'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — November 22

We can admire the wisdom and power of God, who can make his people better by their sufferings. Behold, I show you a mystery: sin brought affliction into the world, and God makes affliction carry sin out of the world. God has never intended more good to his children than when he deals most severely with them. He would rather fetch blood than lose a soul. A suffering condition is not as formidable a thing as flesh and blood represents it. The world only judges by outward appearances, for it cannot see the divine teaching upon the heart. Our blessed Saviour was heard when he offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears (Heb. 5:7). How was he heard? Not in that 'Save me from this hour', but in that 'Father, glorify your name' (John 12:27, 28). The best return of our prayers is that which works for our good, though not for our desires. When God does not answer in the letter, but in the better, we are no losers by our prayers. It is sad beyond all expression when affliction serves only as an opportunity to vent pride and murmuring as an expression of atheism in men's hearts against the Lord. Men may give God a hearing, but are resolved in their own courses. After affliction, the swearer is a swearer still, and the drunkard a drunkard still. God's day is coming when things will be judged by another standard; not after sight, but as they really are. If the children of God in affliction would sit down and consider the fruit and advantage that God knows how to bring out of their sorrows, this would keep them from undue despondency and dejections of spirit. Do not look at the suffering, but at the invisible fruit. This holds up the head, keeps the heart, and makes the soul patient. It glories in tribulation, knowing that tribulation works patience, experience, and hope (Rom. 5:3-5).

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Case, Select Works, A Treatise of Afflictions, pp. 122-131
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