The two birds!
(J.R. Miller, "Finding God's Comfort" 1896)
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"Behold, happy is the man whom GOD
corrects; therefore do not despise
the chastening of the Almighty." Job 5:17
He is not happy at the time, at least,
in the world's way. No affliction for
the present seems to be joyous--
but grievous. No one enjoys having
troubles, sufferings, trials, sorrows.
Therefore this statement made by Eliphaz
appears very strange to some people.
They cannot understand it. It is contrary
to all their thoughts of happiness.
Of course the word 'happy' is not used
here in the world's sense. The world's
happiness is the pleasure that comes
from the things that happen. It depends
on personal comfort, on prosperous
circumstances, on kindly and congenial
conditions. When these are taken away--
the world's happiness is destroyed.
But the word happy, here means blessed--
and the statement is that blessing comes
to him who receives GOD'S correction.
To correct, is to set right--
that which has been wrong.
Surely if a man is going in the wrong
way, and GOD turns his feet back
and sets him in the right way--
a blessing has come to the man!
Afflictions are 'GOD'S corrections'.
They come always with a purpose
of love in them. GOD never afflicts
one of HIS children, without meaning
HIS child's good in some way.
So blessing is always intended by GOD.
It is usually afterward that people begin
to see and to understand the good that
GOD sent them in their trial.
"You do not understand what I am
now doing" said Jesus, "but you
shall understand hereafter."
(John 13:7)
"No chastening seems pleasant at t
he 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)
So when we have troubles and afflictions,
we may know that GOD wants to do us
good in some way through them.
Since this is so, Job was exhorted by Eliphaz,
"Therefore do not despise the
chastening of the Almighty."
(Job 5:17b)
GOD chastens us to bless us--
to do us good. HE chastens us
because HE loves us.
He is not a true parent, who sees
his children doing wrong, and yet fails
to correct them for fear he may hurt
their feelings. He ought to think of their
higher good, and chasten them now--
to profit them afterward.
This is the way our heavenly FATHER
works. HE never loves us better--
than when HE is correcting us.
Therefore we ought not to despise
this chastening. We ought not to murmur
or complain when GOD does not give
us our own way--
but checks us, lays HIS afflictive hand
upon us, and sends trouble upon us!
We ought to have such faith in GOD--
that we shall submit quietly, confidently,
and sweetly to his will--
even when it brings a heavy
cross into our life.
A great many people need to pause
at this line--and learn it. They do not
treat GOD'S chastening with reverence.
Sometimes they are crushed by it, and
refuse to look up into GOD'S face with
submission and love. Sometimes they
grow bitter against GOD and say hard
things of HIM!
We ought to reverence GOD'S chastening;
we ought to listen to the voice that
speaks to us in our grief or pain.
The way in which GOD brings blessing
through chastening, is emphasized:
"For HE wounds, but HE also binds up;
HE strikes, but HIS hands also heal."
Job 5:18.
GOD never smites with both hands at once!
When one hand is laid upon us in affliction--
the other hand is reached out to help,
to uphold, to heal.
Sometimes there is a trouble in a man's
body which requires the surgeon's knife.
There must be amputation, or cutting
away, or cutting into.
In such a case the skillful surgeon
does not hesitate. He thinks far more
of his patient's health for the future--
than of his comfort at present.
So he uses his knife--
that he may cure disease, or save life.
He wounds--to heal.
He makes sore--
that he may bind up. It is just
so in all afflictions which GOD sends.
HE chastens--
that HE may deliver from
the power of temptation.
HE hurts the body--
that he may save the soul.
HE takes away earthly property--
that HE may give true, heavenly riches.
One writer tells of two birds and how
they acted when caught and put into a cage.
One, a starling, flew violently against the wire
walls of its prison, in unavailing efforts to escape--
only battering and bruising its own wings.
The other bird, a canary, perched itself
on the bar and began to pour forth bursts
of sweet song from its little throat.
We know which bird was the wiser
and happier.
Some people are like the starling--
when they are in any trouble, they chafe
and fret and complain and give way
to wretchedness!
The result is, they only hurt themselves,
make themselves more miserable, and
do not in any sense lessen their trouble.
It is wiser always, as well as more
pleasing to GOD, for us to bear
our trials patiently,
singing songs of faith and love--
rather than crying out in
rebellion and discontent.
Job wanted to get near to GOD
in his great trouble. He cried,
"Oh that I knew where I might
find HIM!" (Job 23:3)
He felt sure that that would be
the best and safest place for
him to be.
We ought not to lose this lesson.
When trouble is upon us--
the true thing for us to do,
is to flee to GOD!
Some people, in their affliction and sorrow--
flee away from GOD. Thus they lose their
joy and peace, missing the comfort which
they would get if only they kept near to HIM.
The right way to respond, is to try to find
the way to GOD'S very presence. HE is
the only safe refuge, when the storms
of trouble break upon us.
The first thing always,
in any time of trouble--
is to find GOD and hide away
in HIS bosom, as a child runs to
the mother in alarm, or as the little
bird flies to its nest. To find GOD--
is to be safe!
GOD is our truest and best friend!
HE is our FATHER--
we need never fear to go to HIM.
HE gives heed unto our cries.
HE loves us. All HIS omnipotence
is on our side. No mother's heart
was ever so full of love for her child--
as is the heart of GOD for us,
HIS children!
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