All our afflictions are appointed
by our loving heavenly FATHER!
for YOU are the one who has done this!"
Psalm 39:9
Realizing that it was the chastening hand
of GOD upon him, David refrained
from murmuring. It was not the silence
of sullenness, but of meekly acquiescing
to the rod. When we are in our right minds,
we shall have nothing to object against GOD'S
dealings with us, or dispute with them.
GOD is sovereign in the acts of HIS providence--
and therefore an important branch of our
obedience unto HIM lies in suffering
HIS will, as well as in doing HIS will.
That obedience is evidenced by refusing
to repine against HIM by the utterance
of any impatient words.
Shall vile dust and ashes censure
the providential dealings of the Most
High GOD, or impugn HIS goodness?
Let all GOD'S treatment of us be both
wondrous and righteous in our eyes.
"If our hope is in GOD for a
happiness in the eternal world--
then we can well afford to
reconcile ourselves to all
the dispensations of Divine
providence concerning this world."
(Matthew Henry)
The consideration that all our afflictions
are appointed by our loving heavenly
FATHER, should silence all complaints.
It did so with David. He knew they
came not by chance, but according
to divine appointment.
After months of acute suffering, and
still in agony of body, the last words
of John Calvin were, "LORD, YOU
grind me to powder, but it suffices
me because it is YOUR hand."
that we may share in his holiness.
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 12:10-11
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