There is an old proverb that says, "A poor beast that is going homeward goeth cheerfully." Mr. Spurgeon made these comments on that statement. "See how the horse pricks up his ears and quickens his pace when you turn his head to his stable. The proverb saith that even the dull ass doth the same. Much more then should intelligent Christians feel the attraction of their heavenly home. Courage, brothers and sisters; we, too, are homeward bound. Every hour brings us nearer to the 'many mansions.' We are not going from home, or we might hang our heads; our way is toward the Father's house on high, therefore let us rejoice at every step we take." The Necessity of Trials
No child of God is exempt from trials in this life. Christ said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). How do trials benefit us?
1. Trials test our faith. If you profess to believe God, that faith will be tried. Is it God-given faith? Is it genuine? Life's troubles tend to bring out the authenticity of faith or else uncover a false faith. When trials sweep upon us, it is as if the Master asks, "Will ye also go away?" By His grace we answer, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:67-68).
2. Trials drive a believer to seek the Lord's face. Whatever brings us to Him is surely good! O to hide under the shelter of His arms and to spend more time with Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
3. Trials lead believers to consider that eternal day when there shall be no more troubles and no more tears. Then we shall have nothing to occupy our hearts and minds except the majesty and glory of Him Who put away our sins and satisfied divine justice for us.
4. Today's trials prepare us for those which shall come tomorrow. Read the life of Abraham. After he left Ur of the Chaldees he experienced one trial after another, each of which prepared him to face the greatest of them all – "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac...and offer him for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains I will tell thee of" (Genesis 22:2).
5. Trials teach us to trust the providential care of our ever-gracious God. If we really believe that "Of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things" we will trust and not doubt when God in His wisdom sends troubles our way.
6. Trials are times when God proves His faithfulness. To His people the Lord says, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle against thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior" (Isaiah 43:2-3).
7. Trials experienced enable us to benefit others who are called to endure a similar difficulty. It is only after God has graciously seen us through a particular affliction that we can encourage others by speaking of His faithfulness to support and sustain us.
8. Trials give us opportunities to bear evidence that we embrace in our hearts the truths expressed with our lips. If we truly believe God is the Governor of all things, then He must of necessity be sovereign over whatever trials that His children experience. How honoring it is to our Lord when His afflicted children, by patient endurance, give evidence of the reality of the sufficiency of His grace. It is useless to talk about God's sovereign authority and providential care if, when trials come, we complain and, like the man of this world, just go to pieces. God help us to believe, to trust and to rest in the Lord Who maintains our cause, Who governs all things and Who is working everything together for His own glory and the good of His chosen people. "Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief."