The document discusses how thorns (trials and tribulations) can produce glory when one trusts in God. It provides examples of hymn writers who experienced great hardships but found strength in their faith, producing well-known hymns. While people suffer trials like family issues, illness and loss, God promises his grace and comfort. Through perseverance and developing Christian character during hard times, one can gain hope in God that does not disappoint.

1. THORNS & ROSES
The TRIALS and TRIUMPHS of FAITH
© Margaret Lepke ~ www.DrLepke.com.au ~ www.BiblicalPublications.org

4. Elise and Joe
Have suffered for a long
time.
They have a son who is
addicted to drugs.

5. Mary’s Daughter
Is about to move out
to live with her non-
Christian boyfriend.

6. Melanie
Has a wonderful
husband and three
young children –
She has just found
out that she has
terminal cancer.

7. All these thorns - and yet a blind man could say…
My God,
I have never thanked You for my thorns.
I have thanked You a thousand times for my
roses, but not once for my thorns.
I have been looking forward to a
world where I shall get compensation
for my cross; but I have never thought
of my cross as itself a present glory.
Teach me the glory of my cross;
Teach me the value of my thorn!

8. THE APOSTLE PAUL ONCE SAID:
A thorn in the flesh was given
to me, a messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I be exalted above
measure.
2 Corinthians 12:7

9. Concerning this thing, I pleaded
with the Lord three times that it might
depart from me.
And He said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect
in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9

10. Rejoice in hope of the glory of God
because we have been justified by faith
and therefore have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ
But also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces
perseverance;
and perseverance produces character;
and character produces hope;
and hope does not disappoint!
Romans 5:1-5 (paraphrased)

11. Perfected by God Himself

12. God has not left us alone
to suffer the thorns…
Jesus promised:
I will ask the Father, and He will give
you another Comforter, that He may
abide with you forever – the Spirit
of truth, whom the world cannot
receive.
[John 14:16-17]

13. Four Examples of Well-Known Hymn Writers:
What a friend
We have
In Jesus
O Love that
Will not let me go
He lives
When the roll is
Called up yonder
Joseph Scriven George Matheson
Alfred Ackley James Black

14. A Life Full of Thorns
Joseph Scriven
Had more thorns
In his life than roses…
He survived two brides,
Never married,
And at age 67 died from
Drowning by misadventure.
And yet ye wrote:
What a friend we have in Jesus
Joseph Scriven (1819-1886)

15. WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
What a friend we have in Jesus
All ours sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Words Joseph Scriven (1819-1886); Music Charles Converse (1832-1918)

16. Blind preacher George Matheson was
saved from suicide
By trusting in God
Despite his trials, he could say:
My God,
I have never thanked You
For my thorns…
And then he wrote:
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
George Matheson
(1842-1906)

17. Think again about what he said…
My God,
I have never thanked You for my thorns.
I have thanked You a thousand times for my
roses, but not once for my thorns.
I have been looking forward to a
world where I shall get compensation
for my cross; but I have never thought
of my cross as itself a present glory.
Teach me the glory of my cross;
Teach me the value of my thorn!

18. O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO
O Love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in Thee
I give Thee back the life I owe
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer - fuller be
Words George Matheson (1842-1906); Music Albert Peace (1844-1912)

19. O Joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to Thee
I trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be
Words George Matheson (1842-1906); Music Albert Peace (1844-1912)

20. The Question of an Unbeliever
This story is a rose amidst the thorns
A Jewish friend asked:
WHY SHOULD I WORSHIP
A DEAD JEW?
And Ackley spontaneously answered:
BECAUSE HE LIVES!
And thus this song was born.
Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960)

21. HE LIVES
I serve a risen Saviour
He's in the world today
I know that he is living
Whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy
I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him
He's always near
Words & Music Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960)

22. He lives - He lives
Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way
He lives - He lives
Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives
He lives within my heart
CHORUS
Words & Music Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960)

23. Bessie’s Story
A little girl gave her life to
Christ and faithfully attended
Sunday School. But one day
there was no response to
the usual ‘yes’ at the roll call.
A few days later she died
and her roll call was answered
in heaven. Black wrote this
song, which was first sung
at Bessie’s funeral:
When the roll is
Called up yonder
I’ll be there!
James M Black (1856 – 1938)

24. WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER
…I’ll be there!
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound
And time shall be no more
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair
When the saved of earth shall gather
Over on the other shore
And the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there
Words and Music: James M. Black (1856-1938)

25. CHORUS:
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there!
Words and Music: James M. Black (1856-1938)

26. When the roll is called up
yonder…
Will you be there?

27. John 3:16
For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten
Son, that WHOSOEVER believes
in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life.
Revelation 20:15
(Great White Throne Judgment)
And WHOSOEVER was NOT
found written in the Book of
Life was cast into
the lake of fire.

28. Finally, a word about attitude:
Godly success is NOT about fame in this world,
nor riches, but about trusting in God and
following His ways.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And lean not on your own
understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He shall direct your paths. Prov.3:5-6

29. ATTITUDE
A LWAYS AND FOREVER
T RUSTING ONLY HIM
T O BE THE ONE WHO LEADS US
I N WHOM THERE IS NO SIN
T O FOLLOW HIM MORE CLOSELY
U NTILL WE MEET HIM THERE
D ONE WITH ALL OUR EARTHLY PAIN
E TERNITY TO SHARE
© Judi Young, 2010

30. MAY YOUR LIFE BE
FILLED WITH BLESSINGS AND JOY!
Presented by Margaret Lepke
www.DrLepke.com.au ~ www.BiblicalPublications.org