Frozen Glaciers and Lightning Bolts
Friday, November 14, 2025
“Faith increases in quality, assurance, and intensity the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.” – C.H. Spurgeon
If you thought Charles Spurgeon was “spot on” with yesterday’s devotional message, just wait until you read some of the following pearls of wisdom. They don’t call him the “Prince of Preachers” for nothing!
“Untested faith may be true faith, but it is sure to be small faith, and it is likely to remain little as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: Tempests are her trainers, and bolts of lightning are her illuminators.”
“When a calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship does not move to its harbor; for on a slumbering ocean the keel sleeps too. Let the winds rush and howl, and let the waters lift themselves, though the vessel may rock and her deck may be washed with waves and her mast may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway toward her desired haven.”
“No flowers are as lovely a blue as those that grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam as brightly as those that glisten in the midnight sky; no water tastes as sweet as that which springs up in the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity.”
“Tested faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness if you had not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God’s strength if you had not been supported in the flood.”
Using illustrations as varied as waves and gale-force winds, lightning bolts and frozen glaciers, Spurgeon reminds us that tested faith is the strongest faith. Anyone can say they trust God when the skies are clear and the wind is calm, but it takes the storms of life to prove that our faith is both strong and sincere.
The Apostle Paul knew first-hand the truthfulness of Spurgeon’s statements. He was stoned and shipwrecked, beaten and banished, imprisoned and eventually executed; but each trial only served to deepen his faith and strengthen his resolve. May the same be said about us.
“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
