(The Road of Affliction) Part 1

“The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of

affliction.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

This is the 256^th letter:

Text for the day: James 1:2-3, 12

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Our Devotional

The twenty first century has been an unpredictable time for so many across the world. Almost every week, we have seen natural or intentional affliction on mankind. The big question by rulers of nations and statesmen, is how long can we bear under the load of these afflictions, of the events taking place about us. They are also watching the relations that exist among the nations, and the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element.

Today there is a misconception of the Bible and the sure promises that God has given to those who are afflicted. Although God doesn’t bring affliction, yet it is clear from the Bible that He allows it to come our way. Neither is it true that all afflictions are chastisement from God for sin. It is not the will of God to have people go on suffering from day to day. If we sin, He pleads with the transgressor according to His tender mercy to repent. If they repent He will forgive them of their sins. But some form of affliction will be the out growth of the sin committed. This is apart of sowing and reaping.

If you lay down with dogs, you will get up with fleas. In other words, sometimes God allows His people to suffer just to demonstrate the power of His grace. When affliction comes into our life as chastisement, it is never penal [that is, from God as judge], but the chastisement is always remedial [that is, from a loving heavenly Father]. We can learn great lessons from our afflictions, or the afflictions of others that bring joy. The Bible has little to say in praise of men. Little space is given to recounting the virtues of even the best men who have ever lived. This silence is not without purpose; and is not without a lesson.

All the good qualities that men possess are the gift of God; their good deeds are performed by the grace of God through Christ. Since they owe all to God the glory of whatever they are or do belongs to Him alone; they are but instruments in His hands. In the spirit of self-confidence and self-exaltation King David's heart was lead astray from God and he fell from Gods grace. After his sin of adultery was discovered with Bathsheba, and his murder of one of his faithful servants Uriah, he should have been put to death.

Nathan the prophet was bidden to bear a message of reproof to David. It was a message terrible in its severity. God loves the sinner, but he detests their sins. Nathan delivered the divine sentence unflinchingly, yet with much heaven-born wisdom, 2 Samuel 12.

Nathan fixed his eyes upon the king; then, lifting his right hand to heaven, he solemnly declared, "Thou art the man." "Wherefore," he continued, "hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?" The guilty may attempt, as David had done, to conceal their crime from men; they may seek to bury the evil deed forever from human sight or knowledge; but "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:13. "There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known." Matthew 10:26.

The prophet's rebuke touched the heart of David; his conscience was aroused and guilt appeared in all its enormity. His soul was bowed in penitence before God. With trembling lips he said, "I have sinned against the Lord." The sentence of death was transferred from David to the child of his sin. Thus the king was given opportunity to repent and he did.

The Lord could not, under any circumstance, sanction iniquity. He could not exercise His power to protect David from the results of his sin as he had protected him from the enmity of Saul. He felt humbled in the eyes of his subjects. His influence was weakened. As a father in his own household, his authority and claim to respect and obedience from his sons, was weakened. A sense of his guilt kept him silent when he should have condemned sin; it made his arm feeble to execute justice in his house. His evil example exerted its influence upon his sons, and God would not interpose to prevent the result. He would permit things to take their natural course, and thus David was severely chastised.

For a whole year after everything was the same until one day the outward evidence of God's displeasure came. There are some who, by pointing to the example of David, try to lessen the guilt of their own sins, but they should learn from the Bible record that the way of transgression is hard. Though like David they should turn from their evil course, the results of sin, even in this life, will be found bitter and hard to bear.

Before the divine sentence was pronounced against David he had begun to reap the fruit of transgression. His conscience was not at rest, (Psalm 32:1-4), but when the message of reproof came to him, he repented of his sins, (Psalm 51:1-17). Instead of endeavoring to conceal his guilt he desired that others might be instructed by the sad history of his fall.

David's repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to reduce the severity of his crime; No desire to escape the judgments threatened; this is what inspired his prayer. But he saw the enormity of his transgression against God; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. Though David had fallen, the Lord lifted him up, (Psalm 32:5-7).

Who so ever is under the reproof of God will humble their soul with confession and repentance, as did David, may be sure that there is hope. Who so ever will in faith accept God's promises, will find pardon. The Lord will never cast away one truly repentant soul. He has given this promise: "Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me." Isaiah 27:5. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:7.

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This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci

Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry when we shall look at, (The Road of Affliction) Part 2

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Our Prayer for today:

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:17-20.

May GOD continue to Bless, Guard and keep you within his will.

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