[b]God's flail[/b]
(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")
God's children may sometimes be under sore afflictions. They have no charter of exemption from trouble, in this life. While the wicked are kept in sugar--the godly are often kept in brine.
And, indeed, how could God's power be seen in bringing them out of trouble--if He did not sometimes bring them into it? How could God wipe away the tears from their eyes in heaven--if on earth they shed none?
Doubtless, God sees there is need that His children should be sometimes in the house of bondage. "If need be, you are in heaviness." 1 Peter 1:6. The body sometimes needs a bitter portion--more than a sweet one.
"You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs." Psalm 66:10, 11
Why does God bring His people into an afflicted state?
God gives affliction--to purge our corruption. The eye, though a tender part--yet when infected, we put sharp medicines into it, to purge out the disease. Just so, though the people of God are dear to Him as the apple of His eye--yet, when corruption begins to grow in them, He will apply the sharp medicine of affliction--to purge out the disease.
Affliction is God's flail to beat off our husks.
Affliction is a means God uses to purge out sloth, luxury, pride, and love of the world.
God's furnace is not to consume--but to refine.
God gives us more affliction--that we may have less sin!
God also gives affliction to increase our graces. Grace thrives most in the iron furnace. Grace in the saints is often as fire hidden in the embers; affliction is the bellows to blow it up into a flame!
God sanctifies all our afflictions. They shall not be destructive punishments--but medicines! They shall corrode and eat out the venom of sin! They shall polish and refine our grace! The more the diamond is cut--the more it sparkles. The more God afflicts us--the more our graces cast a sparkling luster! The stones which are cut out for a building, are first hewn and squared. The godly are called "living stones." 1 Peter 2:5. God hews and polishes them by affliction, that they may be fit for the heavenly building.
_________________ SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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