"Blessed
is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" James 1:12
Yes, he is blessed while he is enduring the trial. No eye
can see this till it has been anointed with heavenly eye-salve. But he must
endure it, and neither rebel against God, nor turn aside from his integrity. He
is blessed who has gone through the fire, and has not been consumed as a
counterfeit.
When the test is over, then comes the hallmark of divine
approval -- "the crown of life." As if the Lord said, "Let him live; he has been
weighed in the balances, and he is not found wanting." Life is the reward: not
mere being; but holy, happy, true existence, the realization of the divine
purpose concerning us. Already a higher form of spiritual life and enjoyment
crowns those who have safely passed through fiercest trials of faith and
love.
The Lord hath promised the crown of life to those who
love Him. Only lovers of the Lord will hold out in the hour of trial; the rest
will either sink or sulk, or slink back to the world. Come, my heart, dost thou
love thy Lord? Truly? Deeply? Wholly? Then that love will be tried; but many
waters will not quench it, neither will the floods drown it. Lord, let thy love
nourish mine to the end.