Morning
Exercises; for Every Day in the Year, by Reverend William Jay (Sprinkle
Publications; Harrisonburg, Virginia), 1998.
September
25.
“I
would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” Psa. 55:8.
“Such was the language of David; and
it may be the language of any other good man, in the depths of distress. But is
it allowable and proper? There is no perfection here; and there is nothing
concerning which we should indulge more tenderness of censure than hasty
expressions, uttered under the pressure of pain or grief. Perhaps it was to
prevent our severity here that the cases of Job and Jeremiah are recorded, both
of whom, though eminent in piety, cursed the day of their birth. The Scripture
is not harsh upon them; and it is observable, that when James refers to one of
these bitterly complaining sufferers, he only says, ‘Ye have heard of the
patience of Job.’ They who have never been in a state of peculiar distress,
know little of the feelings of human nature under it. But there are others who
can respond to the invitation of sympathy: ‘Pity me , pity me, O ye my friends,
for the hand of God hath touched me.’ And the Father of mercies knows our
frame, and remembers that we are dust. We are not required to choose suffering
for its own sake, or to be indifferent to ease and deliverance. Our Savior
himself had not that fortitude which mocks at pain, but that which felt deeply,
and yet submitted. With strong cryings and tears he prayed, ‘Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be
done.’
“But what allows of excuse, truth
does not require us to commend. It was his infirmity that induced David to long
for death, to hasten his escape from the stormy wind and tempest: and an old
writer tells us it would have been more honorable for him to have asked for the
strength of an ox to bear his trials, than for the wings of a dove to flee from
them. Is not such language unworthy and ungrateful? Should we overlook and
forget all our comforts? Have not
these been great and numerous? And did we then
long to flee away? Yea, are they not
many and various even now? And shall
we only dwell on the dark side? Let us examine again, and let truth and
thankfulness stand by. And may they not yet
be many and great? Afflictions are not immutable dispensations. What changes
often take place, to the surprise as well as joy of desponding sufferers.
‘The
Lord can change the darkest skies—
Can
give us day for night;
Make
drops of sacred sorrow rise
To
rivers of delight.’
“And is there no unbelief in the case? You are
afraid of all your sorrows; and not only of their continuance and increase, but
of their influence and effects. You dread lest you should not bear them
properly, so as to glorify God; but sink in the day of adversity. Yet, O thou
of little faith, wherefore dost thou doubt? Is not he able to preserve and support and comfort thee? And has he not engaged to do it? Has he not said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee? ‘When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when
thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the
flame kindle upon thee.’ And has not his conduct always accorded with this
assurance, both with regard to others and with regard to thyself?
‘Did
trouble ever yet befall,
And
he refuse to hear they call?
And
has he not his promise passed,
That
thou shalt overcome at last?’
More than once you have been appalled in the prospect of a trial; but when the
evil day came, there came with it mercy and grace to help. Perhaps you even
gloried in tribulation. Perhaps you would not refuse to pass through some of
those distressing exercises again, to enjoy the same peace and comfort.
“Is there not much ignorance and inconsideration in this impatience? How do you
know that it is better to escape from these troubles than to bear them? Not one
of them has befallen you by chance. May you not infer the righteousness of them
all from their very author? Is not his work perfect? Are not his ways judgment?
He doth all things well. Does he detain you in distress because he does not
love you? Yea, he loved you with an everlasting love; and withheld not his own
Son from you. You may therefore entirely confide in him, assured that if he
does not release you, it is because he waits to be gracious; and also equally
assured, that blessed are all they that wait for him; for it is good for a man
not only to hope, but quietly wait
for the salvation of the Lord.
“First, your own welfare may require
the process. The Saviour was made perfect through suffering; and the character of
every Christian is more formed and improved from his afflictions than his
enjoyments. What would some of you have lost, had you fled away before such a
trying dispensation enriched your faith and hope. How much of your happiness in
heaven will arise from a review of your present conflicts on earth. The very
trial of your faith is precious; and the crown of life is promised, not to him
that escapes, but to him that endureth temptation. Afflictions are
heavenly agents, and work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory.
“Secondly, the welfare of others may
require it also. We are detained here to be useful, and we are often most
useful in our trials. Nothing strikes like facts. The passive graces are the
most impressive. They are better than a thousand sermons; better to arrest the
careless, to instruct the ignorant, to encourage the timid, to comfort the
desponding. It was well Bunyan did not escape from the prison at Bedford, or we
should not have had his Pilgrim’s Progress, and his Holy War. Paul was a
prisoner, and knew to depart and be with Christ was far better; nevertheless,
because it was more needful for the Philippians, he was willing to abide in the
flesh, and acquiesced in the adjournment of his deliverance and bliss. And here
you also may be wanted. Perhaps you
have a venerable mother, and are required to rock the cradle of her age who
rocked the cradle of your infancy. Perhaps you are a parent, and a rising
family is dependent on your care, instructed by your wisdom, edified by your
example. We are all placed in circumstances where we may prove a blessing, and
this is our only opportunity. We may glorify God in heaven, but not in the same
way as now, by submission, patience and self-denial. This is an advantage we
have above the glorified. They cannot exercise candor, and forgive injuries,
and relieve distress, and save souls. Life is ours as well as death. Therefore
all the days of our appointed time let us wait, till our change comes.”
-From
Morning Exercises; for Every Day in the Year, by Reverend William Jay of
England (Sprinkle Publications; Harrisonburg, Virginia), 1998.
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