Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

earnestness, then, should we seek God, that He may open our understanding
to comprehend the truths brought to us from heaven.
Daniel was a devoted servant of the Most High. His long life was filled
up with noble deeds of service for his Master. His purity of character and
unwavering fidelity are equaled only by his humility of heart and his
contrition before God. We repeat, The life of Daniel is an inspired
illustration of true sanctification.
God Tests Those Whom He Values
The fact that we are called upon to endure trial proves that the Lord
Jesus sees in us something very precious, which He desires to develop. If He
saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name He would not spend
time in refining us. We do not take special pains in pruning brambles. Christ
does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He
tests.
To men whom God designs shall fill responsible positions, He in mercy
reveals their hidden defects, that they may look within and examine critically
the complicated emotions and exercises of their own hearts, and detect that
which is wrong; thus they may modify their dispositions and refine their
manners. The Lord in His providence brings men where He can test their
moral powers and reveal their motives of action, that they may improve what
is right in themselves and put away that which is wrong. God would have
His servants become acquainted with the moral machinery of their own
hearts. In order to bring this about, He often permits the fire of affliction to
assail them that they may become purified. "But who may abide the day of
His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a
refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier
of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and
silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."
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