“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:2-3
We continue observing the thoughts of John Newton. He wrote of the amazing grace we know in Christ. But he also wrote of how grace sometimes afflicts:
“The Lord loves His children and is very indulgent to them so far as they can safely bear it, but He will not spoil them! Their sin-sickness requires strong medicines, some of which are very unpalatable. And when our case calls for such, no short-sighted entreaties of ours will excuse us from taking what He prepares for our good. It is comforting to know that every dose is prepared by His own hand, and not one is administered in vain. … Until then, no other hand can remove the affliction which He lays upon us. When His merciful design is answered, He will relieve us Himself, … [and] we shall not be overpowered.
“Afflictions are useful … to keep alive in us a conviction of the … unsatisfying nature of the present world and all its enjoyments; to remind us that this poor world is not our rest; and to call our thoughts upward, where our true treasure is, and where our hearts ought to be.”
“The Lord loves His children and is very indulgent to them so far as they can safely bear it, but He will not spoil them! Their sin-sickness requires strong medicines, some of which are very unpalatable. And when our case calls for such, no short-sighted entreaties of ours will excuse us from taking what He prepares for our good. It is comforting to know that every dose is prepared by His own hand, and not one is administered in vain. … Until then, no other hand can remove the affliction which He lays upon us. When His merciful design is answered, He will relieve us Himself, … [and] we shall not be overpowered.
“Afflictions are useful … to keep alive in us a conviction of the … unsatisfying nature of the present world and all its enjoyments; to remind us that this poor world is not our rest; and to call our thoughts upward, where our true treasure is, and where our hearts ought to be.”
Scripture Focus
1 Peter 1:3-9
Insight
“In the mansions of our King/ Sweets abound without a sting;/ Thornless there the roses blow,/ And the joys unmingled flow.” (John Newton, 1803)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 14-15
- Psalm 78
- John 19
