“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12.
9. Does God willingly afflict the children of men?
“For the Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude [pg 556] of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” Lam. 3:31-33.
10. Why, then, does God permit the chastening rod to fall?
“For they [parents] verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.” Heb. 12:10.
11. Referring to Peter's coming sore trial, for what did Christ say He had prayed?
“Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:31, 32.
12. What cheering promise is made to those who endure the trials and temptations of this life?
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” James 1:12.
Note.—Says a Christian writer: “Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God ‘doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’ When He permits trials and afflictions, it is ‘for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.’ If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple.”