Afflictions by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 16, 1882

Afflictions.

By A. S. Hutchins

BY ELD. A. S. HUTCHINS.

AFFLICTIONS are a source of great profit to us, when sanctified to our good. Says one, "A lost affliction is a great loss." And indeed, it is a loss to pass through afflictions and not be benefited thereby.

They should wean us from this world, chasten and subdue our spirits, turn our affections to Heaven and to God, and help us more and more to reflect the image of our adorable Saviour. Then may we, with David, say, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

But afflictions often fail to do us the good they were designed to, and which they should. When we forget that a kind Father holds the rod, directs, or in mercy permits, the chastisement for our profit, then are we inclined to restlessness and impatience, or to murmur at our lot, instead of meekly and patiently submitting to it, and with the strongest confidence and trust in the Lord for sustaining grace, praying with one anciently, "O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing."

In this way, the conflict for the faith in God which we must have, and the victory we must obtain, is rendered long, tedious, and painful, which might have been short. 2 Chron. 16:7-9.

It were inconceivably better to be in the furnace of affliction, and have the angel of the Lord with us, than to be amid the pleasures of this fleeting life, and live at a distance from God. Better for the man of God to enter the den of lions if need be, than lead a prayerless life; or to be cast into the fiery furnace, than to worship any but the true and living God.

"Is darkness and distress my share? Then let me trust thy guardian care; Enough for me, if love divine At length through every cloud shall shine."

Afflicted and lone pilgrim, bound to Mount Zion, trust in the Most High. The hour of deliverance is near.