Benefits Derived from Oppositions and Difficulties

Every Christian in the world is, at some time and some point, made to ask himself the following question: "Why do so many trials and difficulties cross one's path when he becomes a Christian and starts to heaven" This no doubt has perplexed and puzzled many a struggling soul. However, there are two things that we are to ever bear in mind. First, man is a fallen creature, living in a sin-blighted, sin-cursed, and God-cursed world. Hence, if he had justice, he would be in hell with the rich man crying for water to cool his tongue. Second, we must remember, no matter how bitter the cup may be which the world presses to our lips, or how thickly the world may set our pillow with thorns, God is too wise to err in judgment and too loving to impose upon or treat us unkindly.

Ofttimes, when in the furnace,

I'm tempted to repine,

But see in all God's dealings

He aims to make me shine. 

My patience oft is tested

'Neath tribulation's staff;

But God Is only trying

To separate the chaff. 

Let us next observe some benefits brought to the child of God through the medium of Opposition and Difficulties.

First, they test our loyalty and prove our sincerity. God is not satisfied with simply a verbal statement-"Lord, I will follow Thee wheresoever Thou goest"-but He puts us to the test, as He did the man when He told him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head" (Matt. 8: 20). After God brought the children of Israel on the border-land of Canaan, He told them why He had led them through a certain test. "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, TO HUMBLE thee, and to PROVE THEE, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no" (Deut. 8:2).

A second benefit that comes to the soul through Opposition and Difficulties is that they strengthen and develop character. If we were exempted from all crosses, trials, and opposition, we would have no moral backbone and strength of character. Our piety would be like that of infants, which has never been proved or tested, but is perpetuated through ignorance and restraint. What the "punch bag" is to the pugilist, trials and opposition are to the holy soul. They are sent to develop muscle, i. e., strength, character.

A third benefit Opposition and Difficulties bring to the soul is, they keep it in constant communion with God as nothing else does. We must remember that joy and ecstasy do not bring the soul into the place of constant communion as quickly as do trials and difficulties. No Christian is greatly bestirred to dig deeper in God when he is blessed and happy. But it takes the headwinds, the heavy crosses, the hard fights, and the great soul-pressure to keep us often and long upon our knees. It was when Israel was contrary, disobedient, and oppressive that Moses was caused to make constant visits to the tabernacle to converse with God; but when things were running smoothly he did not make such constant visits. Just so it is with us. It was the opposition and persecution met from the Pharisees and scribes that caused the disciples to pray for strength and boldness to preach Jesus, and in answer to their prayer they received another great outpouring of the Spirit. They no doubt would never have gotten this second outpouring if they had not been opposed by their enemies.

A fourth benefit derived from opposition and pressure is, they leave a peculiar sweetness, tenderness, and mellowness in our spirits, that nothing else does. There is something about suffering and hardships that breaks the alabaster box of our crude natures and causes us to send forth a sweet odor of meekness, gentleness, longsuffering, compassion, sympathy, kindness, and heavenly refinement, that is rarely met with upon earth. 

He's doing the best for me

To make me happy and free.

Though often I am tempted to murmur

He's doing the best for me.