Called him father in the furnace
by Thomas Sherman from AIDS to the divine life a series of practical
Christian contemplations 1680 Our fathers disciplined us for
a little while, as they thought best. But 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. The afflictions of the wicked
are punishments from God as an angry judge, but the afflictions
of the godly are chastisements from God as a gracious father. The afflictions of the wicked,
moreover, are preludes to their future misery, but the corrections
of the godly are preparations for their future glory. See,
I have refined you, though not as silver, I have tested you
in the furnace of affliction, Isaiah 48.10. Under all afflictive
dispensations, therefore, hold fast upon God. call Him Father
in the furnace. Keep up honorable thoughts of
God as to His dealings, and low thoughts of yourself as to your
deservings. All the paths of the Lord, in
reference to His people, are mercy and truth, Psalm 25, verse
10. In our affliction, God in mercy
is fulfilling some of his faithful promises for our good. He will
not allow his children to go on in the way of sin without
seasonable rebukes to bring them again to himself. If you would,
therefore, discern the goodness of God in your affliction Consider
wherein you stand in need of it.