Trust in Trial: or, Lessons of Peace in the School of Affliction: Meditations, with Prayers and Hymns, for the Sick and Suffering

By William Purton

In visiting the Sick I have often felt how helpful would be a book written specially for their use, containing Meditations on words of Holy Scripture, together with appropriate Prayers and Hymns. At a time when even "the grasshopper is a burden," the task of study is painful; and an Invalid shrinks from a large book, or pages printed in small type. Moreover, in weakness and weariness, it is comforting to have thoughts of peace suggested to us. I humbly hope that the following pages may prove a help and comfort to some whom God would educate in the School of Affliction. May my readers learn more and more, as they are called to endure God's discipline. . . to trust in His Word, to love His peace, and to glorify His Name. Affliction, the Visitation of God "Affliction does not come forth from the dust -- neither does trouble spring out of the ground." Job 5.6 Why has this trial come? How ought I to regard affliction? These questions are natural in seasons of suffering. Pain and sorrow make us ask in earnest the why and the wherefore of what befalls us. And so the soul finds a time of trial to be a time of education. If anything can teach us anything, affliction's looks Make us to look into ourselves so near; Teach us to know ourselves, beyond all books, Or all the learned schools that ever were. Thoughts and feelings which have satisfied a man, are now tried -- put to the proof -- tested. If he prays for the Spirit's aid, he is taught and trained -- learning by experience those truths which it most concerns him to know; and as a learner, he sets himself in earnest to feel the reality of the lessons which are appointed for him. The first lesson in the school of tribulation, is that affliction is the visitation of God. "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21 Nothing in any man's life comes to him by "chance." All things, both small and great, are under the control of God. He foresees, and limits, and disposes. What is sometimes called "good fortune," comes not by accident; neither does trouble spring out of the ground. Am I healthy and prosperous? It is the will of God. Am I suffering in body or in mind? It is the Lord -- let Him do what seems good unto Him. And this is the only answer that can be given to the weak and sorely tempted ones, whom one trial after another afflicts with increasing sorrows. "So it pleases God!" Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 153519152X
• ISBN13: 9781535191524
• Release Date: July 2016
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"