He Cannot Err and He Cannot Be Unkind

When great sorrows came upon righteous Job, he did not complain. There was no word of rebellion against God, when messenger after messenger brought tidings of evil. All his property lost, his servants slain, his sons dead! Yet the good man did not sin, nor charge God foolishly. Dark and mysterious was the painful visitation. Why sore distress came to his house, and grievous sickness to himself, he could not understand. But, out of the depths arose the word of trust; in the midst of his woe, and pain, and loneliness, the bereaved and sorely stricken soul felt that affliction was the Divine messenger. Job received his burdens from the hand of God.

We, for whose comfort Job’s experience was written, know how it was that the patriarch was afflicted. There was a purpose to be fulfilled, an end to be brought about. We learn that however mysterious our sufferings may be, they are not sent without a wise and loving purpose. Afflictions may be mysterious but never purposeless.  Oh, for faith to realize that all my troubles come to me in mercy! He cannot err and He cannot be unkind! And as I read the Holy Scriptures, may I see how true this verse is, “All whom the Lord loves, He chastens.” So may I learn to take up my cross and to endure the trials of my lot. And if I am to be an example of suffering affliction, then may God’s will be done, in His way and in His time!

[William Purton]

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Job 1:21-22 ... And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Hebrews 12:6 ... For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

2 Corinthians 4:17 ... For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;❤

His Jewels!!

The promise of God is that His saints shall be as the jewels of a crown, yes, they shall shine in the Royal diadem! The Lord delights to call them His jewels!

What a price has been paid for the saints the Son of God purchased them with His own blood! Are they not valuable in His sight? How precious are those whom Jehovah calls His jewels! Bought with such an inestimable price!

But the saints are likened unto jewels, also because our souls need cutting and purifying. A diamond seems to be a mere pebble until the jeweler's hands give it shape and smoothness. Skill and patient toil so transform it, that everyone takes pleasure it its beauty and brightness.

Likewise is it with our souls. Divine grace removes defects, and beautifies. The sharp edge of affliction, directed by the hand of Infinite Love makes perfect. No longer rough and unsightly, but beautiful and glorious the precious workmanship of God becomes His delight. It is made fit for the Royal diadem, in which it will shine throughout eternity reflecting all-gloriously the majesty of the King of Kings!

[William Purton]

Malachi 3:17 ... And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Acts 20:28 ... Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Ephesians 2:10 ...  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.❤

When He Has Tried Me ...

To purify gold or silver, the refiner puts it into a furnace. Great heat separates the dross from the precious metal. Out of the fire, comes forth the precious substance clean and pure.

So likewise with the child of God. The character may be true gold yet not pure gold. And so the Lord's mercy says, "I will turn my hand upon you, and purely purge away your dross. I will purify you in the furnace of affliction!" Yes, even as in great heat gold is tried so in the sharpness of pain and sorrow, does God test and purify His redeemed children.

Let me, then, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is afflicting me. This testing of my faith is the gracious dealing of the Refiner, who seeks to cleanse me. In the furnace of affliction, God's mercy wills to purify me. May I strive to say, as righteous Job said: "When He has tried me I shall come forth as gold!"

The pain of passing through the fire is keen. The fiery test is not easily endured. Such is our nature, that we all shrink from the furnace of affliction. Indeed, it is very hard to bear the of pain of bodily weakness. But the Refiner's love chooses the trial! His wisdom limits it! His power strengthens us to bear it!

[William Purton]

Isaiah 48:10 ... Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

Job 23:10 ... But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Proverbs 25:4 ... Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.❤