Afflictions by E. B. Saunders

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 18, 1873

Afflictions.

By E. B. Saunders

The chance of entering the kingdom of Heaven without enduring sore afflictions is about the same as it is for those who have riches to enter with their gold; that is, it is an impossibility. This world is one of trouble to man that is born of woman; but especially to the Christian. Nearly all the eminent saints, whose lives were noted in the Bible, had to endure, at some time, deep distress and anguish of heart; the Lord thus chastising them to prove them, to humble, correct, purify, and save them; and, sometimes, in their perfect submission, to get glory and praise to himself. Even the Son of God had to endure reproach, shame, and agony of mind, that he might be better fitted to sympathize with us in our distresses.

But the Scriptures indicate that the remnant of God's people are an afflicted and poor people, and in the message to the last state of the church, Rev. 3, the Lord says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” How many hearts have been comforted and strengthened by this short sentence. When distress comes upon us, and Satan seems let loose against us with all his terrible power, and he fain would make us think that God had forsaken us, that there is no hope for us in God, and perhaps suggests some rash act on our part, how sweet to know that the chastisement is because God loves us. When the rod smites us in the tenderest place, when our loved friends are smitten, or perhaps our good name is traduced, or reproach and vile abuse are heaped upon us from those we had called friends (and, it may be, all of these things come upon us at once), when our hearts are well-nigh breaking with some great sorrow, then how sweet to feel that our Father is dealing with us in mercy, and that, “when he hath tried us, we shall come forth as gold;” and that our pitiful Heavenly Father has seen our grief and pain, has also heard the reproach, and falsehood, and slander; that he has noted the tears and distress over backslidings, lack of devotion, and sinful habits; and that he “will not cast off forever,” but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his mercies, for, “he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.”

It is not for us simply to mourn and lament when afflicted, but to search out the cause, that we may be profited by it. We should seek to learn the lesson God designs by the chastisement. Our sins, or faults, should be searched out, and cordially, heartily put away. Earnest prayer and meditation will help much in this work. Our cry should not be to have the affliction removed, so much as to learn the object of the chastisement. When we put away our sins, when our pride is humbled, and we turn to God fully, with all the heart, our prayers will be answered, and our captivity will be turned.

The Lord would draw us nearer to him, that we might have strong faith. And the soul in deep trouble will go to God with strong cries and tears, will beseech of him the desired help, and He who numbereth all the hairs of our head, and who notices the falling sparrow, graciously answers our broken cries, in such an evident manner, that doubts are dispelled, and our faith in God strengthened. When every earthly refuge fails us, we turn to our Father in Heaven, and he saves our sinking forms; the enemy is rebuked, and joy and gladness fill our hearts. Though we have been shaken to pieces in his wrath, yet now he healeth and bindeth up. Oh! what God can deliver like the God of Israel. He can turn the heart of man at will, and in place of hatred and reproach, can give us love and esteem. Afflictions may make our hairs gray; they certainly should make our hearts better. They are not to make us eminent saints, but humble Christians. Jeremiah, in the dungeon, did not think of fame, but duty; and affliction so softened his heart that he is sometimes called the weeping prophet. Aaron was not to weep for his two sons, so unexpectedly destroyed, but obey. Job could say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” In great bodily pain, Jacob thought only of the blessing. David, though king of Israel, submitted to shameful reproach and vile slander, because the Lord sent it. The furnace will destroy only the dross. The eye of God is upon you, ye afflicted ones. Seek him with all the heart.

E. B. Saunders.