The Purpose of Affliction
"And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon
me?" Numbers 11:11
Our heavenly Father allows us to receive frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be
worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: the paste gem
dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith
which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business
profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone,
when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father's countenance
is hidden.
A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," is
heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in
the graces of His people, which are His own handiwork. When "tribulation worketh patience;
and patience, experience; and experience, hope," the Lord is honoured by these growing
virtues. (Romans 5:3,4)
We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy
the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet
perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the
coals were not utterly consumed.
The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His
vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy.
There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. Could we be so
supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth?
Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? Will not the
recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified? There are many other
comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation, let us muse
upon it all day long, all month long.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and
rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in
tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and
experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is
given unto us. Romans 5:1-5
Glory in Tribulations
Meeting the Needs of Body, Mind and Spirit
Temple Restored
Ministry
