Weary mariner on life's tempestuous ocean!
"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke - because the Lord disciplines those He loves, just as a father disciplines the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12
To the children of God, afflictions are sent in mercy. They are directed by love.
They are designed . . .
to draw us more closely to the Savior,
to mortify indwelling sin,
to purify our hearts,
to wean us from earth,
to elevate our affections to that blessed world where there shall be no more pain.Every breeze of earthly sorrow is only wafting us to those high and heavenly abodes, where temporal ills are forever unknown!
Oh, then, when ready to sink under the accumulated ills of life - let us come to the Savior in the time of trouble.
Weary mariner on life's tempestuous ocean, when afflictions cloud your sky, and billows roar around you - then cling to the Savior in grateful, confiding love.
Amid all your difficulties and dangers, He will whisper consolation to you, and support your fainting soul with the richest consolation and the choicest promises. You will then be enabled to bear the trials of life with composure - knowing that, like the Captain of our salvation, you must also be made perfect through suffering; and that these light and momentary afflictions are working for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!
You will then experience the sweetness of the divine promises - and in the midst of outward trouble, enjoy inward peace.