Although there must be trying experiences, there is also possible to us a great joy as we realise how we may have partnership with our Lord's sufferings— broken with him— with the knowledge and anticipation of being raised with him to cooperate in his future work of blessing. 

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Napoleon's army on one occasion was demoralised, and the general ordered the drummer boy to sound the retreat. The little fellow straightened up with pride and said, "Sir, I don't know how to sound a retreat - I never learned ‑ but I can sound a charge." He sounded the charge. The army rallied and was victorious.

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The White Stone

"To him that overcomes will I give . . . a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receives it." (Rev. 2. 17).

In ancient times the Greeks and the Romans had a custom of noting and perpetuating friendship by means of a white stone. This stone was divided into halves, and each person inscribed his name on the flat surface, after which the parts of the stone were exchanged. The production of either half was sufficient to ensure friendly aid, even from the descendants of those who first divided the stone. A similar custom was sometimes observed by a king, who would break a white stone into two parts, one of which he would retain and the other part give to a special ambassador. That part could be sent to the king at any time and would ensure aid. Thus the divided stone became a mark of identification.

Rev. 2.17 seems to refer to this ancient custom. The white stone signifies a token of the Lord's love, and the new name written in the stone suggests the Bridegroom's name. The statement indicates a special acquaintance with the great King of kings, secret between himself and the individual. Each overcomer is to be recognised as having the personal favour of the Lord. Of this no one will know save himself and the King. There is an individual and personal relationship between the Lord and those who overcome, who may be said to receive the mark of identification ‑ the white stone ‑ now, in this life.

This mark is the sealing of the Holy Spirit by which the Lord identifies the 'overcomers'. While this is said to be a part of the final reward of the Church, yet from the very beginning of our experience we have this personal acquaintance with the Lord. The full seal of the Holy Spirit will be given in the Resurrection, when we receive the new body. Then we shall have the complete knowledge of the name by which we shall be known to the Lord and He to us forever.

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The Apostle says "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations". He does not say "Feel it all joy…" You cannot always rejoice in your circumstances, but you can rejoice in the Lord always. God may not change your circumstances, but He will change you, and give you victory in those circumstances.