Isaiah 48:10-11 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

The Divine aim in human affliction.

We infer—

I. THAT THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE OF GOD 'S SENDING . To the unrighteous they wear the aspect of inflictions, but to the servants of God they are chastisements or refining processes; either way, they are regarded as events which come in consequence of, or (at the least) in accordance with, the ordination of God (see Isaiah 45:7 ; Amos 3:6 ). Jesus Christ has taught us that the smallest incident cannot happen without Divine permission; much less (as he wishes us to infer)any serious trial to the people of God ( Luke 12:6 ).

II. THAT THE DIVINE AIM IS DOUBLY BENEFICENT .

1 . Our refinement. "I have refined thee." God refines its by passing us through the furnace of affliction, and he does this not for his advantage—"not for silver "—but for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness (see Hebrews 12:10 ). By the distresses of the soul the dross of worldliness, of selfishness, of trust in temporal securities or in human alliances, of sensuous indulgence, is purged away, and the pure gold of piety and purity is left. Our heavenly Father resorts to this refining process in one of two cases.

2 . His exaltation in the minds of men. "For mine own sake will I do it: for how should my Name be polluted," etc.? It is to the interest of his creation, in the very highest degree, that God's Name should be exalted, that the glory which is his due should not be paid to another. For:

III. THAT WE MUST ACTIVELY CO - OPERATE WITH HIM , OR HIS PURPOSE , WILL BE DEFEATED . (See 2 Corinthians 7:10 .)—C.