Why does God afflict us? by Ashton
Oxenden from the Blessings and Trials of Sickness 1863 Affliction does not come forth
from the dust, neither does trouble spring forth out of the ground.
Job 5.6 Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines
you for your own good. Deuteronomy 8.5 I know, O Lord, that your laws
are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm
119 verse 75 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. Revelation
chapter 3 verse 19 For whom the Lord loves, he chastens and scourges
every son whom he receives. Hebrews chapter 12 verse 6 I was silent, I would not open
my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. Psalm 39 verse
9 Dear reader, I have come into
your sick room, as it were, and wish to tell you a few things
for your comfort and profit. God has seen fit to stop you
in the midst of your busy life and to lay you aside for a while.
It is not by chance that His afflicting hand has fallen upon
you. It is not at random that He has
chastened you. It may seem to be a mere accident
that you are afflicted and not another. But no, God has done
it purposely. Learn this, then, that your present
sickness or affliction is from God. It is His doing. He it is
who has brought this present chastisement upon you. not even
a sparrow falls to the ground without our Heavenly Father's
ordering and he prizes his redeemed children more than many sparrows. Sickness usually comes as a messenger
of divine love. It is sent to be a blessing and
may be made by God's grace a very great blessing to the soul. God
afflicts his children because he desires to do them some great
good. The gardener cuts and prunes
his tree to make it grow better and bear more precious fruit.
In the same way, God often uses his sharp knife for some gracious
purpose. The wise and loving father thwarts
his child and sometimes scourges it for its good. Just so, God
uses his chastening rod for the very same reason. The skillful
physician prescribes nauseous medicines to restore his patient's
health. In the same way, God makes us
take his bitter medicines, though at the time they are very distasteful
to us. Why does God afflict us? because
he loves us and wishes to make us holy as he is holy and happy
as he is happy for as it has been well said fiery trials make
golden Christians God had one son without sin but he never
had any son without sorrow God chastens purposely and lovingly. Affliction comes from Him, and
He afflicts, not as a stern judge, but as a Father and a Friend. Before then you go a step further,
ask God to convince you of this precious truth. It is my Father
who corrects me. Even he who loves me, I will
receive this chastisement then from him. And remember that it
is a loving hand that smites. I will kiss the very rod that
scourges me. Father, not my will, but may
your will be done. A true Christian will receive
affliction with submission. It is his father's doing, and
therefore he quietly submits. It comes from him. I must therefore
be well. He feels that there is a needs
be for him. What a sweet pillow is this on
which to rest his weary head. 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 you