[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0410":3},"APRIL 10\r\nShow me wherefore thou contendest with me (Job 10.2).\r\nPerhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy\r\ngraces. There are some of thy graces which would never have been\r\ndiscovered if it were not for the trials. Dost thou not know that\r\nthy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too oft like a glowworm, showing but little fight\r\nexcept it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is  like a star-not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only\r\n\r\nto be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often\r\nthe black folds in which God doth set the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better.\r\nIt was but a little while ago that on thy knees, thou wast saying, \"Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.\"\r\nWas not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?-for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy\r\nfaith is exercised? Depend upon it God often sends us trials that\r\nour graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their\r\nexistence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials.\r\nGod trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by\r\nturning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers and\r\nclimb mountains, and walk many a weary mile with heavy knapsacks on\r\ntheir backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing.? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you? --C. H. Spurgeon.\r\nTo be left unmolested by Satan is no evidence of blessing.",1783499792051]