Grace Gems

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

How long will you love vanity?
James Smith, challenging
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Death puts an end to all changes

(Thomas Brooks, "A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day")

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better
 by far!" Philippians 1:23

A believer's last day is his best day! Death puts an
end to all changes. What is the whole life of a man
--but a life of changes?

Here on earth, you often change . . .
  your joy for sorrow,
  your health for sickness,
  your strength for weakness,
  your honor for dishonor,
  your plenty for poverty,
  your beauty for deformity,
  your friends for foes,
  your gold for copper.

All temporal things are transitory. Man himself--
what is he--but a mere nothing--the dream of
a dream, a shadow, a bubble, a flash, a puff!

Now the comforts of a man are smiling
--but the next hour they are dying.

Now the Lord smiles upon the soul--and
at another time He frowns upon the soul.

Now God gives assistance to conquer sin--but
before long the man is carried captive by his sin.

Now he is strengthened against the temptation,
in a short while he falls before the temptation, etc.

But death puts an end to all changes. Now the
soul shall be tempted no more, sin no more, be
foiled no more. Now you may judge by this,
that a Christian's dying-day is his best day.

"And so we will be with the Lord forever!"
  1 Thessalonians 4:17

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

See the cause of my happiness!
James Smith, insightful
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Death brings the soul to a state of eternal rest

(Thomas Brooks, "A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day")

Revelation 14:13, "Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord." Why? "They will rest from their labor!"

A believer's last day is his best day! Death brings
the soul to a state of eternal rest. Death is . . .
  a rest from the trouble of our labors,
  a rest from afflictions,
  a rest from persecutions,
  a rest from temptation,
  a rest from sin, and
  a rest from sorrow.

Now while we are here in this present world, the soul
is in a perpetual agitation. The godliest man in the world,
who is highest and clearest in his enjoyments of God--
either lacks some temporal mercy or spiritual mercy--and
will do so until his soul is swallowed up in the everlasting
enjoyments of God!

Death brings a man to an unchangeable rest!

Death is a believer's coronation-day, it is his
marriage-day! Death is an eternal rest . . .
  from sin,
  from sorrow,
  from afflictions,
  from temptations.

Death to a believer is an entrance into
paradise--into the joy of his Lord.

A believer's dying-day is his best day. The day
of his death better than the day of his birth!

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which
 is better by far!" Philippians 1:23

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

WHY does He love me?
James Smith, precious
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True Christian living in the world

("Golden Thoughts" 1879)

"Do not love the world, or anything in the world!" 1 John 2:15

True Christian living in the world, is like a ship sailing on the ocean. It is not the ship being in the water which will sink it--but the water getting into the ship! So, in like manner, the Christian is not ruined by living in the world, which he must do while he remains in the body--but by the world living in him.

The world in the heart has ruined millions of immortal souls!

How careful is the mariner to guard against leakage, lest the water entering into the vessel should, by imperceptible degrees, cause the vessel to sink; and ought not the Christian to watch and pray, lest Satan and the world should find some unguarded inlet to his heart?

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

I am dying!
James Smith, uplifting!
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A vile, creeping, insinuating thing, which will twist itself like a serpent into our hearts!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Words of Wisdom")

"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13

There is nothing into which the heart of man so easily falls, as PRIDE--and there is no vice which is more frequently and more emphatically condemned in Scripture!

Pride is a groundless thing. It stands on bubbles, which soon must burst beneath its feet! We have reasons for almost everything--but we have no reasons for pride. Pride is a thing which should be unnatural to us--for we have nothing to be proud of!

Pride is a foolish thing, for it brings no profit with it. There is no wisdom in a self-exaltation. Other vices have some excuse--for men seem to gain by them: avarice, pleasure, lust, have some plea; but the man who is proud, sells his soul cheaply! For one puff of empty wind, one word of sweet applause--the soul is gone!

Pride wins no crown; men never honor it, not even the menial slaves of earth; for all men look down on the proud man, and think him less than themselves.

Pride is the maddest thing that can exist; it feeds upon its own vitals; it will take away its own life; it saps and undermines its own house, that it may build its pinnacles a little higher--and then the whole structure tumbles down! Nothing proves men so mad, as pride.

Pride is a protean thing; it changes its shape and forms; you may find it in any fashion you may choose. You may see it in the beggar's rags--as well as in the rich man's garments. It dwells with the rich--and with the poor. The man without a shoe for his foot--may be as proud as if he were riding in a fine chariot! Pride is found in every rank of society--among all classes of men.

Pride can profess any form of religion; it attends all kinds of chapels and churches; go where you will--you will see pride. It comes with us--to the house of God; it goes with us--to our houses; it is found on the mart and the exchange, in the streets, and everywhere!

Pride has ten thousand shapes! It is not always that stiff and starched gentleman whom you picture; it is a vile, creeping, insinuating thing, which will twist itself like a serpent into our hearts! It will talk of humility, and prate about being dust and ashes. I have known men talk about their corruption most marvelously, pretending to be all humility--while at the same time they were the proudest wretches that could be found this side Hell.

O my friends! you cannot tell how many shapes pride will assume. Look sharply about you--or you will be deceived by it, and when you think you are entertaining angels, you will find you have been receiving devils unawares!

The true throne of pride, is the heart of man. If we desire, by God's grace, to put down pride--the only way is to begin with the heart. Let us seek that He would purify our hearts from pride--and then assuredly, our life also shall be humble. Make the tree good--and then the fruit shall be good; make the fountain pure--and the stream shall be sweet.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

God shall surely visit you!
James Smith, insightful
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The influence of a mother's teachings and example

("Golden Thoughts" 1879)

Next to the sovereign grace of God, the influence of a mother's teachings and example is the most effective in molding character and shaping destiny. It is in the direction of moral training and the development of character, that the influence of the mother is most powerfully felt. The mother, more than anyone else, helps to clothe the immortal soul in garments of holiness and loveliness--or else in garments of sin and sorrow and shame. She weaves her child's habits of thought and conduct. She does this not only by direct deliberate teachings--but by little words and acts, and by silent unconscious influence.

Occasional exceptions do not shake the solid certainty of this rule: Show me the mother--and I will show you the man!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Pierced!
James Smith, precious
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There are many human ant-eaters!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Treasury of David")

"Their throat is an open sepulcher! They flatter with their tongue." Psalm 5:9

"Their throat is an open sepulcher!" That is--a sepulcher full of loathsomeness, of pollution, of pestilence, and death! But, worse than that, it is an open sepulcher, with all its evil gases issuing forth, to spread death and destruction all around. It is just so with the throat of the wicked!

It would be a great mercy if the mouth of the wicked could always be closed. If we could seal it in continual silence--it would be like a closed sepulcher, and would not produce much mischief. But, "their throat is an open sepulcher," consequently all the wickedness of their heart exhales, and comes forth!

How dangerous is an open sepulcher! Men in their journeys might easily stumble therein, and find themselves among the dead!

Ah! take heed of the wicked man, for there is nothing that he will not say to ruin you; he will long to destroy your character, and bury you in the hideous sepulcher of his own wicked throat!

"This figure graphically portrays the filthy conversation of the wicked. Nothing can be more abominable to the senses than an open sepulcher, when a dead putrefying body steams forth its tainted exhalations. Just so, what proceeds out of the mouth of the wicked, is infected and putrid! And, as the exhalation from a sepulcher proves the corruption within, so it is with the corrupt conversation of sinners." Robert Haldane

"The speech of unregenerate men is unsavory, rotten, and hurtful to others; for, as a sepulcher sends out detestable savors and filthy smells--so evil men utter rotten and filthy words!" Thomas Wilson

"They flatter with their tongue." Or, as we might read it, "They have an oily tongue--a smooth tongue." A smooth tongue is a great evil; many have been bewitched by it. There are many human ant-eaters, who with their long tongues covered with oily words, entice and entrap the unwary and make their gain thereby.

When the wolf licks the lamb, he is preparing to wet his teeth in its blood!

[nChrist]

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The covenant of grace!

(Charles Spurgeon, "The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant!" 1859)

"The blood of the everlasting covenant!" Hebrews 13:20

Long before the day-star knew its place,
long before God had spoken existence out of nothing,
long before angel's wing had stirred the unnavigated ether,
long before a solitary song had disturbed the solemnity of the silence in which God reigned supreme
--the Father had entered into solemn counsel with Himself, with His Son, and with His Spirit--and had in that council decreed, determined, purposed, and predestined the salvation of His people!

On the Father's part--thus ran the covenant. I cannot tell it to you in the glorious celestial tongue in which it was written. I am glad to bring it down to the speech which suits to the ear of flesh, and to the heart of a mortal. Thus, I say, ran the covenant in lines like these:
"I, the Most High Jehovah, do hereby give unto My only begotten and well-beloved Son--a people, countless beyond the number of the stars . . .
  who shall be washed from sin by Him;
  who shall be preserved, and kept, and led by Him; and
  at last, who shall be presented before My throne without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing by Him.
I covenant by oath, and swear by Myself, because I can swear by no one greater, that these whom I now give to Christ--shall forever be the objects of My eternal love!
These, I will forgive through the merit of my Son's blood.
To these, I will give a perfect righteousness.
These, I will I adopt and make My sons and daughters.
And these shall reign with Me through Christ eternally!"

The Holy Spirit also, as one of the contracting parties of the covenant, gave His declaration, "I hereby covenant, that all whom the Father gives to the Son--
I will in due time quicken.
I will show them their need of redemption.
I will cut off all their groundless hopes, and destroy their refuges of lies.
I will bring them to the blood of sprinkling.
I will give them faith whereby this blood shall be applied to them.
I will work in them every grace.
I will keep their faith alive.
I will cleanse them and drive out depravity from them.
And they shall be presented at last, spotless and faultless in Heaven!"
This was the one side of the covenant, which is at this very day being fulfilled and scrupulously kept.

The Lord Jesus also, as one of the contracting parties of the covenant, gave His declaration, "My Father, on My part, I covenant that in the fullness of time, I will become man. I will live in their wretched world--and for My people, I keep the law perfectly. I will work out a spotless righteousness for them, which shall be acceptable to the demands of Your just and holy law. In due time, I will bear the sins of all My people. You shall exact all their debts upon Me. By My stripes--they shall be healed. My Father, I covenant and promise that I will be obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. I will magnify Your law, and make it honorable. I will suffer all that My people ought to have suffered. I will endure the curse of Your law--and all the vials of Your wrath shall be emptied and spent upon My head! I will then rise again, and ascend into Heaven. I will intercede for them at Your right hand. I will make Myself responsible for every one of them--that not one of those whom You have given me, shall ever be lost! I will bring all My sheep of whom, by My blood, you have constituted Me the Shepherd--I will bring every one safe to You at last!"

Christ can say of what He promised to do, "It is finished!" He has paid the debts of all the elect. He has, for His people and for their redemption--suffered the whole of wrath divine. Nothing remains now, except that He shall continue to intercede for them--that He may safely bring all His redeemed to glory. All for whom Christ died, shall be pardoned--all justified--all adopted.

The Spirit shall quicken them all, shall give them all faith, shall bring them all to Heaven. And they shall, every one of them, without hindrance, stand accepted in the Beloved.

The antiquity of the covenant of grace demands our grateful attention. It is a truth which tends to elevate the mind. I know of no doctrine more grand than this! It is the very soul and essence of all Scripture! In sitting down and meditating upon it--I confess my spirit has sometimes been ravished with delight!

Can you conceive of the idea, that before all things--God thought of you? That when as yet He had not made His mountains--He had thought of you; you, a poor puny worm?  Oh this cannot make us proud--but it must make us feel happy!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

She is ugly!
by Ruth Bryan
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Covetousness

(Henry Ward Beecher, "Lectures to Young Men on Various Important Subjects" 1849)

"Covetousness, which is idolatry!" Colossians 3:5

Covetousness breeds misery! The sight . . .
  of houses better than our own,
  of dress beyond our means,
  of jewels costlier than we can wear,
  of stately equipage, and rare curiosities beyond our reach--
these hatch the viper-brood of covetous thoughts--vexing the poor who would be rich, and tormenting the rich who would be richer!

I do not wonder that God abhors him. He inspects his heart as He would a cave full of foul birds, or a nest of rattling reptiles--and loathes the sight of its crawling tenants!

"You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or covetous person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a covetous person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world." Ephesians 5:5

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Constant Religious Engagements
by Ruth Bryan, most insightful
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How dear we are to Christ!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home!" Luke 15:4-6

He does not drive the poor weary sheep home. This is not the way of the gentle shepherd. He stoops down and lifts it up, and lays it on his own shoulder and carries it back. There is a wonderful lesson in this little touch in the picture--let us be sure that we understand just what the words say.

We all know that Christ carried our sin when He went to the cross. We know, too, that we may cast our burdens upon Him. But here we learn that Christ wants to carry, not our sins only, not our burdens and cares only--but we ourselves! The shepherd took up the sheep itself and laid it upon his shoulders!

Jesus does this "joyfully". Can this be true? Has Jesus really interest enough in any human being on this earth--to be concerned by his wandering, and joyful by his recovery? The thought overwhelms me!

We can understand a shepherd's rejoicing when he bears home a sheep that has been lost. We can understand a mother's joy when her lost child is brought to her door. But that the heart of Jesus rejoiced when He finds us, and joyfully puts us on His shoulders--seems too amazing to be true! Yet here the word stands!

Then listen to Zephaniah: "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" (Zephaniah 3:17)

How dear we are to Christ!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Right and wrong praying
Theodore Cuyler, insightful
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A new year

(Arthur Pink)

"Go forward!" Exodus 14:15

Is not this a timely word for each of us as we enter into, and journey through, a new year?

We need to clearly realize that there is no such thing as remaining stationary in the spiritual life. If we do not progress--we inevitably retrograde. How that solemn fact should search our hearts!

Christian friend, your history this year will be either one of going forward--or backsliding. This new year will mark either an increased fruitfulness in your soul and life, to the glory of Him whose name you bear--or increased leanness and barrenness, to His reproach. It will witness either a growing in grace--or a decline in your spirituality. It will record either an increased love for the Word, use of the Throne of Grace, strictness of walk and closer communion with Christ--or a growing coldness and a following of Him afar off!

"Go forward!" Exodus 14:15

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Justice and mercy!
Samuel Davies, precious
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We might have begun this year in Hell!

(James Smith, "The First Day of the Year" 1865)

What a mercy that we have been spared until now. How many have been cut down during the last year. We might have begun this year in Hell. Oh, if we had! How dreadful the thought!

But many who did begin the last year as we begin this--are in Hell now. They little thought that it would be so--but there they are, and now there is no redemption, there is no way of escape. They are shut up in hopeless despair. Their doom is forever fixed.

And why are we spared? To go on in sin? To abuse the mercy that has been shown to us? To aggravate our woe? Oh, no! We are spared that we may escape from the wrath to come, that we may secure the pardon of our sins, and that we may be happy both in this world and in that which is to come.

This is the first day of the year, and what is our first thought? What shall we fix our thoughts upon?
Let us think of past mercies--and past sins;
let us think of present duty--and present danger;
let us think of future probabilities--and certainties.

Let us think of our state before God--what is it?
Are we pardoned--or condemned?
Are we sons of God--or children of wrath?
Are we reconciled to God--or living at enmity with God?

Do we ever . . .
  speak to Him in prayer,
  look to Him in faith,
  walk with Him in love,
  work for Him with pleasure, or
  long to be with Him in glory?

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Your salvation makes amends for all His sufferings!
Samuel Davies, most insightful
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What is man--that You are mindful of him?

(Hugh Brown, "Altogether Lovely!" 1897)

"What is man--that You are mindful of him?" Psalm 8:4

What is man?

