C.H. Spurgeon: 'Faith never prospers so well!'

 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the trial of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7

Untried faith may be true faith—but it is sure to be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarfish so long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well, as when all things are against her.

When a calm reigns on the sea—you may spread the sails as you will, but the ship will not move to its harbor. Only let the winds rush howling forth—it is then that she makes headway toward her desired haven.

No stars gleam so brightly—as those that glisten in the polar sky,
no water tastes so sweet—as that which springs up amid the desert sand,
and no faith is so precious—as that which lives and triumphs in adversity.

Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness, had you not been compelled to pass through the rivers of difficulty. Just so, you would never have known God's strength, had you not been supported amid the flood-waters. Faith increases in solidity, assurance and intensity—the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious, too.

Source: Spurgeon Treasures - Grace Gems