For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men (Lam. 3:33).
This is really a promise, though not found in the form of a promise; and a wonderful promise it is, too. We find it right in the middle of the book of Lamentations, the book of sorrows, written by a man who had many sorrows. Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem of coming calamities because of their disobedience to God. He pleaded with them to turn from their evil ways. Though he himself was blamed for their troubles, falsely accused, and thrown into prison, still he loved his people, his city, his nation. He lived in a time of trouble, and he was a man of trouble. Once he cried out, "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow" (Lam. 1:12); but he never accused God of bringing afflictions upon the people for no purpose. He made it clear that it was because the people had transgressed and the Lord desired to bring their hearts back to Him. He said that the Lord was his "refuge in the day of affliction" (Jer. 16:19).
It may be that in our afflictions, sorrows, and troubles, God is trying to teach us some lesson that we will not otherwise learn. When I was a child my mother and father had to chasten me often for my wrongdoing, but I never resented it, because I knew they loved me. Always I saw a tear glistening or felt a hand trembling on my head. Remember, friend, God loves us, every one.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.
__George Matheson
MEDITATION PRAYER: "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me" (Ps. 119:75).
This is really a promise, though not found in the form of a promise; and a wonderful promise it is, too. We find it right in the middle of the book of Lamentations, the book of sorrows, written by a man who had many sorrows. Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem of coming calamities because of their disobedience to God. He pleaded with them to turn from their evil ways. Though he himself was blamed for their troubles, falsely accused, and thrown into prison, still he loved his people, his city, his nation. He lived in a time of trouble, and he was a man of trouble. Once he cried out, "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow" (Lam. 1:12); but he never accused God of bringing afflictions upon the people for no purpose. He made it clear that it was because the people had transgressed and the Lord desired to bring their hearts back to Him. He said that the Lord was his "refuge in the day of affliction" (Jer. 16:19).
It may be that in our afflictions, sorrows, and troubles, God is trying to teach us some lesson that we will not otherwise learn. When I was a child my mother and father had to chasten me often for my wrongdoing, but I never resented it, because I knew they loved me. Always I saw a tear glistening or felt a hand trembling on my head. Remember, friend, God loves us, every one.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.
__George Matheson
MEDITATION PRAYER: "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me" (Ps. 119:75).
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