Affliction comes upon all!
None are exempt from the suffering's incident to our fallen nature. The young, the old, the rich and the poor alike feel the withering touch of affliction and of sorrow. Disease invades the strongest constitution, and affliction prostrates the mightiest energy. Often those in the prime and vigor of life are laid down on the bed of sickness and made to feel that they are dying creatures. How true it is, that "How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble!" (Job 14:1)
The children of God are not exempted from the afflictions of this life, but it is their blessed consolation to know that in all their sorrows and sufferings, they have a caring and divine Friend to sympathize with them!
Oh! How often does the blessed Jesus wonderfully manifest His love to His afflicted ones! How often does He whisper words of peace and love and consolation in their ears! How often, in the manifestation of His love, do their souls overflow with joy, even when their bodies are racked with severe pain!
All the afflictions of the children of God are designed for their good. They come from a kind and wise heavenly Father from a God of love; and one of their designs is their purification and sanctification.
Afflictions make us fit for glory. They enable us to obtain a correct view of the emptiness of all worldly vanities. They tend, through grace, to fix our souls on Jesus, in whom alone we can find true happiness and immortal joys.
Happy sickness, that leads the soul to Jesus the only source of blessedness! Afflictions, then, promote our spiritual welfare, and are ordered for our good.
[David Harsha]
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Psalm 119:71 ... It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Psalm 119:75 ... I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
John 16:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ❤
