The furnace of affliction

The furnace of affliction #45770 Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:27 AM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 3,463 Likes: 69 NH chestnutmare OP Annie Oakley
OP chestnutmare Annie Oakley Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 3,463 Likes: 69 NH	"In the world you shall have tribulation." John 16:33 Octavius Winslow Could we draw aside, for a moment, the thin veil that separates us from the glorified saints, and inquire the path along which they were conducted by a covenant God to their present enjoyments, how few exceptions, if any, would we find to that declaration of Jehovah, "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction." All would tell of some peculiar cross; some domestic, relative, or personal trial which attended them every step of their journey; which made the valley they trod, truly, "a valley of tears," and which they only threw off when the spirit, divested of its robe of flesh, fled where sorrow and sighing are forever done away. God's people are a sorrowful people. The first step they take in the divine life is connected with tear's of godly sorrow; and, as they, travel on, sorrow and tears do but trace their steps. They sorrow over the body of sin which they are compelled to carry with them; they sorrow over their perpetual proneness to depart, to backslide, to live below their high and holy calling. They mourn that they mourn so little; they, weep that they weep so little; that over so much indwelling sin, over so many and so great departures, they yet are found so seldom mourning in the posture of one low in the dust before God. In connection with this, there is the sorrow which results from the needed discipline which the correcting hand of the Father who loves them almost daily employs. For, in what light are all their afflictions to be viewed, but as so many correctives, so much discipline employed by their God in covenant, in order to make them "partakers of His holiness." Viewed in any other light, God is dishonored, the Spirit is grieved, and the believer is robbed of the great spiritual blessing for which the trial was sent. The Chestnut Mare

Re: The furnace of affliction chestnutmare #45773 Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 224 England English Rose Enthusiast
English Rose Enthusiast Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 224 England	Thank you, Chestnutmare, for this article by Octavius Winslow, which I have read before, but it certainly is so true on being in the furnace of afflication. We know that trials are a blessing, for God is doing a work in us which needs to be done for our good and His glory. God permits nothing, but what is in His plan and purpose. It is extremely hard at times, when completely separated from everyone, including family, but the Lord did not promise an easy pilgrim journey, and we do have to take up the cross, deny self, and follow Him. Octavius Winslow certainly is a favourite of mine, as well as Mr. Philpot. Love in Christ, English Rose

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