1. To the tearful eye of the sufferer the Lord seemed to stand still, as
if he only looked on, and did not sympathize with his afflicted one. Nay, more,
the Lord appeared to be afar off, no longer “a very present help in trouble” but an inaccessible mountain. The presence of God is
the joy of his people, but any suspicion of his absence is distracting beyond
measure. Let us, then, remember that the refiner is never far from the mouth of
the furnace when his gold is in the fire, and the Son of God is always walking
in the midst of the flames when his holy children are cast into them. Yet he
that knows the frailty of man will little wonder that when we are sharply
exercised, we find it hard to bear the apparent neglect of the Lord when he
forbears to work our deliverance. Why hidest thou thyself in times oftrouble? It is not the trouble, but the hiding of our Father’s face, which
cuts us to the quick. There is a “needs be,” not only for our trial, but for
heaviness of heart under trial (1 Peter 1:6); but how could this be the case if the Lord should shine
upon us while he is afflicting us? Should the parent comfort his child while he
is correcting him? It is only felt affliction that can become blest
affliction. If we were carried in the arms of God over every stream, where
would be the trial, and where the experience, which trouble is meant to teach
us?
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