Before that day was over, the Lord brought some scriptures to mind that a brother preached about---a number of years ago. "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." (Psalms 66:10-12)

The proving, the trying, the confinement, the load, the forceful placement into a state of humility, the fire, the water; must we go through these things in order to reach a wealthy place? Evidently it is required. Read it again, and again and again. Not a word changes. The change must be in our hearts and minds.

What we endure may not be pleasant, to say the least. We may feel we are at the lowest depths of humility, and yet men continue to ride over our heads. "Bite the dust" at a lower level.

Drop down now to verse sixteen: "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." When our brother preached, he often remarked: "This may not be a shouting message, but when you measure up you will shout." When we come out victorious, we want everyone to know about the victory! Maybe we tell our family, our friends, the saints, and even call someone long distance! (smile)

That day, even though the trials were heavy, God gave us great victory---beyond our expectations and anticipations. We wanted others to know what God had done for us. It is impossible to go through a trial without something being done to or for our souls.

Another Psalm states: "Give me a token for good that the wicked may see and be ashamed; for thou, O Lord, hast holpen me." A token is "A sign or symbol; something serving as a sign of authority, identity, genuineness; a keepsake; a piece of stamped metal with a face value higher than its real value, issued as a substitute for currency, for use as a fare on a transportation line."

What tokens do saints hold, which the wicked can see and be ashamed? These tokens must be granted by God because He has helped us obtain victories through Jesus Christ. The tokens are granted during this life and are redeemable at heaven's gate for entrance. Do you have any of these tokens? Do you want them? They are purchased as we go through the fire and water, when God causes people to ride over our heads. "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels." (II Thess. 1:3-7)

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels." (II Thess. 1:3-7)

We see by this scripture, that our patience and faith is the manifest token given us by God in all our persecutions and tribulations. As the token has two sides, the face side is faith and patience, the flip side is persecutions and tribulations. Our eyes may become blinded to the fact that what is written on the token appears to be greater than what we will obtain. However, by accepting this token from God we are able to present it at heaven's gate for entrance. Then in looking back we see the token has flipped and the value has become priceless.

The Church at the time of its infancy had this token of faith and patience as they endured persecutions and tribulations. The Church in its evening time will also receive its token of tribulations and persecutions, with its faith and patience, to use at the gate.

Having said all of this, let me stress that, though tribulations and persecutions may not appear very attractive in this life, God is prepared and well able to make them attractive to our souls, while we are enduring. In so doing, by some mysterious workings of His Holy Spirit, He is able to cause the unsaved, or heathen, to be ashamed of their treatment of us. At the same time we want to collect as many of these tokens as possible so our joy will be great now. Then we will tell others, "Look what God has done for my soul. The riches of His presence are mine. The joy of His salvation is mine. The peace of His abiding is mine."

Now, let us relate another happening. At our work, we changed offices, and someone offered me a nice little two-drawer file cabinet to use in my new location. The drawers were wider than the old one, so I was looking forward to using it. It was several months before the actual move, but I went ahead and moved a few pieces down to that location, including the file cabinet, which I soon filled. When everyone was settled in their new areas, my employer asked if he could use my new file cabinet. I indicated that I really didn't want to give it up, if I had my choice. He said he didn't have to have it for a couple of days. I supposed he would try to find another one.

Then, my immediate supervisor, that very day, had my file cabinet moved out and my old one brought back. I was surprised, but more than that, I was surprised at what was in my heart. I found my peace was bothered, so I tried singing under my breath; no success. I tried praying; no success. Minutes went by and I wasn't getting the victory. I thought about my other glorious victory, and it troubled me to find that a metal, two-drawer file cabinet was such a big thing.

I thought, "My, I didn't know I put such store into that cabinet. It's just metal." But victory didn't come. I rebuked the enemy and said that I was not going to "miss heaven" (smile) over a two-drawer file cabinet, and told him to get out and leave me alone. That brought the victory instantly.

The Lord brought back to us an incident which happened several months before that. We had had victory in some large trial, but then a small thing came up and almost tripped me. How Satan wants to snatch away our victories, whether large or small! If he can't get us one way, he will try another tactic. If you've tried praying, singing, etc., and no victory---try rebuking the evil one.

So, if you have a large trial, watch for a smaller one tucked away some place. If men ride over our heads and we go through fire and water, there will be tokens from God. And remember, there are large, wealthy places in Christ, which are waiting for us. [ The End ]