Section 16

found in external things but in learning to enjoy God Himself in the midst of trial. Paul and Silas could rejoice and sing His praises while they were in prison because their happiness did not come from outer circumstances but from an inner enjoyment of God (Acts 16:22-25). In Paul's short letter to the Philippians, written dur ing his imprisonment, there are over a score of references to joy. In deep distress he could still be joyful because in his affliction he was learn ing to know Christ, to appropriate Him, and to enjoy Him. Paul's outward circumstances were all conducive to sorrow, but it was in sorrow that Christ was imparted to him as the source of his joy.

Beloved brothers and sisters, do you want to be partakers of the new creation? Do you want to know perennial newness? Then you must give your consent to God when He seeks to lead you through devastating processes. And you need have no fear, for God knows how to apportion suffering. He is an expert at matching our suf fering to our state. He measures all things with unfailing accuracy and selects the particular trial suited to the particular need. He invariably chooses the lot of each one with this goal in view—an increase of the divine content in our

life. If He chastises us, it is always "what is prof itable that we might partake of His holiness" (Heb. 12:10). "All things work together for good to those…who are called according to His pur pose" (Rom. 8:28). What good? It is this, that we may be "conformed to the image of His Son" (v. 29).