The Afflictions of the People of God.
By W. B. Pringle
God's people are an afflicted race. For the comfort and instruction of the reader, I will present some of the teachings of the Sacred Record, to show how often God's chosen people are afflicted. It was God's promise to Abraham that his seed should inherit the land of Canaan, but he told him to know of a surety that before that time they should be strangers in a land that was not theirs, and should be afflicted four hundred years. The most humble and patient servant of God once said, "Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward." Job v, 7. The same writer also says, "Man is of few days and full of trouble." Chap. xiv, 1. It often appears that the most pious, devoted, servants of God, sometimes suffer most. The writer of the Psalms seemed to think this was the case. In Ps. lxxiii, 5, he declares that the ungodly are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men; but of God's people he said, that "waters of a full cup" are wrung out to them. Again David testifies, "Before I was afflicted I went astray." Also "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes;" and again, "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." David was at times greatly afflicted, insomuch that he exclaimed, "Unless thy law had been my delight, I should have perished in my afflictions." Surely no one can read the foregoing testimony without concluding that David's affliction accomplished for him what otherwise could not have been done. If we trace the history of the people of God through their various generations, we find all through an afflicted people that have come up through great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The Apostle Paul says, "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son that he receiveth." and again that we are "not to be moved by these afflictions" for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. He set the example himself as he entered his ministry with the words of the Saviour revolving in his mind, "I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Acts ix, 16. His own language is, "And now behold I go bound in spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me; but none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts xx, 22, 24. This great apostle to the Gentiles "went forth weeping and bearing precious seed," fully believing that in him must be "filled up that which is behind of the affliction of Christ;" he ceased not to "warn men day and night with tears." How rich will be his reward when Jesus comes! for those who "sow in tears shall reap in joy." Ps. cxxvi, 56. There is another consolation for God's suffering children, and that is that he "will be with them, and deliver them," Dan. xii, 1. Yes, their "tears are all bottled up," not a sigh or groan escapes their lips, or pang reaches their heart, but that is known and heard in Heaven. "The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; he is their strength in the time of trouble." "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Ps. xxxiv, 19. The day of the deliverer hasteth greatly, and you, dear afflicted ones, "lift up your head and rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh." But there is still another promise; that is, "affliction shall not rise up the second time," yes, the Lord has promised to make an "utter end," when he shall pass through. He says, "though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more." Let us in our present afflictions have a bold heart, and say with the poet: "Afflictions may press me, they cannot destroy;
One glimpse of His love turns them all into joy,—
And the bitterest tears, if He smiles but on them,
Like dew in the sunshine grow diamond and gem."
David only uttered his own experience when he said, "I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor." Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence." Ps. cxl, 12, 13. When Paul besought the Lord thrice that his infirmity might depart from him, the answer he got was, "My grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul's response was, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me; therefore I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak then am I strong." 2 Cor. xii, 8, 10. When I consider these things, I can but beg the privilege of "suffering affliction with the people of God." I have had enough of the pleasure of sin; let me cheerfully bear the reproaches of Christ, knowing that "they that suffer with him shall also reign with him," and that "our sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us."