The righteous Job, who was declared by the Lord Himself as such, was brought through suffering to a higher step of self-knowledge. He stated: “Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:3-6).

Healed of the “disease” of self-esteem through much suffering, Job came to understand God better and to know himself. And when he prayed for his friends who had greatly annoyed him, his life was changed to the glory of the One whom he loved.

Through the brutal, inhuman treatment received from his envious brothers, Joseph became a despised slave. This “school” was necessary for him. Behold what the pen of Inspiration declared: “[Joseph] had learned in a few hours that which years might not otherwise have taught him. . . .

“He then and there gave himself fully to the Lord, and he prayed that the Keeper of Israel would be with him in the land of his exile.

“His soul thrilled with the high resolve to prove himself true to God - under all circumstances to act as became a subject of the King of heaven.”2

Many years later, looking back at his experience, Joseph could say: “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). He accepted with obedience the work of Providence in his suffering.

Naomi, David’s great grandmother, not understanding well enough what was hidden behind her suffering and what was the divine plan amidst her troubles, declared full of bitterness in her soul: “Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:20, 21).

But after Naomi saw the hand of God in all her trials, she could declare in full trust: “Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen” (Ruth 2:20).

“[The Lord’s] love opens a channel into the wounded and bruised soul, and becomes a healing balsam to those who sorrow.”3

David’s throne will be occupied by One about whom we read: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32, 33).

Yes, this man - a man after God’s own heart - was hunted like a beast by the forsaken king of Israel. David shouted: “After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea” (1 Samuel 24:14). In that time of anguish he composed the most beautiful songs, which have brought hope and courage to millions of souls throughout the centuries.

Of course, we cannot forget Moses, Elijah, Paul, the other apostles, and ultimately the martyrs who perished at the stake or in the Roman arenas. “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:36-40).

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

The last great trial stands just before God’s children who will pass through the greatest sufferings ever to be recorded in history. During that dreadful time they will learn to sing a new song, which no one else will know. These overcomers will bear on their forehead the name of Christ and of the Father. Their white garments will express the purity of character developed through the grace of Christ. John the apostle wrote:

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:2, 3).

“Through trials and persecution, the glory - character - of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The church of God, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. They walk in narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are destined to be partakers of His glory. In holy vision the prophet saw the triumph of the people of God. He says, [Revelation 15:2, 3 quoted]. ‘These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them’ (Revelation 7:14, 15).”4

Dear brethren and sisters, let us take to heart the advice of the apostle who says: “Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:5-11).

An old Christian used to say, “If people knew how much suffering is worth, they would make it an object of robbery.”

“God’s providence is the school in which we are to learn the meekness and lowliness of Jesus. The Lord is ever setting before us, not the way we would choose, which seems easier and pleasanter to us, but the true aims of life. It rests with us to cooperate with the agencies which Heaven employs in the work of conforming our characters to the divine model. None can neglect or defer this work but at the most fearful peril to their souls.”5

We, the weakest of the weak, have been called to be tools in the hands of the Lord to the close of this earth’s history. We will have to fight the last, decisive battle. Therefore, let us surrender our heart into the sure hands of our Lord Jesus. Thirsting for His love, clothed with the robe of humility and self sacrifice, “filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19), let us give to the world the message of salvation. May this be our aim as we consider the great sacrifice of our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen!