You are the one who has done
this. By Charles Simeon. I was silent, I would not open
my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. Psalm chapter
39 verse 9. For you, O God, have tried us. You refined us like silver. Psalm
chapter 66 verse 10. Behold, I have refined you, but
not as silver, I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
Isaiah chapter 48 verse 10 I will refine them as silver is refined,
and test them as gold is tested. Zechariah chapter 13 verse 9
Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Revelation chapter
3 verse 19 He knows the way that I take,
when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job chapter
23 verse 10 Though Job was presently in as
hot a furnace as he could possibly endure, he yet believed that
he was put into it by a skillful refiner, for the purifying of
his soul from dross. Those who are truly godly learn
to view the hand of God both in their comforts and in their
troubles. They know that affliction does not come by chance, but
from the hand of Him who directs everything with consummate wisdom.
Affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring
from the ground. Job 5, verse 6 the ungodly look no further than
to second causes, and therefore yield to murmuring and impatience
whenever they receive harm from the hand of their fellow-creatures.
But the godly are persuaded that their portion, whatever it is,
is mixed for them by God himself, and that it is intended, to purge
away their iniquity, that they may be partakers of his holiness.
This was evidently the view which Job had of troubles, notwithstanding
they sprang from such various sources. No one can love trouble on its
own account, since it is never joyous, but grievous. but holiness
is the highest wish of the godly soul, it is regarded as a pearl
that cannot be purchased at too high a price. Trials, however
painful, are welcomed, if they may but be the means of promoting
this blessed end. Those who are in the furnace
of affliction must ever look above all second causes, and
see God appointing the nature, measure, and duration of all
their trials. Blessed is the man whom God corrects,
so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job chapter
5 verse 17. And we know that God causes all
things to work together for good to those who love God, to those
who are called according to his purpose. Romans chapter 8 verse
28. God disciplines us for our good,
that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant
at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces
a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been
trained by it. Hebrews chapter 12 verses 10
to 11.