'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — July 20

In our prosperity we love earthly blessings and dote upon things in this world as if our happiness and comfort were bound up in them. In the day of adversity God convinces us of our mistake, and causes us to see the emptiness of this material world. It is a mere nothing: 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity' (Eccles. 1:2). We can see in affliction that the world is not what it seems, not what it promises, and not what we expected and flattered ourselves with. Whatever a man makes his riches, whether friend, wealth, or earthly interests, they cannot deliver out of the hands of death and judgment (Prov. 11:4). The soul finds by experience the unsuitableness and dissatisfaction in all these things. There is no comparison between an invisible soul and visible comforts; an immortal soul and perishing contentments; a spiritual being and an earthly portion. The air we breathe will as soon fill a hungry belly as creature-comforts will satisfy the spirit. In the hour of trial the soul says, 'Miserable comforters you all are, you are physicians of no value’ (Mark 5:26). Ah, but there is infinite fullness in Jesus Christ. He is suited to all the needs of poor undone sinners. No king was anointed with such power; no prophet with such wisdom; no priest with such grace, for God gave him the Spirit without measure (John 3:34), and of his fullness we receive grace for grace. If we fill ourselves with the world, the less we will delight in Christ. This is our sin and our folly. But when God spreads sackcloth on the earthly, we discover the beauty of Christ and can taste his sweetness. He infinitely transcends all the beauty and glory of the world. He is our King to govern; our Prophet to teach; our Priest to save. How precious! Give me Christ, or else I die!

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Case, Select Works, A Treatise of Affliction, pp. 83-87
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