Post by Shepherd on Nov 22, 2008 13:25:13 GMT -6
JAMES 5:11,THE LORD IS VERY PITIFUL.
We are far apt to entertain hard thoughts of God. The horrible atheism of our depraved nature continually quarrels with the Most High: and when we are under His afflicting hand, and things go cross to our will, the evil of our nature becomes sadly evident.
Let us never forget that our hard speeches and our suspicious of our God have always been libels upon Him. On taking a survey of our whole life, we see that the kindness of God has run all through it like a silver thread. Goodness and mercy have
followed us all our days, even pursuing us when we have wickedly fled form them.
Let each restored man say, “He heals all my diseases”. Let each tried one now say, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Let the aged man bring the spoils of his experience and lay them down at the feet of the Lord who hitherto hath helped him. Our desire will be to help each other to avoid future murmurings.
II. NOTICE THAT WHEN JAMES IS EXHORTING US TO FULL CONFIDENCE IN GOD IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL, HE GIVE US AN INSTRUCTIVE INSTANCE.
He quotes the story of Job. Observe that when this apostle introduces Job, it is with the view of pointing out the tender mercy of God in his case; he begins by saying, “ Behold we count them happy which endure.”
The pitifulness and tender mercy of God are to be seen in the happiness of those who are called to suffer, This arithmetic is only known to faith, and must be learned of the Lord Jesus. “WE”--that is, the church of God–count them happy who are counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. We count that man happy who has passed through trial and hardship with a brave endurance. Such life is of an interesting and manly kind; but life without struggle and difficultly is thin and tasteless.
How can a noble life be constructed if there be no difficulty to overcome, no suffering to bear? When we see what poor, paltry things those are who are nursed in the lap of luxury, and consequently never come to a real manhood, “We count them happy that endure.” There is a happiness in affliction which none will doubt who have tasted
When we look to the end of affliction, when we see all its comfortable fruit, when we mark what it corrects, and observe what it produces, we judge that it is no mean blessing. Happy is the man who has been enabled to endure; he rise from the deeps of woe like a pearl-finder from the sea, rich beyond comparison.
The cross does in very deed raise us nearer to Christ when it is fully sanctified. We never get so near to the source of all heavenly consolation as when earthly comfort is removed far away. Endurance also works in the child of God a close clinging to God, which produces near and dear communion with Him. Griefs waft us to the bosom of our God. Besides, the Lord has a choice way of manifesting Himself unto His servants in their times of weakness. He draws the curtain about the bed of His chosen sufferer, and at the same time He withdraws another curtain which afore time concealed His glory.
So wondrously doth grace work beyond nature that it transfigure bodily sickness into spiritual health.
Now notice here the notability–I had almost said the nobility–of endurance. As one truly says, Job’s bones has lain to this day in the common charnel-house of oblivion if it had not been for his sufferings and his patience.
YE HAVE HEARD OF THE PATIENCE OF JOB. But you would never have heard of Job if he had always be prosperous. Even in worldly histories it is by enduring hardness that men build their memorials. Who that has read the classics has not herd of Mutius Seaevola? Why? He was a valiant man, but he did not win his name by a common deed in battle. His fights are unrecorded; but you have heard of his laying his right hand upon the burning coals of an altar, to let Porsenna see how a Roman could endure pain without shrinking. When he suffered his right hand to burn he was writing his name in his country’s annals.
A thousand instances prove that only by endurance can names be graven in the brass of history. To make a man a man, to bring his manhood forward, and to make other men see it, there must be endurance. Once again, in order to see the pitifulness of God in sorrow, we must see the Lord’s end in it; for, saith the apostle, YE HAVE SEEN THE END OF THE LORD. God’s end in affliction is that which proves that He is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. We see not so much how grace works as what it works.
The design of the Lord is more to be noted than the method He pursues. First, remember that he Lord’s end in sending affliction to His people is corrective. Sanctified sorrow is a sharp frost which kills the germs of spiritual disease. Moreover, affliction is sent for the display of grace. Our graces lie asleep within us, like slumbering soldiers, until affliction strikes its terrible drum an awakens them.
You count yourself rich, but in the fire your gold is tested. You reckon that your house is well built, but the flames find out the wood, and hay, and stubble. Self-knowledge is never sure if it come not of tests and temptation. There we count them happy that endure, because they are less likely to be deceived. God is to be praise for the discovery of our graces, for thus affliction becomes a blessing without disguise.
Further, our trials are an education for the future. I do not think that Job was fit to have any more substance until his heart had been enlarged by trouble; then he could bear twice as much as before. Prosperity softens and renders us unfit for more of itself; but adversity brace that soul and hardens it to patience.
