xxiv. 15. _Glorify ye the Lord in the fires._
We are required to honour God, not only in all we do (1 Cor. x. 31),
but in all we suffer (_text_). Consider--
I. THE STATE HERE SUPPOSED. _"In the fires."_ Fire and water are both
Scriptural figures of affliction (Ps. lxvi. 12; Isa. xliii. 2; 1 Pet.
iv. 12). Stripped of metaphor, the passage before us supposes a state
of suffering. In this state we may be found--1. As _men_ (Job v. 6,
7; H. E. I., 47-51); 2. As _Christians_ (Ps. xxxiv. 19). This may
seem strange to the natural man, who concludes that the favourite of
Heaven is entitled to every indulgence upon earth; and it has proved
a source of temptation to the people of God themselves, who have been
led from their sufferings to suspect their safety. But this inference
is unscriptural (Heb. ii. 10; Isa. liii. 10; Matt. x. 25; Heb.
xii. 6; H. E. I., 189-196). Could we view many of those who are
infinitely dear to God, we should find them in a state of affliction,
often exceedingly trying; and we should see them there, not hardening
themselves by infidel reasonings or stoical apathy; not endeavouring
to banish all sense of their sorrows by repairing to the dissipations
of the world; but waiting humbly upon God (Ps. lxi. 1, 2; H. E. I.,
157, 158). This is well; but it is not enough to _seek_ God in our
afflictions, we must _serve_ Him. Consider, then--
II. THE DUTY HERE ENJOINED. _"Glorify,"_ &c. We cannot add to God's
essential glory, but we can declare it; we can make it more fully and
widely known (Ps. xix. 1). This is the duty to which we are at all
times called (1 Pet. ii. 9). We discharge it in affliction, when we
verbally and practically acknowledge--1. God's _agency,_ recognising
that our trial has not come upon us by accident, but by His
appointment or permission (Job ii. 10; H. E. I., 143; P. D., 92, 99).
2. His _rectitude_ (Ps. cxlv. 17; Dan. ix. 7; Ps. cxix. 75). 3. His
_wisdom,_ which regulated His corrections and every circumstance
connected with them. He never errs in the time, the place, the kind,
the instrument, the continuance of affliction; it is precisely the
very thing we need, and nothing could be altered without injury
(H. E. I., 179-188). 4. His _goodness,_ in sending the affliction at
all (H. E. I., 162-165), and in the alleviations and compensations by
which it is accompanied (H. E. I., 117-121). A grateful mind will
never overlook these. 5. His _power,_ to support us in the
affliction, and in due season to deliver us from it. All the records
of Scripture should minister to our faith in His ability to help and
deliver; He is unchangeable; He is as near you as He was to His
people of old; and you are as dear to Him as they were (H. E. I.,
198-202).
III. REASONS FOR DISCHARGING THE DUTY. We ought to glorify God in the
fires--1. Because _it is our duty to honour Him at all times, and
affliction cannot possibly exempt us from it._ Though He has
permitted affliction to come upon us, He still remains our Creator,
our Preserver, our Benefactor, our Redeemer, and as such is entitled
to the homage of our heart and life. 2. Because _affliction furnishes
one of the finest opportunities_ for honouring God (H. E. I.,
3692-3694). 3. _Hope should animate us,_ because it is distinctly
declared that those who honour God shall be honoured by Him.
As the consequence of sanctifying God in the fires, one of two things
is certain: either they will be removed, for when the end is answered
the dispensation will cease; or you will be compensated for their
continuance, by increase of grace, or the future recompense of glory,
or in both these ways combined.
But can we, who are so weak, perform a duty so hard? No, _you_ cannot
do it; but the grace of God will be sufficient even for this. View
your difficulties in connection with your supplies, God's commands in
connection with His promises, and boldly face them all (Phil. iv. 12,
13).--_William Jay: Works,_ vol. xii. pp. 159-169.
Glorify God--1. In the fires of persecution by resolute adherence to
the truth; 2. In the fires of temptation by a firm resistance to
evil; 3. In the fires of affliction by patient submission to His
will.--_George Smith, D.D._