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Sociology

Poverty - by James Platt

"Yea, more, with His own hand He seem'd
Intent to aggravate my woe,
Cross'd all the fair designs I schem'd,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

"'Lord, why is this?' I trembling cried;
'Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?
'Tis in this way,' the Lord replied,
'I answer prayer for grace and faith.

"'These inward trials I employ,
From pride and self to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may'st seek thy all in Me."'

This is God's mysterious way of dealing with us. "No trial for the present is joyous but grievous, but after it will work out the peaceable fruits of righteousness." Let us also remember that He will not let any temptation befall us without making a way of escape; and if we suffer painfully, the rod is in the hands of our heavenly Father, Who will not lay it on us above what we are able to bear. " He sits as the refiner of silver." Sitting denotes earnest attention to what is before him. The refiner, in an ancient sculpture, is shown sitting before a furnace watching the pot with the silver. What for? To get rid of the dross; and when the refiner can see his face in the surface he knows the silver is pure. So when the dross is removed, He will see us reflect His face and image; then the furnace is no longer needed; trial has had its purpose - to purify, and then we shall realise the blessing. For " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

"God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform,
He plants His footsteps on the sea,
And rides upon the storm."