BY FAITH THEY ENDURED AND OBTAINED A GOOD REPORT. By faith they were tried. The design of their enemies by these trials was to draw or drive them from the Lord. Their trials were of the most cruel kind, but they found that, in the Lord, as their day, so was their strength. Brethren, we shall be tempted; Satan is not dead, no, nor yet asleep; the world is not reconciled to godliness; nor are we free from indwelling sin. It is not our sin to be tempted - this is our trial; but it is our sin if we yield. God has promised strength, wisdom and grace; and we should seek these, that we may be able to withstand, and so overcome every trial. We may expect to be tempted daily, for Satan goes about seeking whom he may devour or stumble. If at any moment that we are off our guard, that is the time he is most likely to harm us. Let us keep close to Jesus who is the great Shepherd of the sheep; let us keep our eye on our Father's house; and let us aim in all things at God's glory, and temptation shall not harm us. "Blessed be the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." If the enemy come in like a flood, we may still sing -

For Meditation:
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
Jesus is all my hope and stay;
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.