p. 1 | The Use of Affliction by Moses Hull

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1863

The Use of Affliction.

By Moses Hull

(Concluded.)

BY MOSES HULL.

ANOTHER use of the affliction of the people of God, is that it is often a means of leading others to glorify him. David's afflictions, and the manner in which he bore them, caused his persecutor to say "I have sinned * behold I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly." 1 Sam xxvi, 21. Nebuchadnezzar caused the three Hebrew children to be cast into the "fiery furnace" to exterminate them. But what was the result? In a few moments, the hitherto proud, but now humbled monarch is saying, "Ye servants of the most high God, come forth and come hither," and a decree is passed forbidding any one "speaking anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego." By a conspiracy and strategy of the Babylonish presidents, Daniel for his devotion to the true God, was cast into a den of hungry lions; but the result was that even the king declared, that Daniel's God "delivereth and rescueth and worketh signs in heaven and the earth." Thus was the cause of God promoted by that wicked act. So the beating of Paul and Silas, and incarcerating them in prison, resulted in the conversion of the jailer, and his household, and others. From the above cases (and many others could be added,) it is plain to be seen that the affliction of God's people has resulted in the furtherance of his cause. Paul called the attention of his brethren to this point in the following language: "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which have happened to me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Phil. i, 12-14. If such be one of the results of affliction, who would not willingly endure it, knowing that "the Lord doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. iii, 33.

The uses of affliction are so numerous that they cannot all be mentioned in one short article, but I cannot forbear to mention the fact, that one of the most salutary effects of affliction is, that it serves to call the affections from this world, and place them upon a better one. Who is so well calculated to contrast this world of "sickness, sorrow, pain, and death," with that "better country," the inhabitants of which "shall never say I am sick;" as the one who has "the waters of a full cup wrung out to him," in this world? Who can appreciate liberty so well as the slave? Or who, health so well as the one who languishes under disease? Who that has never struggled with poverty can appreciate wealth? Or who that has never been injured by the tongue of calumny, can to the fullest extent appreciate good society. I apprehend that this is the point that Paul had on his mind when he said, "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly whilst ye became the companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves, that ye have in heaven a better and enduring substance." Heb. x, 32-34.

How blessed the thought, as men's goods have been confiscated on account of their Christianity, that there is "an enduring substance" in heaven "where no moth corrupteth nor thief approacheth!" Who with this blessed thought, can cast away his "confidence?"

Reader, are you astonished that Paul with this "substance" before him should say, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. iv, 16-18. And is it so? Do our "light afflictions work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory?" Then we are prepared to understand the same apostle when he says that "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God," Acts xx, 22, and hereafter we shall not be surprised, that he says, "we glory in tribulations." Rom. v, 3.

Yes, tribulation is necessary to prepare us for the kingdom. Our Saviour has taught, that every Christian grace in this world will be seasoned with persecution. Mark x, 29, 30. And Paul has taught us not to be "moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." 1 Thess. iii, 3. He set the example himself. He entered the ministry with the words of the Saviour, revolving in his mind "I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Acts ix, 16. His own language is, "And now, behold, I go bound in spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me (wait for me, margin). But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts xx, 22-24.

The great apostle to the Gentiles went forth "weeping and bearing precious seed," fully believing that in him must be "filled up that which is behind of the affliction of Christ." He "ceased not to warn men day and night with tears." How rich will be his reward when the time comes that those who have "sown in tears shall reap in joy." Ps. cxxvi, 5, 6. Dan. xii, 3.

There is yet another consolation for God's suffering children, and that is, that he will be with and deliver them. Their tears are all bottled up. Not a sigh or groan escapes their lips, or pang reaches their heart, but that is known and remembered in heaven. "The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; he is their strength in the time of trouble: and the Lord shall help them, and deliver them; he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them because they trust in him." Ps. xxxvii, 39, 40.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, "and delivereth them out of all their trouble. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Ps. xxxiv, 18-19.

Knowing it to be the case, that the Lord always delivers his children, who can but join with David in the invitation, "O taste and see that the Lord is good."

God says to his afflicted children, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, "when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel, thy Saviour. Isa. xliii, 3, 4. With such promises as these, where is the true Christian, who is not willing that the fires of affliction shall be kindled around him? They will only burn up the dross, leaving the gold purified.

"Afflictions may press me, they cannot destroy, One glimpse of his love turns them all into joy, And the bitterest tears, if he smile but on them, Like dew in the sunshine, grow diamond and gem."

David only uttered his own experience when he said

"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous, shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence." Ps. cxl, 12, 13.

When Paul besought the Lord thrice to remove his affliction, the answer he got was, "My grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul's response is, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak then am I strong." 2 Cor. xii, 8-10.

When I consider all these things, I can but beg the privilege of suffering "affliction with the people of God." I have had enough of the "pleasure of sin." Let me hear the reproach of Christ, knowing that they that suffer with him, shall also reign with him. And that our "sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory, that shall be revealed in us."

Newport, N. H.