The following choice excerpts have been gleaned from the writings of Thomas Watson. Be sure to meditate on each one–suck the honey out of these uplifting gems!) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
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AFFLICTIONS – PART TWO
David says, “My times are in Your hand!” Psalm 31:15
If our times were in our own hand–we would have deliverance too soon.
If they were in our enemy’s hand–we would have deliverance too late.
But my times are in God’s hand–and God’s time is ever best.
Deliverance may tarry beyond our time; but it will not tarry beyond God’s time.
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Afflictions work for good, as they conform us to Christ. His life was a series of sufferings–“a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” Isaiah 53:3. He wept, and bled!
Was His head crowned with thorns–and do we think to be crowned with roses?
It is good to be like Christ–though it be by sufferings!\
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God loves a thankful Christian. Job thanked God when He took all away: “The Lord has taken away–blessed be the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21. Many will thank God when He gives. Job thanks Him when He takes away, because he knew God would work good out of it.
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Every bird can sing in spring–but some birds will sing in the dead of winter.
A Christian will bless God, not only in the spring–but in the winter of affliction.
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“His mercies are new every morning!” Lamentations 3:23
Mercy comes in as constantly as the tide.
Nay, how many tides of mercy do we see in one day!
We never eat–but mercy carves every bit to us.
Or drink–but in the golden cup of mercy.
We never travel–but mercy guards our steps.
And never lie down in bed–but mercy draws the curtains of protection close around us.
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Our mercies far outweigh our afflictions.
For one affliction–we have a thousand mercies!
The sea of God’s mercy swallows up our few drops of affliction!
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Affliction quickens the spirit of prayer. Jonah was asleep in the ship–but at prayer in the whale’s belly! Perhaps in a time of health and prosperity we pray in a cold and formal manner; we scarcely minded our own prayers, and how should God mind them?
Then God sends some cross or other affliction to make us take hold of Him. “They poured out a prayer, when Your chastening hand was upon them!” Isaiah 26:15. Now their prayers pierced the heavens! In times of trouble, we pray earnestly and fervently.
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When God puts His children to the school of the cross, He deals with them tenderly.
He will not lay a giant’s burden upon a child’s back.
Nor will He stretch the strings of the instrument too much, lest they should break.
If God sees it good to strike with one hand–He will support with the other.
Either He will make our faith stronger–or render the yoke lighter.
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God loves His people, when He is giving the bitter drink of affliction.
God’s rod and God’s love–they both stand together.
Let us feel God’s hand–so that we may have His heart.
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Afflictions add to the saints’ glory.
The more the diamond is cut–the more it sparkles!
The heavier the saints’ cross is–the heavier shall be their crown!
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