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Text Sermons : Thomas Brooks : It was good for me to be afflicted!

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"It was good for me to be afflicted!" Psalm 119:71

A gracious soul secretly concludes—as stars shine
brightest in the night, so God will make my soul shine
and glisten like gold, while I am in this furnace—and
when I come out of the furnace of affliction. 'He knows
the way that I take; and when He has tried me, I shall
come forth as gold!' Job 23:10.

Surely, as the taste of honey opened Jonathan's eyes;
so this cross, this affliction—shall open my eyes. By this
stroke I shall come to have a clearer sight of my sins and
of my self, and a fuller sight of my God! Job 33:27-28;
40:4-5; 13:1-7.

Surely this affliction shall proceed in the purging away
of my dross! Isaiah 1:25.

Surely as ploughing of the ground kills the weeds, and
harrowing breaks hard clods; so these afflictions shall
kill my sins, and soften my heart! Hosea 5:15, 6:1-3.

Surely as the plaster draws out the infectious core; so
the afflictions which are upon me shall draw out the
core of pride, the core of self-love, the core of envy,
the core of earthliness, the core of formality, the core
of hypocrisy! Psalm 119:67, 71.

Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will crucify my
heart more and more to the world; and the world to
my heart! Gal. 6:14; Psalm 131:1-3.

Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will keep pride
from my soul! Job 33:14-21.

Surely these afflictions are but the Lord's pruning-knives,
by which He will bleed my sins, and prune my heart, and
make it more fertile and fruitful! They are but the Lord's
potion, by which He will clear me, and rid me of those
spiritual diseases and maladies, which are most deadly
and dangerous to my soul!

Affliction is such a healing potion, as will carry away all
soul-diseases, better than all other remedies! Zech. 13:8-9.

Surely these afflictions shall increase my spiritual
communion with God! Rom. 5:3-4.

Surely by these afflictions, I shall be made to partake more
of God's holiness! Heb. 12:10. As black soap makes white
clothes—so do sharp afflictions make holy hearts!

Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will draw out my heart
more and more to seek Him! 'In their afflictions they will
seek Me early.' Hosea 5:15. In times of affliction, Christians
will industriously, speedily, early seek unto their Lord!

Surely by these trials and troubles, the Lord will fix my
soul more than ever upon the great concernments of the
eternal world! John 14:1-3; Rom. 8:17, 18; 2 Cor. 4:16-18.

Surely by these afflictions the Lord will work in me more
tenderness and compassion towards those who are afflicted!
Hebrews 10:34, 13:3.

Surely these afflictions are but God's love-tokens! 'As many
as I love—I rebuke and chasten,' Rev. 3:19. So says the holy
Christian—'O my soul! be quiet, be still. All is sent in love, all
is a fruit of divine favor. I see honey upon the top of every
twig; I see the rod is but a rosemary branch; I have sugar
with my gall, and wine with my wormwood; therefore be
silent, O my soul!'

Afflictions abase the carnal attractions of the world outside
us—which might entice us! Affliction abates the lustiness of
the flesh within us—which might otherwise ensnare us!

Afflictions humble us and keep us low! Holy hearts will be
humble under the afflicting hand of God. When God's rod
is upon their backs—their mouths shall be in the dust! A
godly heart will lie lowest, when the hand of God is lifted
highest.

All this proves that affliction is a mighty advantage to us!

"It was good for me to be afflicted!" Psalm 119:71





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