God’s Purposes in Affliction   “It does not impair the doctrine of a kind and special providence towards the righteous that they are often involved in the same untoward events with the wicked. This often occurs, as inspired writers admit.  ‘All things come alike to all:  there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not' (Eccl. 9:2).  A pious wife shares with her wicked husband the poverty and misery which his vices bring on them like an armed man. An invading army overwhelms saints and sinners with evils which are common to all. The event is the same; but the design, uses and effects are quite different. The purpose of God in afflicting His real people is to make them more useful, more humble, and in the end more glorious. His design in afflicting incorrigible foes is to punish them for their sins, show His wrath, and make them examples of His terrible justice, as they have been the thankless receivers of countless mercies.  So also prosperity awakens the gratitude and refines the feelings of the pious man, but hardens the heart of His wicked neighbor. Thus the prosperity of fools destroys them.”   -- William S. Plumer (1802-1880)   None Truly Seek God   “None seek God as his rule, as his end, as his happiness, which is a debt the creature naturally owes to God.  He desires no communion with God; he places his happiness in anything inferior to God; he prefers everything before Him, glorifies everything above Him; he hath no delight to know Him; he regards not those paths which lead to Him; he loves his own filth better than God's holiness; his actions are tinctured and dyed with self, and are void of that respect which is due from him to God.”       -- Stephen Charnock (1628-1680)   ---------------- God’s Ways I asked for grace to lift me high Above the world’s depressing cares; God sent me sorrows,—with a sigh I said, “He has not heard my prayers.”   I asked for light, that I might see My path along life’s thorny road; But clouds and darkness shadowed me When I expected light from God.   I asked for peace, that I might rest To think my sacred duties o’er, When, lo! such horrors filled my breast As I had never felt before.   “And, oh,” I cried, “can this be prayer Whose plaints the steadfast mountains move? Can this be Heaven’s prevailing care? And, O my God, is this Thy love?”   But soon I found that sorrow, worn As Duty’s garment, strength supplies, And out of darkness meekly borne Unto the righteous light doth rise.   And soon I found that fears which stirred My startled soul God’s will to do, On me more lasting peace conferred Than in life’s calm I ever knew. Then, Lord, in thy mysterious ways Lead my dependent spirit on, And whensoe’er it kneels and prays Teach it to say, “Thy will be done!” Let its one thought, one hope, one prayer, Thine image seek, thy glory see; Let every other wish and care Be left confidingly to thee. -- John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811-1875)