Reflections on Affliction and God's Purpose
By A. S. Hutchins
WHILE in the enjoyment of health, the possession of wealth, and surrounded by friends, we may regard ourselves possessed of grateful hearts, and spirits submissive to the will of God, and think that we could endure adverse circumstances, afflictions, and chastisements, at the hand of our Heavenly Father, without murmuring or repining. To correct this mistaken impression, bring us nearer to himself, and to fit us for a higher sphere of usefulness, and greater happiness, the Lord, not unfrequently, puts forth his hand and touches us with afflictions, as the best means to accomplish for us what must be done to prepare us to dwell in his presence forever. While passing through the furnace of affliction, we may reflect. 1. That God does not “afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men;” “but for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” 2. That our afflictions are less than we deserve; so we may say, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” 3. If we endure afflictions as we should, they will invariably work for our present and future good. The following words of one eminently qualified to bear testimony on this point expresses the truthful language of many a submissive heart: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” There is another thought worthy of the most serious and grateful consideration. It is that He who sends, or permits and graduates, all our afflictions, is with us afflicted. Speaking of ancient Israel, Isaiah says, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” Why then start and tremble at the approach of afflictions which we cannot avoid? Let us rather seek to profit by them, that we may say, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Cor. 1: 3, 4.