Divine Equity

James Smith

"He will not lay upon man more than right" Job 34:23

The burdens of the Christian are often heavy. The flesh cries out. The spirit is almost ready to complain. If he loses sight of God being the first great cause—his courage fails, his patience gives way, and the enemy prevails against him. But if he can see the Lord's hand, though he may not be able to trace out the cause of his sufferings—yet he is silent, he knows it is right.

The Lord lays on our burdens, and he lays them on just where he pleases. He fixes the weight, and he appoints the place on which every one is laid. Whatever he does is right. If God burdens us—it is right. Laid on the right part, at the right time, in right measure. "He will not lay on man more than is right." He cannot be unjust. He will not be unkind.

Christian, is your trial in the body, or the soul? In the family or the business? In the church, or in the world? Does it lay principally on the head, or the heart? On the flesh or the spirit? Remember, the Lord laid it on. There is no mistake. It is necessary. It is not too heavy. Complaining will do no good, praying will. Pettishness will increase the weight—but patience will lighten it. Let every pain prompt a prayer. Let every groan be vented at the throne of grace. The Lord's hand laid on your present burden, and the Lord's eye is watching how you bear it. He intends your good by it. It is not for his pleasure—but for your profit, that you may partake of his holiness.

My soul, however severe your trial, however heavy your cross—endeavor to bear it in silence. Or, only let your voice be heard at your Father's throne. The Lord is right in trying you thus, and you will see it by and bye. It is not too heavy a trial, and you will acknowledge that also when you are delivered. The proud spirit must be humbled. The flesh must be mortified. The grace given must be employed. The vessel of mercy must be polished—and thus prepared for glory. Present sorrows are the seed of future joys. The cross will prepare for the crown. The night of suffering will usher in the morning of joy—the never-ending day of peace and pleasure, Once in paradise, we shall soon forget the privations of the world. Once glorified with Jesus, the present will appear so different to what it does now.

Let the eye of faith be fixed on the hope laid up for us in heaven. Let hope anticipate the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus. Let thought rush into the future, and, like the Israelitish spies, bring the fruits of the promised land into the desert. There is an end to every trial, and it may be much nearer than we expect. There is a time coming, when every tear shall be wiped away, every groan shall be hushed into silence; or rather, when the cause of groans and tears shall be forever done away. He who has promised to come—will come; and even before he comes to us in glory, he will come in grace, filling us with all joy and peace in believing. Jesus, the faithful Jesus, sympathizes with us, and will soon deliver us. Until then let this soothe, silence, and satisfy us, "He will not lay upon man more than right.'"