The Trial of Man by the Promises of God
Psalm 105:19
Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.


By the "word of the Lord" that "tried him," the psalmist evidently refers to the dreams of his future destiny which were sent to Joseph from God; and in saying that they tried him "until His word came," he evidently means that his faith in those promises was tested by his long imprisonment, until the day of his deliverance dawned.

I. GOD'S PROMISES MUST TRY MAN.

1. By revealing his secret unbelief.

2. That He may accomplish His own purposes of discipline.

II. GOD SENDS THE HOUR OF DELIVERANCE.

1. Sometimes by death. Elijah.

2. Sometimes by transforming the height of trial into the height of blessing. The three youths in Babylon.

3. Sometimes by the glance of love on the failing soul. Peter.

4. Sometimes by continuing the trial, but increasing the power to endure it. Paul.

III. GOD MAKES THE TRIAL BY PROMISE FULFIL THE PROMISE ITSELF. We hope not for an Egyptian kingdom, our dream-vision is of a heavenly inheritance, and the palace of a heavenly King. But every temptation resisted, every mocking voice of doubt overcome, is an aid upwards and onwards. Trials, sufferings, struggles, are angels arraying the soul in the white robes of the heavenly world, and crowning it with the crown that fadeth not away. And when the end comes, then it will be seen that the long dreary endeavour to hold fast the dream-promise — the firm resolute "no" to the temptation to disbelieve, are all more than recompensed with "the exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

(E. L. Hull, B.A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

WEB: until the time that his word happened, and Yahweh's word proved him true.




Joseph's Trial
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