December 1928
733
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
The “Why?” and “How Long?” of Affliction B y K. L. B.
« ERE are two brief questions often coming to the lips of Christians in their sore trials. We are speaking not of those afflictions which we can perceive are directly connected with con scious violations of God’s laws, nor of those resulting from connection with a sinful race (Exo. 20:5), but of those inex plicable circumstances that so often seem to settle down about children of God who find them selves in the dark as to the mean ing of it all. No human philosophy can fur
through sufferings” (Heb. 2:10). It is our privilege to “know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). Paul makes it clear that we represent Him in this world, not only for preaching and teaching, but for suffering, actually
“filling up that which is behind of the tribulations of Christ” (Col. 1 :24). Our sufferings bring us into closer communion with the “man of sorrows” .and in our Christlike conduct in the hour of trial, we have our influence, which is just as necessary as preaching. In the trackless land, when the pathfinder passes through the for est, he breaks twigs as he goes that those who come after, may know they are not out of the road. When we are journeying through the dark woods of affliction, we find the marks of Him who led
nish any real balm for the bleed ing heart. God’s Word alone sup plies a satisfying answer for the soul. Here we learn that a Chris tian is a man whom God has under treatment, and that the Great Phy sician never takes down the wrong bottle. Why? Let the Word answer!
the way. This is the very path He hallowed. There is hid den strength in remembering that He is able to feel for us.
1. A ffliction is a P a thw ay of D evotion “Before I was afflicted,” says David, “I went astray, but now have I kept thy word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me” (Psa. 119:67, 71, 75). Affliction, then, is a guide to reflection and the parent of repentance. Bunyan said: “The chamber of affliction is often the chapel of devotion.” We do not become aware of our “secret faults” ,nor really prize .the precious words of promise until we have had to turn care into prayer. 2. A fflic t io n is a P roof of O ur S p ir itu a l S tate
“When gathering clouds around I view And days are dark and friends are few, On Him I lean, who not in vain Experienced every human pain. He sees my wants, allays my fears And counts and treasures all my tears.”
4.
A ffliction is a P olisher of C haracter We are chastened “for our profit that we might be partakers of His holiness.” ( “Afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12: 10-11). “The trying of our faith worketh patience. Let patience have
her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (Jas. 1 :3-4). Many Christian graces cannot thrive without trials. There would be no patience, meekness, resignation or longsuffering in the world without afflictions. A blow to the outward man often produces eternal effects in the inner man. The sweet incense of grace yields the most fragrant scent when it is cast into the fire. As Chrysostom said: “Had not Satan bored holes through the body of Job, the bright beams of his graces would have been hidden within and would not have shined unto us.” 5. A ffliction s A re a P reparation for F ru itfu ln e ss “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10). “My strength is
Job said: “He knoweth the way that I take. When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). “Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wil derness, to humble thee and to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart” (Deut. 8 : 2 ) . Trials prove how deep our hearts have entered into His fellowship; how much our faith is able to bear; whether we are will ing to yield all to Him. If it makes us bit ter and impatient, then the devil laughs and is glad. Nothing shows more accu rately what we are, than the way in which we meet our trials and difficulties.
Sharp afflictions are to the soul what a soaking rain is to the house. We knew not that there were such holes in the roof until the showers came, then we knew just where to make the repairs. “God would have no hot furnaces,” says one, “if there were no gold to separate from the dross.” 3. A fflic t io n is a P erfecter of F ellow sh ip W it h C hr ist The Captain of our salvation was made “perfect
made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me . . . . for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10). “He comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort others which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1 :3-4).
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker