Give Me That Old Time Gospel

[Soldier4Christ]

Benefits of Affliction -- Tries Our Sincerity

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

Though sorrows rise, and dangers roll
In waves of darkness o'er my soul;
Though friends are false, and love decays,
And few and evil are my days--
Yet even in nature's utmost ill,
I love thee, Lord! I love thee still.

[Soldier4Christ]

Benefits of Affliction -- Brings Sin to Remembrance

If they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. Job 36:8, 9

My former hopes are fled,
My terror now begins;
I feel, alas! that I am dead
In trespasses and sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

Benefits of Affliction -- Leads to Prayer

O remember not against us former iniquities: let they tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Psalm 79:8

Ah! whither could we flee for aid
When tempted, desolate, dismay'd;
Or how the hosts of hell defeat,
Had suffering saints no mercy-seat?

[Soldier4Christ]

Benefits of Affliction -- Brings Us Back to God

I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. -- Then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now. Hos. 2:6, 7

Long unafflicted, undismay'd,
In pleasure's path secure I stray'd:
Thou madest me feel thy chastening rod,
And straight I turned unto my God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Benefits of Affliction -- Exercises Our Faith

Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1:6, 7

Dark are the ways of Providence,
While those who love thee groan;
Thy reasons lie conceal'd from sense,
Mysterious and unknown.

[Soldier4Christ]

Benefits of Affliction -- Teaches Our Frailty

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness. Isa. 38:12

Lord, let me know mine end,
My days, how brief their date,
That I may timely comprehend
How frail my best estate.

[Soldier4Christ]

Benefits of Affliction -- Remind us of Former Mercies

We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. 2 Cor. 1:9, 10

His love in times past forbids me to think
He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink:
Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review
Confirms his good pleasure to help me quite through.

[Soldier4Christ]

Affliction Succeeded by Glory

Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:17

All trials and sorrows the Christian prepare
For the rest that remaineth above;
On earth tribulation awaits him, but there
The smile of unchangeable love.

[Soldier4Christ]

God Does Not Tempt to Sin

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:13, 14

My crimes, though great, do not surpass
The power and glory of thy grace;
Oh! wash my soul from every sin,
And make my guilty conscience clean.

[Soldier4Christ]

Temptations -- From Satan

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor. 2:11

Fear not Satan's strong temptations
Though they tease thee day by day,
And thy evil inclinations
Overwhelm thee with dismay!
Thou shalt conquer,
Through the Lamb's redeeming blood.

[Soldier4Christ]

Temptations -- From a Depraved Nature

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom. 7:21

Oh! who can free my troubled mind
From sin's oppressive load?
O wretched man! how shall I find
Acceptance with my God.

My soul with transport turns to thee,
To thee my Saviour turns;
Cleansed by thy blood, and saved by grace,
My soul no longer mourns.

[Soldier4Christ]

Temptations -- From the Love of Riches

They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Tim. 6:9

Oh lay not up upon this earth
Your hopes, your joys, your treasure,
Here sorrow clouds the pilgrim's path,
And blights each opening pleasure.
All, all below must fade and die,
The dearest hopes we cherish,
Scenes touch'd with brightest radiancy,
Are all decreed to perish.

[Soldier4Christ]

Temptations -- From the Fear of Man

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Prov. 29:25

The taunts and frowns of men of earth,
What are they all to me!
Oh they are things of little worth,
Weigh'd with one smile from Thee,
Who bore a sorrow deeper far,
Than all these stingless trifles are.

[Soldier4Christ]

Temptation to Neglect Good Works

Ye did run well; who did hinder you, that ye should not obey the truth? Gal. 5:7

Better that we had never known
The way to heaven through saving grace,
Than basely in our lives disown,
And slight and mock thee to thy face.

[Soldier4Christ]

Temptation to Legal Dependance

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh. Gal. 3:3

Go, you that rest upon the law,
And toil and seek salvation there;
Look to the flame that Moses saw,
And shrink, and tremble, and despair.

But I'll retire beneath thy cross--
Saviour, at thy dear feet I'll lie;
And the keen sword that justice draws,
Flaming and red, shall pass me by.