Suffering & Affliction

On Laying Foundations

Luke 6:46-49

… When sickness comes, they have no joy of heart to sustain them under its pains. And when death, that most terrible of storms, beats upon them, they feel …

The Loaded Wagon

… When you, as many of you have done, sin with the higher hand because of his long-suffering toward you; when, because you have no sickness, no losses …

Over the Mountains

Song 2:16

… He is quite at home with pain and weakness, for, "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness." He is at home with despondency, for He was …

Christ Put On

Romans 13:14

… Here you have a garment for the private chamber or the public forum, for sickness or for health, for honor or for reproach, for life or for death …

Providence—as Seen in the Book of Esther

Esther 9:1

… You must not suppose that those who are God's servants will be screened from trial—that is no part of the design of Providence. "If you are …

The Filling of Empty Vessels

2 Kings 4:3

… He desires that the trial of faith should be carried on till faith grows strong and comes to full assurance. The sycamore fig never ripens into sweetness unless …

The Light of the World

John 8:12

… Amidst the conflict of opinions, His sure Word will prove your safe chart! He is the guiding Light through sickness and suffering—trust Him, and He will make …

An Immovable Foundation

Psalm 11:3

… Sickness will show Him whose visage was more marred than any man's. Shame will teach you His shame—and suffering will reveal to you His suffering. And …

The Yoke Removed and the Lord Revealed

Ezekiel 34:27

… I have been a great loser but, still, I am a greater gainer than a loser! I would not have missed this trial though I dreaded it! I …

Abram's Call—or, Half-Way—and All the Way

Genesis 11:31

… The walk of the separated Believer involves trial. The trial of Abram in leaving his country was but one out of ten which are recorded. It is written …

Christ's Finished Work

John 19:30

… of sorrow, child of suffering, rejoice that the sufferings of your Lord are over, and that in all the suffering, and all the trial, and all the sorrow …

A Frail Leaf

Job 13:25

… Then came sickness with threatening omen upon one that was still nearer and dearer. Still did not the desolation stay its gloomy portents. It seemed at length as …

A Song and a Solace

Job 10:12

… But when God graciously raises us up from sickness, we ought to bless Him for giving us life again— prolonged, restored, enjoyable life. And when the heart itself …

The Search Warrant

John 6:64

… God has nowhere promised us exemption from affliction and trial. Indeed, it has been said, with much truth, that the Old Testament promise was one of prosperity, but …

Eyes Opened

2 Kings 6:17

… It is a grand opportunity for you when you visit a man in the time of sickness, or when you find him depressed in spirit, or hear him …

The Servants and the Pounds

Luke 19:12

… It is a continuous toil, a varied trial, a remarkable test, a valuable discipline—and this is why the nobleman put his bondsmen to it, that he might …

Evening, January 22

Job 1:9

… bring forth fruit, you will have to endure affliction. “Alas!” you say, “that is a terrible prospect.” But this affliction works out such precious results, that the Christian …

Longing To Find God

Job 23:3

… I am sure that, in the hour of trial, nothing will stand a man in good stead but simple faith in God by Jesus Christ. "Oh!" says one …

The Old Way of the Wicked

Job 22:15-17

… That sickness of yours from which you have just recovered. That loss of property which has made you so sorrowful. That dire affliction which you see in a …

The Rocky Fortress and Its Inhabitant

Isaiah 33:15

… But trying times come and days of adversity—and then the false brethren are discerned! When persecution arises, the hypocrites are offended! When affliction rushes like a torrent …

Holy Song From Happy Saints

Isaiah 5:1

… our thanks, but by that silent blessing of Him which consists in patient suffering and accepting the evil as well as the good from Jehovah's hand. That …

The Two Builders And Their Houses

Matthew 7:24-27

… At one time an unrenewed will rebels fiercely and he has to feign resignation to affliction. Next an unconquered lust demands indulgence, and he has to conceal the …

At School

Psalm 143:10

… We practically say, "This trial is too menial. I will bear it without Him." We forget that the same God who rules the stars condescends to be a …

Psalm 3

Psalm 3

… There is a lifting up in honour after shame, in health after sickness, in gladness after sorrow, in restoration after a fall, in victory after a temporary defeat …

The Dream of Pilate's Wife

Matthew 27:19

… It is, therefore, no small trouble to him that she is suffering—suffering so much as to send a message to him. She was suffering because of One …

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm 149:4-6

… It is little wonder that under such infirmities the brave heart grows faint! And it is especially so when there is mental affliction added to the physical pain …

The Believer's Heritage of Joy

Psalm 119:111

… Such testimonies as these are full of joy and gladness to the young folk—they can encounter trial with a joyous heart when they hear what their fathers …

Thinking and Turning

Psalm 119:59

… But does He work ordinarily as He did in the Apostle? Hear Paul's words. "In me, first, did God show forth all long-suffering for a pattern …

"Clear Shining After Rain"

2 Samuel 23:4

… of things manifested in trial followed by deliverance. Were you ever nearer to God, my dear tried Friend, than after a very heavy affliction, when God appeared for …

An Encouraging Lesson From Paul's Conversion

Acts 9:13-16

… And hearts were impressed that were hard as iron until the fire of affliction melted them. I believe Death himself to be an able ally of a faithful …

The Garden Of The Soul

Matthew 26:36

… Christ's spiritual suffering was altogether within the veil. As I have said, no one could describe it. But His soul-sufferings had some witnesses. Not the rabble …

The King In His Beauty

Isaiah 33:17

… O that we could crown Him more gloriously than we do! We should count no expense to be wasted that could glorify Christ! Suffering would be pleasure and …

The Crown of Thorns

Matthew 27:29

… It was a crown of thorns which pierced His head and caused Him suffering as well as shame—and that suffices us. Our inquiry, now, is—what do …

Great Joy In the City

Acts 8:8

… Thank God, we do not know, in the real sense, what persecution is, for they cannot do much to us, nowadays, except expose us to the trial of …

Sovereignty and Salvation

Isaiah 45:22

… God teaches his people every day, by sickness, by affliction, by depression of spirits, by the forsakings of God, by the loss of the Spirit for a season …

The Tabernacle—Outside The Camp

Exodus 33:7

… to a sort of martyrdom before a slow fire by giving you the trial of cruel ridicule; you will find that many a tie has to be cut …

Theocracy

Psalm 44:4

… If ever you are in sickness. If ever you are under slander and reproach, if ever your spirit is depressed—if ever family trials affect you, if ever …

An Earnest Warning Against Unbelief

Hebrews 8:18

… It was not merely what they had seen, what they had been taught and the long-suffering they had enjoyed—they had received very remarkable favors. They drank …

"And We Are"—a Jewel from the Revised Version

1 John 3:1

… I can sing with the poet— "God in Israel sows the seeds Of affliction, pain and toil. These spring up and choke the weeds Which would else overspread …

The Marvelous Magnet

John 12:32

… of persecution, affliction, or death—these are the rough winds which fill her sails. No progress is surer than that which comes of holy suffering. The enemies of …