"I Know, O LORD, That YOUR Judgments Are Right

Thomas Watson's choice quotes on affliction
(Thomas Watson)

Affliction is a bitter root--

but it bears sweet fruit!

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God's afflicting rod is a pencil to draw 

CHRIST'S image more distinctly upon us.

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Affliction is GOD'S flail 

to thresh off the husks--

not to consume the precious grain.

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Fiery trials make golden Christians!

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GOD only threshes the precious wheat--

but HE burns the useless chaff.
HE chastens the righteous--

but HE condemns the wicked.

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The godly have some good in them--

therefore the devil afflicts them;
and some evil in them--

therefore GDO afflicts them.

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Afflictions are sharp arrows--

but are shot from the bow 

of a loving FATHER!

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For one affliction--

we have ten thousand mercies!

  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

"Before I was afflicted 

I went astray--but now 

I keep YOUR word!" 

Psalm 119:67 

"It is good for me that 

I have been afflicted--

that I may learn YOUR statutes!" 

Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that 

YOUR judgments are right--

and that in faithfulness 

YOU have afflicted me!" 

Psalm 119:75 

"No chastening 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

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GraceGems has published John Newton's insightful and helpful letter, 

"The advantages of a state of poverty". 

This is a superb treatment of the Biblical teaching on poverty.