“The day is long, and the day is hard,
We are tired of the march and of keeping guard;
Tired of the sense of a fight to be won,
Of days to live through and of work to be done;
Tired of ourselves and of being alone.
“And all the while, did we only see,
We walk in the Lord’s own company;
We fight, but ‘tis he who nerves our arm;
He turns the arrows which else might harm,
And out of the storm he brings a calm.”
We may not always be spared from testing. Though we pray “Bring us not into temptation,” our path will ofttimes lead into the field of conflict. To be kept altogether out of struggles would be to be kept forever children, without strength. Without the discipline of temptation we should be of small use; we could carry no burdens, conquer no difficulties, attain no sublime heights. Nor could we ever become helpers of others in any real sense.
It is an interesting fact that temptation had a large place in the preparation of Jesus Christ for his work as the world’s Redeemer. It is because he was tempted in all points like as we are, that now in glory he can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and can succor those who on the earth are tempted. If we would be a strength to others in their times of struggle, we must endure struggle ourself, so as to know what it means and to be able to give cheer and help to those we find in any sore stress. If we would give courage to those who are fainting, we must first be conqueror ourself.
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