Submission in trials

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

"Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward!" Job 5:7

"Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble!" Job 14:1
 
"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." John 16:33

It is true that our afflictions are great and manifold. Yet we have no reason for complaint, when we know that our afflictions are all ordered in number, measure, and duration--for our best and greatest good, according to the counsels of God's infinite wisdom and love!

We have no reason for complaint, when we are assured that our afflictions are the very things which we would choose for ourselves, if we saw the outcome of them as clearly as God sees it!

If we view our afflictions in this way, we shall receive even the most painful of God's dispensations as blessings in disguise!

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your Word!" Psalm 119:67

"It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn Your decrees." Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18