Beloved, I would not have you forget that The end of the Lord is always with His tried people to give them greater happiness as the result of it.
He will restore your soul even in this life, and give you joy and rest out of your sorrow.
What shall we think of these temporary inconveniences when we reach eternal felicity?
II. OUR APOSTLE MAKES A CONSOLING STATEMENT;
“The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
Observe that this is the teaching of God’s holy Word; if we have at this moment no evidence of it perceptible to sight or sense, we are bound to believe it all the same. Do not be persuaded by man or devil to think ill of your God. . He cannot forsake you.
But further, the text tells us that this truth may be seen; while it is a matter of faith, yet it may be also a matter of sight. Beloved, it is true the Lord has burdened you. Above is the billow, but “underneath are the everlasting arms.” Do you see the pitifulness of God in this? How often the mercy of God is seen in sickness and suffering by His mitigating the pain and loss? Those who are washed in the blood of Jesus shall never be drowned in the sea of sorrow. Observe also the tender pity of God in forgiving the sin of His suffering people. God deal with our naughtiness when we are under His hand; when He sees that it is rather weakness than willfulness, He is very pitiful and full of compassion, and blots out the transgressions of His people.
See how the tenderness and pitifulness of God are also seen in the revelations He makes to His saints. So also in the over-rulings of our sorrows His love is conspicuous. Bless Him,, above all, for the sweet rewards that come to His tried people when afterwards they bear the comfortable fruits of His grace, and turns their midnight into everlasting day. The Lord is very pitiful. It means literally that the Lord hath “Many bowels”, or a great heart, and so it indicates great
tenderness. “And of tender mercy”. There is then, you see, in these two words, pity for misery and mercy for sin; there is inward pity in the heart of God, and outward action in the mercy of God; there is sympathy for suffering, and grace for guilt. III. THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED OUT OF THE WHOLE SUBJECT.
The first is, be patient. The Lord never grieves us because He likes to grieve us. “He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” There is needs be for every sorrow. Lie still, brother; let the Good Shepherd clip as He pleases; though He may cut very close to the skin, He is very pitiful, and would only rid you of that which would harm you.
The next lesson is, be penitent. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. He welcomes all who repent; He is eager to forgive; delay no longer.
The last lesson is, be pitiful. If God be pitiful and of tender mercy, children of God, you are to imitate Him and to be pitiful too.
We are far apt to entertain hard thoughts of God. The horrible atheism of our depraved nature continually quarrels with the Most High: and when we are under His afflicting hand, and things go cross to our will, the evil of our nature becomes sadly evident.
Let us never forget that our hard speeches and our suspicious of our God have always been libels upon Him. On taking a survey of our whole life, we see that the kindness of God has run all through it like a silver thread. Goodness and mercy have
followed us all our days, even pursuing us when we have wickedly fled form them.
Let each restored man say, “He heals all my diseases”. Let each tried one now say, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Let the aged man bring the spoils of his experience and lay them down at the feet of the Lord who hitherto hath helped him. Our desire will be to help each other to avoid future murmurings.
II. NOTICE THAT WHEN JAMES IS EXHORTING US TO FULL CONFIDENCE IN GOD IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL, HE GIVE US AN INSTRUCTIVE INSTANCE.
He quotes the story of Job. Observe that when this apostle introduces Job, it is with the view of pointing out the tender mercy of God in his case; he begins by saying, “ Behold we count them happy which endure.”
The pitifulness and tender mercy of God are to be seen in the happiness of those who are called to suffer, This arithmetic is only known to faith, and must be learned of the Lord Jesus. “WE”--that is, the church of God–count them happy who are counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. We count that man happy who has passed through trial and hardship with a brave endurance. Such life is of an interesting and manly kind; but life without struggle and difficultly is thin and tasteless.
How can a noble life be constructed if there be no difficulty to overcome, no suffering to bear? When we see what poor, paltry things those are who are nursed in the lap of luxury, and consequently never come to a real manhood, “We count them happy that endure.” There is a happiness in affliction which none will doubt who have tasted
When we look to the end of affliction, when we see all its comfortable fruit, when we mark what it corrects, and observe what it produces, we judge that it is no mean blessing. Happy is the man who has been enabled to endure; he rise from the deeps of woe like a pearl-finder from the sea, rich beyond comparison.
The cross does in very deed raise us nearer to Christ when it is fully sanctified. We never get so near to the source of all heavenly consolation as when earthly comfort is removed far away. Endurance also works in the child of God a close clinging to God, which produces near and dear communion with Him. Griefs waft us to the bosom of our God. Besides, the Lord has a choice way of manifesting Himself unto His servants in their times of weakness. He draws the curtain about the bed of His chosen sufferer, and at the same time He withdraws another curtain which afore time concealed His glory.
