What grace it requires when we are misunderstood yet handle it correctly , or when we are judged unkindl y yet receive it in holy sweetness! Nothing tests our character as a Christian more than having something evil said about us. This kind of grinding test is what exposes whether we are solid gold or simply gold-plated meta l.

If we could only see the blessings that lie hidden in our trials, we would say like David, when Shimei cursed him, “Let him curse, for the LORD will return good to me instead of his cursing this day” (2 Samuel 16:1 1–12 NASB).

Some Christians are easily turned away from the greatness of their life’s calling by pursuing instead their own grievances and enemies. They ultimately turn their lives into one petty whirlwind of warfare . It reminds me of trying to deal with a hornet’ s nest. You may be able to disperse the hornets, but you will probably be terribly stung and receive nothing for your pain, for even their honey has no value.

May God grant us more of the Spirit of Christ, who, “when they hurled their insults at him, . . . did not retaliate. . . . Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). A. B. S IMPSON

For you He walked along the path of woe, He was sharply struck with His head bent low . He knew the deepest sorr ow, pain, and grief, He knew long endurance with no r elief, He took all the bitter fr om death’ s deep cup, He kept no blood dr ops but gave them all up. Yes, for you, and for me, He won the fight To take us to glory and r ealms of light. L. S. P .

The apostle writes years afterward of this wonderful silence of the God-man:

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23).

His silence was Divine. No mere human could thus remain dumb and innocent and guiltless, allow Himself to be “led like a lamb to the slaughter,” to be as a sheep dumb in the hand of the shearers. This silence before Pilate and then the silence on the Cross in the midst of untold agony —silence, broken only seven times, with brief words of wondrous meaning—this silence of Jesus was the climax to a life of God-like silence in circumstances when men must speak; a life of silent waiting until He was thirty years of age ere He entered on public ministry and made His lamb-like way to the Cross; a life of silence over glory unspeakable with His Father and suffering untold at the hands of men; of tender silence over blessing to others and over Judas’ traitor path.

This is the pattern for all who would follow His steps; the pattern for the one who would walk as He walked, by His walking again in them. And how can it be? Only by seeing the calling and accepting it (1 Peter 1:15). And by taking His Cross as our Cross, “we having died” in Him and with Him can thus live unto God, and then the silence of Jesus can be known in truth, and we shall be:

Silent in our lowly service among others, not seeking to be seen of men.

Silent over the glory of the hours on the Mount, lest others think of us above that which is written.

Silent over the depths of the Calvary pathway that led us unto God.

Silent over the human instruments permitted of God to hand us over to the judgment hall and the forsaking of our nearest and our dearest.

Silent whilst we stoop to serve the very ones who have betrayed us.

Silent over the deep things of God revealed in the secret places of the Most High, impossible to utter to those who have not yet been baptized with that baptism without which they will be straightened in spiritual perception until it be accomplished.

Silent over questions only to be answered by God, the Holy Ghost, when that day dawns for the questioning heart, and silences all doubt by the glorious revelation of Him who is the answer to all our needs.

Silent when forced by others to some position where apparent rivalry with another much-used servant of God seems imminent, only to be hushed by utter self-effacement, and our silent withdrawal without explanation, irrespective of our rights.

Silent —yea, silent in the judgment hall of our co-religionists, when criticized and falsely accused of many things. TRACT

Live Thou this life in me.

Is not this the carpenter's son?—Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?—Say we not well that thou are a Samaritan, and hast a devil?—He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.—We know that this man is a sinner.—He deceiveth the people.—This man blasphemeth.—Behold a man gluttonous and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.—This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.—If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God.

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.

Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storms.

Christ . . . suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body.

By thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Be ye followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

Be ye angry, and sin not.

The meek . . . shall increase their joy in the Lord , and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, . . . is in the sight of God of great price.

Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.

Follow after meekness.

Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he openeth not his mouth.

Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled reviled not again, . . . but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

Him that judgeth righteously.—We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.—Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.—The soul that sinneth it shall die.

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd.—The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.—Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other.—Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.—The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.—Just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.—Justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; . . . but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.—Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.