The Purpose of Trials
Octavius Winslow (1808-1878) was a British nonconformist minister and contemporary of Charles Spurgeon. Winslow lived a life of faithful ministry, leading congregations in Warwickshire, Bath, and Brighton.
In addition to his work as a minister, Winslow authored multiple books and hymns.
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” 1 Peter 4:12
Trial is necessary to promote fruitfulness.
Yes, trial is not a strange thing. Common to all, it is yet more common in the history of God’s people. There are many reasons why trials shouldn’t not be considered strange; one is given in the passage under consideration: “The trial that is to try you.” Trial is necessary to promote fruitfulness, to test our hope, and to eliminate the precious from the vile in the kingdom of God within us and the purity of divine grace from the corruption of fallen nature.
Nor should we regard trial and affliction as a strange thing since it is the appointed and beaten path of all the saints who have either safely arrived or are winding their pilgrim way home to God. “But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons” Hebrews 12:8. And again the apostle Peter says, “Knowing the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world” 1 Peter 5:9.
Standing between the wrath of God and the hatred of man, and enduring both to its utmost strength and extremity, never was anyone so acquainted with grief as Jesus was.
Even more, trial is not a strange thing since our blessed Lord Himself was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” Isaiah 53:3. Significant and instructive words! No one was ever as intimate or closely acquainted with grief as Jesus. He was acquainted with it in every form, met its every aggravation, and tasted its every bitter shape. Standing between the wrath of God and the hatred of man, and enduring both to its utmost strength and extremity, never was anyone so acquainted with grief as Jesus was. So do not think it strange, beloved “concerning the fiery trial that is to try you,” since the members must be conformed to the Head and, the flock, even the “flock of slaughter” Zechariah 11:4 must follow the Shepherd wherever He goes.
shall we not drink the cup our Father has given us?
In such illustrious company as this, and identified in suffering with a Savior so precious, shall we not drink the cup our Father has given us with sweet submission to His righteous and sovereign will? Shall we shrink from the knife that only prunes or from the fire that only refines, increasing our holiness and so promoting our happiness and usefulness here, and by the same discipline advancing our fitness to take our place before the throne with those who have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb?