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One of God's medicines!
(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel
of John")
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time,
but painful. Later on, however, it produces a
harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11
Affliction is one of God's medicines!
By it He often teaches lessons which
would be learned in no other way.
By it He often draws souls away from sin
and the world, which would otherwise have
perished everlastingly.
Health is a great blessing—but
sanctified disease is a greater.
Prosperity and worldly comfort, are what
all naturally desire—but losses and crosses
are far better for us—if they lead us to Christ.
Let us beware of murmuring in the time of trouble.
Let us settle it firmly in our minds, that there
is a meaning, a 'needs be', and a message from
God—in every sorrow that falls upon us.
There are no lessons so useful as those
learned in the school of affliction.
There is no commentary that opens up the
Bible so much as sickness and sorrow.
The resurrection morning will prove, that
many of the losses of God's people were
in reality, eternal gains.
Thousands at the last day, will testify with
David—"It is good for me that I have been
afflicted!" Psalm. 119:71
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