
   realization of the divine purpose concerning us. Already a higher form
   of spiritual life and enjoyment crowns those who have safely passed
   through fiercest trials of faith and love.

   The Lord hath promised the crown of life to those who love Him. Only
   lovers of the Lord will hold out in the hour of trial; the rest will
   either sink or sulk, or slink back to the world. Come, my heart, dost
   thou love thy Lord? Truly? Deeply? Wholly? Then that love will be
   tried; but many waters will not quench it, neither will the floods
   drown it. Lord, let thy love nourish mine to the end.