Where did he come from?

Where does his pathway lead?

Man was once the crowning piece of God's workmanship, made in His own image, and given dominion over the works of His hands!

Alas! We now only know man . . .
  in his fallen state--not as God created him,
  with the crown fallen from his head,
  as a rebel against his Maker,
  as the slave of sin,
  as a willing subject of Satan,
  in his weakness,
  compassed with infirmity,
  the prey of many diseases,
  as "of few days, and full of trouble,"
  as a bearer of burdens,
  with a heritage of sorrow!

So fearfully and wonderfully is man made--
  so great--and yet so little;
  so noble--yet so base;
  a feeble spark of life--yet having an eternal destiny!

We now only know man . . .
  in his sinfulness,
  with a "heart deceitful above all things--and desperately wicked,"
  torn by conflicting passions,
  in the vile bondage of iniquity,
  sin reigning within and without,
  proud,
  arrogant,
  self-seeking,
  vain,
  making the earth a habitation of cruelty!

For though sometimes in his youth, life may seem bright while he eagerly hunts after pleasure--how soon the flowers fade, the bubble bursts--and he is left with emptiness in his heart and learns by sad experience the truth of God’s Word: "Truly, every man at his best estate is altogether vanity!"

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

He preached his own funeral sermon!
Samuel Davies, powerful and insightful
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

They must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I obey Your Word." Psalm 119:67

"It was good for me to be afflicted--so that I might learn Your decrees." Psalm 119:71

Most of the great truths of God have to be learned through trials! They must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction, otherwise we shall not truly receive them.

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous--and in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

"God disciplines us for our good--that we may share in His holiness!" Hebrews 12:10

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Your present affliction

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

"God is love!" 1 John 4:8

Believer, the author of your present affliction, is Jehovah (Amos 3:6); it comes at the command of the Lord Almighty, who is excellent in counsel and wonderful in working. But though He afflicts you, His heart is not, and cannot be turned against you--for He has revealed Himself in His Word, as LOVE. He does not merely tell you that He loves you, but that He is LOVE ITSELF--infinite, eternal, unchangeable love! Fury has no place in Him; His anger is turned away from you, by the sacrifice of Jesus.

Your present affliction flows from His love; though occasioned by your sin--or called for by the circumstances in which you are placed. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve His redeemed children without cause. But while He puts you to pain, while He lays His rod upon you--He loves you with an inconceivable love! There is nothing but love in His heart toward you! Every affliction is absolutely necessary, and could not be dispensed with. He will never fail you nor forsake you--and therefore He lays His rod upon you. The discipline may be sharp--but the design is truly gracious. He seeks the good of your immortal soul; and designs only your welfare--even your sanctification. He intends to . . .
  remind you of your follies,
  bring you to reflection, and
  lead you back to Himself from whom you have wandered.
Or else He intends to prevent your falling into some real evils, to which you were fast hastening. He intends, in a word . . .
  to conform you to Jesus;
  to answer your prayers; and
  to show you, your absolute need of His presence, power, and love.

It was Divine love which chose the trial. It was Divine love which sent it. And the God of love is waiting to hear your confessions, your prayers, and your complaints.

Believe that He is love; believe that your sickness flows from love; and entreat Him to sanctify it--and then remove it. But seek its sanctification before its removal.

Sanctified afflictions are among our choicest blessings! They . . .
  wean our hearts from earth,
  direct our affections above, and
  give energy and fervor to our prayers.
Many have had to say, "It is good for me, that I have been afflicted! Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I keep Your precepts."

The Lord watches over you in love; while you are in this furnace--He is about your bed. Do not forget that the God of love is present with you--present to . . .
  hear your groanings,
  number your pains,
  mark your tears,
  listen to your prayers,
  and bless you indeed.
You may not have the comfort of His presence--but you have the benefit of it. Endeavor to realize that God is with you--with you as a kind and gracious Father, watching over you to do you good.

