In the Book of Tobias (xii. 6-15) the Archangel
Raphael delivers to the family of Tobias a
model sermon.
He puts in the front the duty of giving glory
to God. "Bless ye the God of Heaven; give glory
to Him in the sight of all that live." He knew that
unless we give glory to God in all our actions, they
are worthless in God's sight. To take the glory to
ourselves instead of giving it to God was the sin
of the Pharisees and of the heathen world. Do I
give glory to God in all my actions?
He recommends prayer as a means of obtaining
a treasure far greater than treasures of gold,
but it must be accompanied (1) with fasting or
some sort of mortification, (2) with almsgiving,
(3) with tears and earnest desires for what we
ask. Such prayers of ours the Angels themselves
offer to God. Such prayers are sure to meet with
an answer from Him. Are these the characteristics
of my prayers?
He tells the aged Tobias that his trials and
temptations, far from being a sign of God's anger,
were on the contrary a sign of His love. "Because
thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that
temptation should prove thee." The troubles that
befell him were sent simply because he was pleasing
in God's sight. We must not therefore despair
if we are sorely tried, but take courage, and regard
it as a proof of God's love.