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AFFLICTIONS – PART ONE
God’s people have no charter of exemption from trouble in this life.
While the wicked are kept in sugar–the godly are often kept in brine.
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A sick bed often teaches more than a sermon.
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Time is short! 1 Corinthians 7:29
If our lives are short, then our trials cannot be long!
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Afflictions quicken our pace in the way to Heaven.
Though the cross is heavy, we have but a little way to carry it.
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Affliction is the touch-stone of sincerity. “You, O God, have proved and have tried us as silver is tried . . . You laid affliction upon us” Psalm 66:10, 11. Hypocrites may embrace religion in prosperity, but he is a true Christian who will keep close to God in a time of suffering. Therefore “All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten You!” Psalm 44:17
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The stones which are cut out for a building are first hewn and squared. Because The godly are called “living stones” 1 Peter 2:5. God first hews and polishes them by affliction, that they may be fit for the heavenly building. The house of bondage prepares for the house not made with hands.
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Afflictions on the godly make them better–but afflictions on the wicked make them worse.
Because The godly pray more. Psalm 130:1.
The wicked blaspheme more, “Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God!” Revelation 16:9
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Affliction of the godly is like bruising spices, which are most sweet and fragrant.
Affliction of the wicked is like pounding weeds, which makes them more unsavory.
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When affliction or death comes to a wicked man, it takes away his soul.
When it comes to a godly man, it only takes away his sin, “We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world!” 1 Corinthians 11:32
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Affliction works out sin–and works in grace.
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Afflictions work for good. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted!” Psalm 119:71
Joseph’s brethren throw him into a pit;
afterwards they sell him;
then he is cast into prison
–yet all this worked for his good!
“You thought evil against me–but God meant it unto good!”
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King Manasseh was bound in chains; this was sad to see–a crown of gold, exchanged for fetters. But it wrought for his good, for, “So the LORD sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God!” 2 Chronicles 33:11-13
Manasseh was more indebted to his iron chain, than to his golden crown!
The one made him proud–the other made him humble.
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God sweetens outward pain, with inward peace.
“Your sorrow shall be turned into joy!” John 16:20
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God’s afflicting rod has honey at the end of it!
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