By this affliction, He calls you . . .
  to self-examination;
  to surrender yourself afresh to Him;
  to seek your happiness alone in Him;
  to cast all your cares upon Him;
  to make known your request to Him!
He says, "I will be very gracious unto you at the voice of your cry. When I hear you--I will answer you." His eye is fixed upon you for good! He is full of compassion, and plenteous in mercy unto all who call upon Him in truth. Call then upon the Lord, in this day of trouble; He will deliver you--and you shall glorify Him.

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes every one He accepts as a son." Hebrews 12:6

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In that hand which was once nailed to the cross for your redemption!

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes every one He accepts as a son." Hebrews 12:6

Afflicted Christian, you are perhaps tempted to think that God cannot love you--or He would not so deeply try you. But the reverse is the case--if He did not love you, He might perhaps refuse to try you. But because He loves you, and is a Father to you--therefore He corrects you.

All of the Lord's children need correction! Many of them will not grow without very severe discipline--consequently your heavenly Father says, "I will melt them, and try them." "I will turn My hand upon you--and will purge away your dross."

Look to the generations of old, and see if the Lord's people in every age have not been an afflicted people. Look at Job, at the prophets, at Lazarus; God tenderly loved them--and yet how severely He tried them. He has commanded an earthly parent to chasten his son, and not to let his soul spare for his crying--and by this rule He also proceeds. He chastens us--that He may not destroy us. There is infinite mercy in your present trial--as dreadful as it may appear to you. There was an absolute necessity for it--for He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve His redeemed children.

He takes pleasure in the spiritual prosperity of His people--and therefore He uses means to promote it. He has received you as a son, and He is now . . .
  using His paternal authority;
  manifesting His infinite wisdom;
  fulfilling His gracious covenant;
  making good His precious promises;
  and displaying His unutterable love!

Every one who is . . .
  adopted into His family;
  quickened by His grace;
  and united to Jesus--
is made to pass under the rod, and prove the truth of the Scripture which says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous--but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

He chastens you, not for His own pleasure or gratification, but for your profit--that you might be a partaker of His holiness. What a gracious design is this--every way worthy of God. It affords full proof of His infinite wisdom, care, and love!

Think within yourself:
I could not do without this affliction;
it is sent in love;
it is intended to do me good;
it is a proof that I am a child of God
--and you will then think rightly.

Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, by thinking that you could have done as well without it; or that there was no necessity for it. Depend upon it, you must either be . . .
  pained--or ruined;
  tried--or injured;
  corrected--or lost.

Do not faint when the Lord rebukes you. He has promised you, that as your day is--so shall your strength be. He says to you, "Do not fear--for I am with you; do not be afraid--for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!" Isaiah 41:10. Precious promise of a faithful God! He made it in love. He has not forgotten it--no, He intends to make it good. Yes, He is now making it good to you--as tried and afflicted as you are.

The rod which afflicts you, is in the hand of Jesus! In that hand which was once nailed to the cross for your redemption! In the hand of that Friend who loves at all times; and who is a Brother born for adversity. Will Jesus who suffered, bled, and died to redeem you--ever hurt you? Surely not! His heart is too tender! His love is too great! "He will not break the bruised reed--and He will not quench the smoking flax!" He will bind up the broken heart, and comfort the sorrowful spirit.

You say, "He is sorely trying me!" True--but He is only making you fit to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light. They are . . .
  loving strokes,
  valuable trials,
  blessed afflictions!
As sharp they may be--short they must be.

Humble yourself then under the mighty hand of God;
mourn before Him;
surrender all to Him;
plead with Him;
justify Him--and . . .
   the rod will soon fall from His hand,
   the scourging will soon be over, and
   peaceable fruits of righteousness will make their appearance.

Look up to your God, and say:

    Submissive to Your will, my God,
    I all to you resign;
    I bow before Your chastening rod,
    And mourn, but not repine!

    Why should my foolish heart complain,
    When wisdom, truth, and love,
    Direct the stroke, inflict the pain,
    And point to joys above?

    How short are all my sufferings here!
    How needful every cross!
    Away then, my unbelieving fear,
    Nor call my gain, my loss.