GOD separates the sin which HE hates--
from the soul which HE loves!
(William Nicholson, "Afflictions!"1862)
neither does trouble spring out of the ground.
Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks
fly upward." Job 5:6, 7
Man is born in sin, and therefore born to trouble.
There is nothing in this world we are born to,
and can truly call our own--but sin and trouble!
Actual transgressions are the sparks
which fly out of the furnace of original
corruption. Why then should we be
surprised at our afflictions as strange,
or object to them as severe--
when they are the effects of sin, and
under GOD'S divine superintendence?
under GOD'S divine superintendence?
Afflictions are the common lot of man.
"Man is born to trouble!" These afflictions are . . .
grievous,
various,
numerous,
and successive.
None are exempt from afflictions.
For wherever there is sin, there is trouble.
"Man is born to trouble!"
The poor endure it--
the rich are not exempt.
To the pious, a bitter cup is assigned--
and the wicked too have aching
heads and hearts.
and the wicked too have aching
heads and hearts.
Grandeur, nobility, and royalty--
are also associated with trouble.
The heart of the peasant,
and that of the monarch--
are alike smitten with anguish.
and that of the monarch--
are alike smitten with anguish.
In youth, in middle age, in later life--
there is trouble.
In health, in wealth, in honor, in elevation--
there is trouble.
there is trouble.
In successful enterprise,
in vast financial accumulation,
in places of nobility,
in beautiful mansions, and splendid palaces--
there is no exemption from trouble!
in vast financial accumulation,
in places of nobility,
in beautiful mansions, and splendid palaces--
there is no exemption from trouble!
Go where you will, you will find trouble!
Take the wings of the morning, and fly
to the uttermost parts of the earth,
and even there you will find it.
Enter the deep shades of solitude,
and it is there.
Crown yourselves with royalty;
take the exhilarating wine;
engage in the giddy dance;
listen to entrancing music and
convivial songs; visit the drama,
and other theatric performances--
and you may for a season drown your sorrow.
But the clouds of trouble are sure to gather
over your heads!
take the exhilarating wine;
engage in the giddy dance;
listen to entrancing music and
convivial songs; visit the drama,
and other theatric performances--
and you may for a season drown your sorrow.
But the clouds of trouble are sure to gather
over your heads!
You are born to trouble.
It is your inevitable lot.
You will yet have to sicken,
to suffer, and die!
to suffer, and die!
Brethren, you know that,
trials and sorrows!" John 16:33
Afflictions are designed for chastisement.
Afflictions are designed to awaken--
correct, reform, divert from sin and the world--
and to transfer the affections to Heaven.
They "are for our profit." Hebrews 12:10
By affliction, GOD separates
the sin which HE hates--
from the soul which HE loves!
Two things should comfort believers
under afflictions:
1. That what they suffer is not Hell.
2. That it is all the Hell they shall suffer.
Our enjoyments are greater than our afflictions.
And our afflictions are much less than our sins.
And our afflictions are much less than our sins.
The source of affliction is not
chance or mere natural causes.
does trouble spring out of the ground."
If afflictions came from chance,
there would be nothing wise, intelligent,
reasonable, or good, in them--
they would be dark, confused, and miserable.
Afflictions are Divinely appointed.
Job could say,
for me." (Job 23:14)
David rejoiced to say,
"All my times are in YOUR hand."
(Psalm 31:15)
And Paul comforted the Christians at Thessalonica
by the doctrine of Divine appointment:
"No man should be moved by these afflictions,
for yourselves know that we are appointed
thereunto." 1 Thessalonians 3:3.
That afflictions are appointed by GOD,
is comforting, for it indicates that:
1. Our afflictions will be mingled with mercy.
They are appointed by our gracious FATHER,
who knows our frame, etc. They are sent by
the GOD of love. To one who loves GOD,
it is a great comfort to see HIS hand in
everything that befalls us. It is enough, and
ought to be enough, that it is the LORD'S doing--
let HIM do what seems good unto HIM.
mouth, for YOU are the one who
has done this!" Psalm 39:9
When Job was deprived of all his
substance by the Chaldeans and Sabeans,
he said,
away; may the name of the LORD be praised!"
(Job 1:21)
To have everything ordered and arranged
by GOD, is all that we can desire!
2. Our afflictions are sent in wisdom.
It is highly conciliating to view every separate
event, as a part of GOD'S one all-wise scheme;
and to know that when our plans are frustrated,
GOD'S plans remain unalterably wise. HE knows
what is best for us, and HIS plans never fail!
3. Afflictions are designed to produce
glorious results.
work together for good to those who love GOD,
to those who are called according to HIS
purpose!" Romans 8:28
All our present ills are the seeds of future bliss,
and will be followed by a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory in the kingdom
of GOD'S dear SON.
When such sublime results shall be realized,
we shall perceive that "Affliction does not
come from the dust, neither does trouble
spring out of the ground."
Be submissive. GOD'S design for afflictions
is our sanctification, and eventual glorification.
but painful. Later on, however, it produces
a harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it!" Hebrews 12:11
Afflictions are but blessings in disguise!
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