When Destitute of Joy

 Guest blog by Phoebe Worrall Palmer (1807-1874)

If feeling were the principle commanding religious action, instead of calm, deliberate, steady faith, how often should we be led astray, even when in our most pious moods! Think of the disciples, who, from the impulse of exuberant, pious feeling, desired to have three tabernacles reared, in order that they might ever abide on the mount, alone with the Saviour and his heavenly visitants; unmindful that the work of the Redeemer in saving the world was not yet accomplished, neither the work to which they, as his disciples, were called, in establishing his kingdom. Imagine that the pious feelings with which they were at this time favored had formed the principle of action, what would have been the fate of a lost world?

A destitution of joyous emotion, then, is not destitution of holiness. On receiving an increase of faith, or of any other grace, we ought always to expect the trial of this faith, or whatever grace we may have received, to succeed. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of Satan, immediately after being favored with special tokens of the approval of his heavenly Father. And ought not we, who have purposed to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, to expect to be carried through a process somewhat similar, after having received special tokens of divine approval? Thus it was with you, dear brother; and there are reasons, of which we shall know more when knowledge is made perfect, why it is that God permits Satan to assault so powerfully his chosen ones. It is blessed to know that the veracity of our covenant-keeping God is pledged that we shall not be tempted above that we are able. And it is enough for the servant that he be as his Lord. The violent assault of which you speak, which so quickly succeeded the strong consolation consequent on your faith, was not of forty days' continuance.

Consider the Apostle and High Priest of your profession, "forty days in the wilderness, and with the wild beasts." Did you suffer, being tempted? Think of him: "For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." I am delighted with some remarks of an old writer, which have just met my eye. 

Theophylact observes: 

"One grand end of our Saviour's temptation might be to teach us that when we have consecrated ourselves to God's service, and have been favored with peculiar marks of divine acceptance, and the consolations of his Spirit, we must expect temptations, and to teach us, by our Lord's example, how we may best and most effectually resist them, even by an unshaken faith, 1 Pet. v, 9; and by the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph. vi, 17." — [found in Benson's Commentary.]

"We count them happy which endure." O may this happiness ever be yours! I do not mean to express a wish that you may be ever enduring the fires of temptation, but that you may endure as seeing the Invisible through whatever trials you may be called to pass, remembering that you "are appointed thereunto"....

 

— edited from Faith and It's Effects, Letter No. XVII. — To Mr. K_____.