Affliction - The Lot of Saints Below

 Affliction - The Lot of Saints Below

While I am mortal, I must taste of the waters of Mara; drink of the cup of adversity; and swim the tempestuous ocean. It is the perfection of angels, that they could never experience the pain of mental disquiet, or the pangs of anguish. And it is the happiness of departed saints, to obtain joy for mourning, a crown for crosses; and to forget their misery, if not wholly, yet to remember it as waters, once swelled to a dreadful flood - but which now have forever flown away. It is, then the misery of the sons of men, only while here, to be, as it were, a mark set up for the arrows of tribulation, and to be engaged in constant war, and in perpetual broils. But it is the privileges of the Christian soldier to wear the shield of faith, with which he shall be able to quench the fiery darts of satan, and to ward off the sling-stones of tribulation which pelt him from every quarter. How, then, may I triumph under all my afflictions? Consider,

1. Afflictions come from God, whatever, be the instrument. "You have chastised me, and I was chastised - you have afflicted me in faithfulness."

2. Afflictions are sent out of love. "Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."

3. Afflictions are for my good. "Our human fathers punished us for a short time, as it seemed right to them; but God does it for our own good, so that we may share His holiness."

4. Afflictions are for the exercise of grace, even of that noble grace of faith. "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

5. Afflictions are noble antidotes against, and preservatives from sin. "Before I was afflicted, I strayed - but now I keep Your Word."

6. Afflictions assimilate the saints to their glorious Head, their sympathizing and feeling High Priest, who was a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." In the work of redemption, the Captain of their salvation was made perfect through sufferings.

7. Afflictions give a general disgust of all created things, and prove the creature to be subject to vanity; hence, says one much tempered in affliction, "I have seen an end of all perfection."

8. Afflictions teach humanity and sympathy to fellow-creatures in the same circumstances. 

9. Afflictions make very humble, and break the haughty mind and being down the lofty thought.

10. Afflictions make the man rightly exercised therein, to know himself, and think on his former ways; to resort often to the throne of grace, go often to God.

11. Afflictions give clear and certain proof of the providence of God.

12. Afflictions prepare for glory, and make us fit to join the company of those who came out of great tribulation.

Shall I, then, despise the discipline of heaven, from which none are exempted, no, not even the Son of God? Yes, all the heirs of glory are brought up in the school of the cross. O royal privilege, inestimable blessing, to be under the care of heaven!

 Who then, should bind His power, or doubt His faithfulness? God will never break His Word, whatever men may think; nor falsify His faithful promise. Cursed unbelief implies, that either God promises what He never intends to perform, or what He is not able to perfect; both which are blasphemous!! 

Take courage, O my soul! and mind that in a little while - and sin will be no more, and sorrow will be no more, and temptations will be no more, and troubles will be no more; and time will be no more! But yet a little while, and love, and life and light, and liberty, and joy, and glory, rapture and delight - in a word, God and all His fullness - are yours for evermore!

~James Meikle~