Indeed, he is in trouble--but he is not in Hell!
(Charles Bridges, "Psalm 119". This one is longer,
but will be very profitable for those undergoing
severe trials of any kind.)
judgments are right, and that in
faithfulness YOU have afflicted
me!" Psalm 119:75
This is the Christian's acknowledgment:
he is fully satisfied with GOD'S
ordering of his affairs.
The LORD'S dealings are
called his judgments--
not as having judicial curses--
but as the acts of HIS justice
in the chastening of sin and
in the administration of their
measure and application.
In regard to himself, David
acknowledges the LORD'S
particular faithfulness. And this
he knew, not from the dictates
of the flesh (which give
the exact opposite verdict)--
but from the testimony of
the Word and the witness
of his own experience.
It could not be doubted, much less denied,
"I know, O LORD, that YOUR rules
of proceeding are agreeable to YOUR
perfect justice and wisdom. I am equally
satisfied that the afflictions which YOU
have laid upon me from time to time,
are only to fulfill YOUR gracious and
faithful promise of making me eternally
happy in YOURSELF."
How blessed is the fruit of affliction,
when we can see GOD in it--
that HE is of great compassion and
of tender mercy; that HIS thoughts
toward us are thoughts of peace,
and not of evil!
This is a difficult, but most comforting
lesson in deciphering the mysteries
of GOD'S providence.
Under the severest chastisement,
the child of GOD must acknowledge
divine justice. Our gracious reward
is always more, and our
chastisement always less--
than our iniquities deserve.
a man for the punishment of his sins?"
(Lamentations 3:39)
Indeed, he is in trouble--
but he is not in Hell!
If he complains, then let it be
of no one but himself and his
own wayward choices.
YOUR judgments are right,"
and who can doubt
GOD'S perfect wisdom?
Who would charge the surgeon
with cruelty, in cutting out
the cancerous flesh that was
bringing death upon the man?
Who would not acknowledge
the right judgment of his
piercing work?
So when the LORD'S painful work . . .
separates us from our sin,
weans us from the world,
and brings us nearer to HIMSELF--
what remains for us, but thankfully to
acknowledge HIS faithfulness and love?
The assurance of the LORD'S
perfect justice, wisdom, and intimate
knowledge of our respective cases--
leads us to yield to HIS ordering
of our affairs in filial silence.
Thus Aaron, under his most grievous
domestic calamity, "held his peace."
Job, under a similar painful
dispensation, was enabled to say,
has taken away. Blessed be
the name of the LORD!" (Job 1:21b)
Eli's language in the same trial was,
seems good to HIM." (1 Samuel 3:18b)
David hushed his impatient spirit, saying,
"I was silent, I did not open my mouth,
because YOU are the one who has
done this!"
And when Shimei cursed him, he said,
for the Lord has ordered him."
(2 Samuel 16:11b)
Hezekiah kissed the rod, while
it was smiting him to the dust,
you have spoken, is good." (Isaiah 39:8)
This is the consistent language of the
LORD'S people under chastisement:
LORD'S people under chastisement:
judgments are right!"
The confession of justice may, however,
be mere natural conviction. Faith goes
further and speaks of divine faithfulness.
David not only acknowledges GOD'S
right to deal with him as HE saw fit,
and HIS wisdom in dealing with him
as HE actually had done--
but he saw also GOD'S
faithfulness in afflicting--
not faithfulness though HE afflicted--
but IN afflicting him; not as if it were
simply consistent with HIS love--
but that it was the very fruit of HIS love!
Just so, it is not enough for us
to justify GOD in HIS providential
dealings with us. We have abundant
cause to thank and praise HIM!
It is not enough to cease from
murmuring at GOD'S afflictive
dealings with us. We must realize
that they are a faithful display
of HIS mercy and love to us!
Yes, the trials appointed for us,
are nothing less than the faithful
performance of GOD'S everlasting
promises. And to this cause, we may
always trace the reason of much that
is painful to the flesh, even though
it may not be apparent to our eyes.
If we determine to take note of its
gracious effects in our restoration--
needful instruction, healing of our
backslidings, and the continual
purging of sins--
then we can say,
"The faithfulness of GOD
is gloriously displayed!"
The Philistines could not
understand Samson's riddle--
how meat could come out
of the eater, and sweetness
come out of the strong.
of the eater, and sweetness
come out of the strong.
In the same way the world
can little comprehend
the fruitfulness of GOD,
in the Christian's trials--
how his gracious LORD can
sweeten the bitter waters, and
make the painful affliction--
the remedy of sin.
The Christian, then, finds no inclination
in having any change made in the LORD'S
providential appointments, distasteful
as they may be to the flesh.
He readily acknowledges that GOD'S
merciful designs could not have been
accomplished in any other way.
Under such painful trials, many sweet
tokens of divine love are granted--
which under circumstances of outward
prosperity, could not have been received
with the same gratitude and delight.
Affliction is the special token
of our heavenly FATHER'S love.
It brings us into conformity to the
image of JESUS, and prepares us
for HIS service and kingdom.
of our heavenly FATHER'S love.
It brings us into conformity to the
image of JESUS, and prepares us
for HIS service and kingdom.
Affliction is the only blessing
that the LORD gives without
requiring us to ask for it.
We receive it, therefore, as
promised, not as threatened.
requiring us to ask for it.
We receive it, therefore, as
promised, not as threatened.
When the "peaceable fruits of
righteousness," which it brings
about in GOD'S time and way,
spring up in our hearts--
then humbly and gratefully we
will acknowledge the righteousness
of HIS judgments and the faithfulness
will acknowledge the righteousness
of HIS judgments and the faithfulness
of HIS corrections.
You who are living at ease
in the indulgence of what
this poor world can afford--
in the indulgence of what
this poor world can afford--
how little does the Christian
envy your portion!
In some future day, you will
surely be taught by experience
to envy his!
To the Christian, the world's
riches are daily becoming poorer,
and its pleasures more tasteless.
And what will they be, and how will
they appear, when eternity is at hand!!
"No discipline seems pleasant
at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest
of righteousness and peace for
those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11
at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest
of righteousness and peace for
those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11
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