The Benefit of Affliction.
AFFLICTION is of necessity the cause of anguish to men. For this reason God who is full of tender compassion, does not willingly afflict. But it is nevertheless something indispensable in the dealings of God with men. The chastening seems grievous, but yields afterward the peaceable fruit of righteousness. If we would always keep in the path of duty, and if we would always keep our hearts with the utmost diligence, a large share of our afflictions no doubt would be prevented. But we are always in danger of departing from God. It is not always because we have done this, but often because we are about to do it that the hand of affliction comes upon us. By the blows of his rod, God calls us to think what we are doing, or what we are about to do. How he recalls us to ourselves by the anguish of the rod. If one blow is sufficient, he does not strike the second. But sometimes there is no help for us till we are beaten into the dust. Affliction is God's furnace, where he separates our gold from its dross. No wonder we feel small after our chastening. We discover that when the dross is gone there is very little left. Yet how much more valuable is that little than the whole mass as it was before. Affliction is God's means of humbling men. They should, however, humble themselves, and shun the heavy blow. Affliction wears men from the world. But if they could be persuaded to give it up of their own accord, it would please God better. Affliction breaks the proud, stubborn heart. But this might be spared if the heart would yield of its own free will. If we would do what God requires, we might escape the most of his chastenings. But as God has so much of our work to do for us, let us be grateful that he in tender pity does not give us up to ruin.