DOES GOD AFFLICT?

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 29, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 29.

DOES GOD AFFLICT?

IN connection with the troubles of this life there are two very common errors against which believers should be guarded. One is that, by the exercise of a certain kind of faith, we may be entirely exempt from bodily afflictions at least. The other is that God does not afflict his children at all, but on the other hand we are to find the cause of our trials in the malice and power of the devil. Both of these errors are so plainly contradicted by the inspired Scriptures, it is surprising that any intelligent Christian holds them.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Ps. 24:19); “in the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33); “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22); “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him” (Rom. 8:17); “unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; . . . Epaphroditus was sick nigh unto death” (Phil. 1:29; 2:27); “Trophimus have I left sick at Miletus” (2 Tim. 4:20); “if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Heb. 12: 8); “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” 1 Pet. 4:12. Indeed suffering is always the badge of sonship, as shown by the experience of prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all Christians who have lived on the earth.

In the second place, it is God who sends these afflictions. “My son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.” Heb. 12:5-7. “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten” (Rev. 3:19); “as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee” (Deut. 8:5); “who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?” (Ex. 4:11); “the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David” (2 Sam. 12:15); “Thou laidst affliction upon our loins” (Ps. 66:11); “Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again.” Ps. 71:20. Thus it is all the way through the Bible, and it is marvelous that any one can fail to recognize the hand of God in the afflictions that often rend the soul. If he does not send nor control them, why pray to him?

In the third place, he sometimes sends trouble through the agency of Satan. When he tested Job he said unto Satan, “Behold all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” Job 1:12. “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel,” bringing upon the people a fearful pestilence. 1 Chron. 21:1. “Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years.” Luke 14:16. “Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” 2 Cor. 12:7. But in all such cases God keeps his hand upon the devil, who can do nothing without the royal permission of his master.

In the fourth place, afflictions are always sent for the good of God’s children. “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes . . . I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” Ps. 119:67, 71, 75. “I will correct thee in measure” (Jer. 30:11), or in moderation, and he is so careful in measuring out the medicine of affliction, that he will not add a dose or drop too much. Hence he says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord [do not fling it from you, as a bitter medicine, and yet expect a cure]; neither be weary of his correction, [the Hebrew word being derived from one which means a thorn]. For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Prov. 3:11, 12. “I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isa. 48:10. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10. As a wise and loving Refiner he sits by the furnace; and soon a crown will rest on the aching brow.—The Truth.