GOD Chastens Purposely And Lovingly.

Why does God afflict us? 
(Ashton Oxenden, "The Blessings and Trials of Sickness" 1863)

"Affliction does not come forth 
from the dust, neither does trouble 
spring forth out of the ground!" Job 5:6

"Just as a parent disciplines a child, 
the LORD your GOD disciplines you 
for your own good." Deuteronomy 8:5

"I know, O Lord, that YOUR laws 
are righteous, and in faithfulness 
YOU have afflicted me!"Psalm 119:75

"As many as I love, I rebuke 
and discipline!" Revelation 3:19

"For whom the Lord loves 
HE chastens, and scourges every 
son whom HE receives."Hebrews 12:6

"I was silent; I would not open 
my mouth, for YOU are the one 
who has done this!" Psalm 39:9
 

Dear Reader, I have come into your 

sick-room, as it were, and wish 

to tell you a few things for your 

comfort and profit.

GOD has seen fit to stop you 

in the midst of your busy life, 

and to lay you aside for a while. 

It is not by chance that HIS afflicting 

hand has fallen upon you. It is not at 

random that HE has chastened you. 

It may seem to be a mere accident 

that you are afflicted, and not another. 

But no; GOD has done it purposely! 

Learn this then--

that your present sickness or 

affliction is from GOD. It is HIS 

doing. HE it is, who has brought 

this present chastisement upon you. 

Not even a sparrow falls to the ground 

without our heavenly FATHER'S ordering, 

and HE prizes HIS redeemed children 

more than many sparrows.

Sickness usually comes as a 

messenger of divine love--

it is sent to be a blessing, and 

may be made, by GOD'S grace, 

a very great blessing to the soul. 

GOD afflicts HIS children because HE 

desires to do them some great good.

The gardener cuts and prunes 

his tree, to make it grow better, 

and bear more precious fruit. 

In the same way, GOD often 

uses HIS sharp knife for some 

gracious purpose.

The wise and loving father thwarts 

his child, and sometimes scourges it, 

for its good. Just so, GOD uses HIS 

chastening rod for the very same reason.

The skillful physician prescribes 

nauseous medicines to restore his 

patient's health. In the same way, 

GOD makes us take HIS bitter 

medicines, though at the time 

they are very distasteful to us.

Why does God afflict us? 

Because HE loves us, and wishes 

to make us holy as HE is holy, and 

happy as HE is happy. For, as it 

has been well said, "Fiery trials 

make golden Christians!" 

GOD had one SON without sin--

but HE never had any son 

without sorrow.

GOD chastens purposely and 

lovingly. Affliction comes from HIM; 

and HE afflicts, not as a stern Judge, 

but as a FATHER and a FRIEND.

Before then you go a step further, 

ask GOD to convince you of this 

precious truth: 

"It is my FATHER who corrects me--

even HE who loves me! 

I will receive this chastisement then 

from HIM, and remember that it is 

a loving hand that smites. I will kiss 

the very rod that scourges me. 

FATHER, not my will, but may 

YOUR will be done!"

A true Christian will receive affliction 

with submission. It is his FATHER'S 

doing; and therefore he quietly submits. 

It comes from HIM, and must therefore 

be well. HE feels that there is a needs-

be for it. What a sweet pillow is this, 

on which to rest his weary head!

"We know that GOD causes all things to 
work together for good to those who love 
GOD, to those who are called according 
to HIS purpose!" Romans 8:28 

  
 ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published Ashton Oxenden's choice 30 page booklet, 
"The Blessings and Trials of Sickness".