Author	Thread: Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!!
Admin	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 08:47 AM Everything short of Hell is mercy! (James Smith, "Good and Evil Alike from God" 1861) "What? shall we receive good at the hands of God � and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:10 Jehovah's Prerogative: He sends GOOD � all good. He sends EVIL � not moral evil, for God cannot be the author of sin, nor in any way give His sanction to it. But He does send afflictions, bereavements, losses, crosses, pains and sorrows. He sends good and evil sometimes in quick succession. He sent the fish to preserve the life of Jonah, and the gourd to screen him from the sun � but He sent also the worm to destroy the gourd, and teach Jonah a beneficial lesson. Who can read the life of Jacob or Joseph, of David or Daniel, and not see that the Lord sends both good and evil upon His people. Hence the prophet asks, "Shall there be evil in a city � and the Lord has not done it?" The Believer's Duty. We should receive all as from God's hand. The reference is not so much to the receiving � for we must receive it; but the manner of receiving � as from God. We often receive good as from God � but we do not so receive evil; yet both alike should be so received. GOOD should be received with gratitude and praise, with humility and love � with a deep sense of our unworthiness, and God's unmerited goodness. Nor should we forget, that we are held responsible for the use of all the good things we receive from God. EVIL should be received with patience and submission, saying with Eli, "It is the Lord � let Him do what seems good unto Him." There should be a recognition of His justice, as Aaron, when his two sons were slain � he held his peace. He was dumb, he opened not his mouth, because the Lord did it. There should also be confidence in His love, because the dispensations of His hand � never prove a change in His heart. He loves us as much when He sends evil � as when He sends good; for His love is not only everlasting � but unchangeable. We should receive good and evil alike � as from a sovereign, wise, gracious, and holy God! The Expostulation. "What? shall we receive good at the hands of God � and shall we not receive evil?" Are we to view good alone as coming from God? Are we not to look at evil � at our trials, troubles, and tribulations � as coming from Him? Are we to forget His favors, lose sight of His paternal relationship, quarrel with His wisdom and love � and thus act the rebel and the ingrate? Alas! this is too often the case. One trouble swallows up the remembrance of many mercies. We think more of one loss � than we do of the gains of years; and we are more affected with one hour's pain and sickness � than we are with months of ease and health. But it would not be so � if we were properly affected with a due sense of our sinfulness, ingratitude, and unworthiness. Then in the midst of our good things, we would say with Jacob, "I am not worthy of the least of all Your mercies!" And in the midst of our evil things we would say with Job, "The Lord gave � and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" It is folly to lose sight of God's hand in our troubles. We should rather say, "This also comes forth from the Lord Almighty, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working." Nor is it wise to complain of His dealings with us, for a sinner out of Hell � can never have any reason to complain. Everything short of Hell is mercy! He assures us that all that He does, is in love. His word to us, when things are at the worst is, "As many as I love � I rebuke and chasten." Silence befits us, though to justify God would befit us more. We should not make too much of the instruments by which we suffer. Joseph said unto his brethren, "It was not you � but God." David said of Shimei, "Let him curse � for the Lord has bidden him." The holiest of men have always looked more at God who uses the rod � than at the rod which He used. If He appoints it � it is wise. If He permits it � it is for our good. He does nothing, He permits nothing to be done, which affects His children � but they would do themselves � if they were as wise, as judicious, and as far-seeing as He is. Nor is there a doubt � but in eternity we shall bless and praise His holy name � for the very things that grieve and distress us now. Believer, receive everything, whether painful or pleasant � as from God's hand! And bless a taking God � as well as a giving God. Lord, pardon our folly and forgive our sins, for we have been guilty of both in our conduct toward you; and help us in future if tempted to repine, or if rebellious feelings arise in our hearts to say, "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God � and shall we not receive evil also?" Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 06:58 PM Two, I get what you're saying. What I see in your example is God 'Allowing' something to happen in order to Protect from the evil that was ahead. I know He chastizes those He loves too. James said in his post Evil should be received with patience and submission. DO WHAT? Why should I patiently submit to receiving evil? Post Reply
MargoSolo View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 07:04 PM God ordains Good and Evil, but ultimately they are all point towards His glory! Look at the story of Joseph, Job, the afflictions of Paul, even Judas and Phoaroh (no need to start that converstion again). In my own life, my greatest affliction has turned out to be the thing that has brought the most growth and praise to God. In tough times, I hope to think I may be able to say "though He slay me, yet I will praise Him". What else is there in life if we cannot look to God who is altogether good and just and right no matter what He does?? Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 07:17 PM Two the lord has no agreement with evil, that is the God of this world, his name is Satan. The kingdom of God is not divided against itself. Post Reply
MargoSolo View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 07:19 PM Chevy, Even when there is suffering from evil, you have the hope of God's deliverance and His comfort and strength to see you through. You know as a child of God that He means it for a greater good for you and for His name to be glorified. James 1:2-4 ~ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 07:31 PM When you all have good Christian brothers and sisters die before their time then you will have to deal with this for real, it wont be a post in a chat forum. You will be forced to ask yourself the hard questions and struggle for the answers. Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 08:05 PM satan came to steal, to kill, and to destroy. two, I've dealt with it outside of a forum. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 08:25 PM Hello Two and everyone :waving: In my profession, I must deal with untimely deaths of all ages. I have also dealt with those close to me passing away at an early age. I find comfort in knowing God can bring some good out of anything. He'll comfort us. At work, I try to do everything I possibly can for my patients. Then I know they were given every benefit of the doubt. I Love You All! :) T Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 21 Feb, 2011 09:26 PM I have been there Two and the answer from a humble man is this My father is God, and satan is not good. Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 22 Feb, 2011 09:35 AM I do understand that God uses satan in whatever way he chooses. God allowed satan to bring calamity on Job for God's purposes, not to punish Job. Some say Job brought that on Himself with his negative thoughts...if that were the case...God would have addressed it in his discussions with Job. It was God and he gave satan permission to afflict Job. There is always a method to what we think is God's "madness" at times. There are various reasons God allows satan to afflict us, so we should be wise about out own reasoning, like Job's friends. Satan had to ask about Job as he does for each one of us.. Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 1 Timothy 1:20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. My ex died an untimely death for many reasons, some I know about...others I will know when I get home...but I do know this...God allowed satan to afflict him and his flesh was destroyed and his soul was saved. 1 Corinthians 5:5~ "you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." Post Reply
View Profile History	Everything Short of Hell, is Mercy...............!! Posted : 22 Feb, 2011 10:10 AM When you say God allowed it, that is something you should pray and fast about, because that thinking can kill you. When you speak of Job I exhort all to go back with the holy spirit, and ask him to open up tp you exactly what happened there. If you believe the lord is ruling over the earth, then that is where the confusion comes from. Post Reply

First

<< Previous  10

Page : 1 2 3 4

Next  10 >>

Last