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  HE BRUISES HIS SPICES
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His
holiness and experience spiritual growth and revival.

Topics: "God's Discipline", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Hebrews 12:10, James 1:2

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God's discipline is ultimately for our
good, as it allows us to share in His holiness. He illustrates that
afflictions can lead to the flourishing of grace, much like how spices
release their fragrance when bruised. Brooks points out that throughout
history, God's people have thrived in times of suffering, as trials
often revive and strengthen their faith, love, and hope. He uses various
metaphors, such as stars shining in darkness and gold shining brighter
after being scoured, to convey that hardships can lead to spiritual
growth and deeper reliance on God.

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CONTENT
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"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share

in His holiness." Hebrews 12:10

Grace always thrives most when saints are under the rod.

When Christians are under the rod, then their graces do

not only bud, but blossom and bring forth fruit, as Aaron's

rod did. The snuffing of the candle makes it burn the brighter.

God beats and bruises His children, to make them burn the

brighter; He bruises His spices, to make them send forth

the greater aromatic fragrance.

The Jews were always best when they were in an

afflicted condition.

Stars shine brightest in the darkest nights.

Vines grow the better for bleeding.

Gold shines the better for scouring.

Juniper smells sweetest when in the fire.

By afflictions, God many times revives, quickens, and

recovers the decayed graces of His people. By afflictions,

God many times inflames that love which is cold; and He

strengthens that faith which is failing; and he puts life into

those hopes which are languishing; and new spirits into

those joys and comforts which are withering and dying.

Sharp afflictions recover and revive our decayed graces.

The smarting rod abases the loveliness of the world,

which entices us; it abates the lustiness of the flesh

within, which incites us to vanity and folly.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/he-bruises-his-spices/
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