Streams in the Desert December 27 Daily Devotional

His soul entered into iron (Psalm. 105:18).
Turn that about and render it in our language, and it reads thus, "Iron entered his soul." Is there not a truth in this? That sorrow
and privation, the yoke borne in the youth, the soul's enforced
restraint are all conducive to an iron tenacity and strength of
purpose, and endurance or fortitude, which are the indispensable foundation and framework of a noble character.
Do not flinch from suffering; bear it silently, patiently,
resignedly; and be sure that it is God's way of infusing iron into your spiritual life. The world wants iron dukes, iron battalions,
iron sinews, and them of steel. God wants iron saints; and since there is no way of imparting iron to the moral nature but by
letting people suffer, He lets them suffer.
Are the best years of your life slipping away In enforced
monotony'.? Are you beset by opposition, misunderstanding, and
scorn, as the thick undergrowth besets the passage of the woodsman pioneer? Then take heart the time is not wasted; God is only
putting you through the iron regimen. The iron crown of suffering precedes the golden crown of glory. And iron is entering into your soul to make it strong and brave. --F. B. Meyer.
But you will not mind the roughness nor the steepness of the way, Nor the chill, unrested morning, nor the searness of the day;
And you will not take a turning to the left or the right,
But go straight ahead, nor tremble at the coming of the night, For the road leads home.