So wondrously doth grace work beyond nature that it transfigure bodily sickness into spiritual health.
Now notice here the notability–I had almost said the nobility–of endurance. As one truly says, Job’s bones has lain to this day in the common charnel-house of oblivion if it had not been for his sufferings and his patience.
YE HAVE HEARD OF THE PATIENCE OF JOB. But you would never have heard of Job if he had always be prosperous. Even in worldly histories it is by enduring hardness that men build their memorials. Who that has read the classics has not herd of Mutius Seaevola? Why? He was a valiant man, but he did not win his name by a common deed in battle. His fights are unrecorded; but you have heard of his laying his right hand upon the burning coals of an altar, to let Porsenna see how a Roman could endure pain without shrinking. When he suffered his right hand to burn he was writing his name in his country’s annals.
A thousand instances prove that only by endurance can names be graven in the brass of history. To make a man a man, to bring his manhood forward, and to make other men see it, there must be endurance. Once again, in order to see the pitifulness of God in sorrow, we must see the Lord’s end in it; for, saith the apostle, YE HAVE SEEN THE END OF THE LORD. God’s end in affliction is that which proves that He is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. We see not so much how grace works as what it works.
The design of the Lord is more to be noted than the method He pursues. First, remember that he Lord’s end in sending affliction to His people is corrective. Sanctified sorrow is a sharp frost which kills the germs of spiritual disease. Moreover, affliction is sent for the display of grace. Our graces lie asleep within us, like slumbering soldiers, until affliction strikes its terrible drum an awakens them.
You count yourself rich, but in the fire your gold is tested. You reckon that your house is well built, but the flames find out the wood, and hay, and stubble. Self-knowledge is never sure if it come not of tests and temptation. There we count them happy that endure, because they are less likely to be deceived. God is to be praise for the discovery of our graces, for thus affliction becomes a blessing without disguise.
Further, our trials are an education for the future. I do not think that Job was fit to have any more substance until his heart had been enlarged by trouble; then he could bear twice as much as before. Prosperity softens and renders us unfit for more of itself; but adversity brace that soul and hardens it to patience.
Beloved, I would not have you forget that The end of the Lord is always with His tried people to give them greater happiness as the result of it.
He will restore your soul even in this life, and give you joy and rest out of your sorrow.
What shall we think of these temporary inconveniences when we reach eternal felicity?
II. OUR APOSTLE MAKES A CONSOLING STATEMENT;
“The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
Observe that this is the teaching of God’s holy Word; if we have at this moment no evidence of it perceptible to sight or sense, we are bound to believe it all the same. Do not be persuaded by man or devil to think ill of your God. . He cannot forsake you.
But further, the text tells us that this truth may be seen; while it is a matter of faith, yet it may be also a matter of sight. Beloved, it is true the Lord has burdened you. Above is the billow, but “underneath are the everlasting arms.” Do you see the pitifulness of God in this? How often the mercy of God is seen in sickness and suffering by His mitigating the pain and loss? Those who are washed in the blood of Jesus shall never be drowned in the sea of sorrow. Observe also the tender pity of God in forgiving the sin of His suffering people. God deal with our naughtiness when we are under His hand; when He sees that it is rather weakness than willfulness, He is very pitiful and full of compassion, and blots out the transgressions of His people.
See how the tenderness and pitifulness of God are also seen in the revelations He makes to His saints. So also in the over-rulings of our sorrows His love is conspicuous. Bless Him,, above all, for the sweet rewards that come to His tried people when afterwards they bear the comfortable fruits of His grace, and turns their midnight into everlasting day. The Lord is very pitiful. It means literally that the Lord hath “Many bowels”, or a great heart, and so it indicates great
tenderness. “And of tender mercy”. There is then, you see, in these two words, pity for misery and mercy for sin; there is inward pity in the heart of God, and outward action in the mercy of God; there is sympathy for suffering, and grace for guilt. III. THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED OUT OF THE WHOLE SUBJECT.
The first is, be patient. The Lord never grieves us because He likes to grieve us. “He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” There is needs be for every sorrow. Lie still, brother; let the Good Shepherd clip as He pleases; though He may cut very close to the skin, He is very pitiful, and would only rid you of that which would harm you.
The next lesson is, be penitent. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. He welcomes all who repent; He is eager to forgive; delay no longer.
The last lesson is, be pitiful. If God be pitiful and of tender mercy, children of God, you are to imitate Him and to be pitiful too.
