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TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: Day 21
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"For it is a good thing that the heart is established with grace." Heb_13:9
The benefits which flow from the possession of grace, are numerous and exceedingly important. It is only as our hearts are established with grace—that we shall be preserved from departing from the living God; that we shall successfully resist the temptations of our spiritual adversaries; and, especially, that we shall be able to exercise a spirit of unmurmuring submission under the afflictive dispensations of divine providence. The inquiry of the prophet is—"Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?" To complain, however, under what is trying and painful—is what human nature always did, and is, doubtless, what it ever will do. How is it with nature, under crosses? It is like a goaded and wounded animal—it skulks, and groans, and growls. But how is it with grace? She kisses the hand that is uplifted; the stroke she meekly and uncomplainingly receives, and says with him of old—"It is the Lord; let him do what seems good unto Him." The language of nature is—"This evil is from the Lord; why should I wait for him any longer?" But what is the language of grace? It is—"Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" The evil referred to, being not moral—but penal evil. The language of nature is that of Job's wife—"Curse God, and die!" But what is the language of grace? It is that of the afflicted patriarch himself, when, with uplifted hands and eyes, he exclaimed, "Though he slays me—yet will I trust in him!"
It is quite certain, that there can be no murmuring when grace is in lively operation. If it cannot do as Job did, saying, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord;" it will do as Aaron did, of whom it is said, that "he held his peace." It will silently submit—if it cannot bless and adore.
But we cannot do better than point to the Great Head, as an example of patience and suffering affliction. Never were there sorrows like unto His. But if His sufferings were great, He was full of grace, and it was not by measure, that the Spirit, in His diversified gifts and graces, was given to Him. And how did that great grace operate under the extremity of grief which He bore in our stead? It was in a spirit of entire resignation to the divine will. Had He to endure the opposition of His enemies, and the fickleness of His friends? Had He to endure the malice of hell, and, especially, the dread indignation of heaven? But, in the midst of all, there was no murmuring. "When they hurled their insults at Him—He did not retaliate; when He suffered—He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."
Christian, are you for bearing your sufferings—as the Savior bore His? If you are, seek that grace which, not only was strikingly exemplified by Him—but which also dwells in unbounded plenitude in Him. It has pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and happy are those who can say, "Of his fullness have we received, and grace for grace."
At an examination of the deaf and dumb, in one of those excellent institutions, where such of our afflicted fellow-creatures are taught, the following incident is recorded as having taken place. To one of the children, a gentleman present put the question, Who created the world? The little creature wrote in reply on his slate, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Who redeemed mankind? was the next question; and no sooner was it asked, than the answer was given—"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish—but have everlasting life." And who was it, was the third question, who made you deaf and dumb? At this unexpected inquiry, the little one was deeply affected, and burst into a flood of tears; but, after having in a measure recovered himself, he wrote with a trembling hand, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight." Dear boy! he had learned an important lesson—and well would it be for you, reader, to learn the same; so that under every affliction and distress, whether in mind, body, or estate, your language might be, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight." Possessing such a spirit, you will derive from the most painful dispensations, those peaceable fruits which they were intended to produce—and God will be glorified thereby!
The benefits which flow from the possession of grace, are numerous and exceedingly important. It is only as our hearts are established with grace—that we shall be preserved from departing from the living God; that we shall successfully resist the temptations of our spiritual adversaries; and, especially, that we shall be able to exercise a spirit of unmurmuring submission under the afflictive dispensations of divine providence. The inquiry of the prophet is—"Why does a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?" To complain, however, under what is trying and painful—is what human nature always did, and is, doubtless, what it ever will do. How is it with nature, under crosses? It is like a goaded and wounded animal—it skulks, and groans, and growls. But how is it with grace? She kisses the hand that is uplifted; the stroke she meekly and uncomplainingly receives, and says with him of old—"It is the Lord; let him do what seems good unto Him." The language of nature is—"This evil is from the Lord; why should I wait for him any longer?" But what is the language of grace? It is—"Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" The evil referred to, being not moral—but penal evil. The language of nature is that of Job's wife—"Curse God, and die!" But what is the language of grace? It is that of the afflicted patriarch himself, when, with uplifted hands and eyes, he exclaimed, "Though he slays me—yet will I trust in him!"
It is quite certain, that there can be no murmuring when grace is in lively operation. If it cannot do as Job did, saying, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord;" it will do as Aaron did, of whom it is said, that "he held his peace." It will silently submit—if it cannot bless and adore.
But we cannot do better than point to the Great Head, as an example of patience and suffering affliction. Never were there sorrows like unto His. But if His sufferings were great, He was full of grace, and it was not by measure, that the Spirit, in His diversified gifts and graces, was given to Him. And how did that great grace operate under the extremity of grief which He bore in our stead? It was in a spirit of entire resignation to the divine will. Had He to endure the opposition of His enemies, and the fickleness of His friends? Had He to endure the malice of hell, and, especially, the dread indignation of heaven? But, in the midst of all, there was no murmuring. "When they hurled their insults at Him—He did not retaliate; when He suffered—He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."
Christian, are you for bearing your sufferings—as the Savior bore His? If you are, seek that grace which, not only was strikingly exemplified by Him—but which also dwells in unbounded plenitude in Him. It has pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and happy are those who can say, "Of his fullness have we received, and grace for grace."
At an examination of the deaf and dumb, in one of those excellent institutions, where such of our afflicted fellow-creatures are taught, the following incident is recorded as having taken place. To one of the children, a gentleman present put the question, Who created the world? The little creature wrote in reply on his slate, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Who redeemed mankind? was the next question; and no sooner was it asked, than the answer was given—"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish—but have everlasting life." And who was it, was the third question, who made you deaf and dumb? At this unexpected inquiry, the little one was deeply affected, and burst into a flood of tears; but, after having in a measure recovered himself, he wrote with a trembling hand, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight." Dear boy! he had learned an important lesson—and well would it be for you, reader, to learn the same; so that under every affliction and distress, whether in mind, body, or estate, your language might be, "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight." Possessing such a spirit, you will derive from the most painful dispensations, those peaceable fruits which they were intended to produce—and God will be glorified thereby!