xxvii. 8. _In measure when it shooteth forth, &c._
+I. There is a special appropriateness in comparing the trials of
life to storms.+ 1. _Storms are the exceptions and not the normal or
common condition of the atmosphere._ "In the world ye shall have
tribulation." True; but Christ in saying so does not assert that we
shall have tribulation only. "Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks
fly upward." Yes; but it is not said that there is nothing but
trouble. "Through much tribulation," &c. Yea, through many storms the
mariner has to go through life; but there is fine weather also.
2. _Storms come from God._ See what is said about trouble (Job v. 6),
"_All_ my springs are in THEE," the sweet and the bitter. 3. _Storms
come from different directions:_ the family, the Church, business,
&c. 4. _Storms are unpleasant to bear._ The anxiety of the sailor's
wife. The traveller on the moor. 5. _Storms leave their traces
behind._ The ravages of the sea. The effects of gales on edifices. So
in life. The bereaved family. The capitalist reduced to want, &c.
6. But _storms are beneficial_ (Heb. xii. 10, 11).
+II. The storms of life are regulated and controlled by God.+ It is
of Him that our text speaks. Who "debates in measure?" Who "stayeth
His rough wind in the day of His east wind?" He who is almighty,
all-wise, and good. His greatness, as shown in the firmament, hints
that He is too great to observe human beings. But notice our
Saviour's teaching: while instructing us concerning His Father, He
speaks not of His omnipotence, &c., but of His observation of small
things (Matt. x. 29, 30). Put a green leaf or a drop of water under a
microscope, and you will see myriads of living animalcules. God
observes every one. "Casting all your care on Him, for _He_ careth
for _you._" "He" and "you!"
+III. The storms of life are proportioned to His people's strength.+
"In measure." (See outlines THE AFFLICTIONS OF GOD'S PEOPLE and THE
DISCIPLINE OF SIN, pp. 290, 291.) A Jew never exercised greater care
and exactitude in weighing out his gold and diamonds than does God
while meting out trials to His people. "Grace to help in time of
need;" yea, and storms equal to our strength. We do not know how much
our strength is. One man over-estimates his strength, another
under-estimates it. "But He knoweth our frame." "God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able" (H. E. I.
179-188, 3675-3695).
In various ways He maintains the merciful proportion of the storm to
the strength. 1. He does so sometimes _by sending the lesser storms
before the greater._ Jacob at Bethel was unable to undergo the trials
of Jacob at Mahanaim. By the time he reached the latter place, he had
become a prince, an Israel. Carrying the least burden prepares a man
for carrying the greatest (Hercules and the ox). 2. _Sometimes by
sending the heaviest first._ The man may then be in the fulness of
his vigour, or in spirit he may be so contumacious that some rough
handling may be necessary to bring his pride into subjection. 3. _By
removing one trial before another comes._ Poverty is taken away
before ill-health sets in. "He stayeth His rough wind." 4. _By
sending each one in its time._ "It could not have come at a worse
time." Who says so? "If it had happened at another time, it would
have been easier to bear." That may be so, but would it have been as
profitable? It was necessary for you to _feel._ Less suffering would
not have sufficed for that end.
+IV. The storms of life promote purposes of wisdom and love.+ 1. _The
Lord sometimes orders trials as chastisements._ It is not always so;
we are too apt to explain everything as chastisement. But God has
promised to correct (Jer. xxx. 11), and it is the promise of a
father, not the threatening of a judge. (1.) Sometimes one correction
prevents many more. (2.) When the Lord sends trials in the way of
correction, He graciously gives His children the reasons for thus
dealing with them. "The iniquity which he _knoweth_" (1 Sam.
iii. 13). What father would correct a child without explaining to him
what it was for? And what correction would benefit the saints while
ignorant of the object in view? Possibly the neighbours may not know,
but he has himself a private account with God. Hence arises a
consequent duty (H. E. I. 144). (3.) When God thus sends trials, they
are _corrections,_ and not merely punishments; manifestations not of
vengeance, but of His love. A gardener uses the pruning-knife only
for the good of the fruit-bearing trees in his garden. God's
corrections are designed only to take away the sin of His people (see
ver. 9, and Zech. xiii. 9; H. E. I. 56-74).
2. _The Lord sometimes orders trials as exhibitions of the graces of
His people._ The tempest which beat upon Job was not corrective,
though he thought so while it lasted (Job x. 2, xiii. 24). The trial
brought out into view his trust in God: "Though He slay me, yet will
I trust in Him." The Lord's purpose was to prove that Job was "a
perfect and an upright man" (H. E. I. 91-98).
3. _Storms are sometimes preventive._ A fiery trial is approaching;
the man is in danger, for he is too weak to withstand it; by a lesser
trial he is withdrawn from it. Two ships are drawing near in a fog;
they are making towards each other at a perfect angle. The top-mast
of one is blown down; the men on deck bemoan the misfortune; but it
was the means of slackening the pace of the vessel, and so prevented
a collision. A man is sometimes laid on a bed of sickness to save his
life--to save his soul!
4. _Storms sometimes prepare men for nobler work._ Moses, after being
brought up in the lap of luxury, is watching the flock forty years in
Midian. All the learning of Egypt is lost in a shepherd. Nay! Moses
requires a double education, for he has a duplicate work to
perform--appearing before Pharaoh in the palace, and leading Israel
through the wilderness. _E.g.,_ what good can a preacher do, if he
has no _experience_ of his own? (Ps. li. 12, 13; 2 Cor. i. 3-6;
H. E. I. 101-108, 2464, 2465).
Some one may say that he has no knowledge of storms from experience.
Wait! Peradventure thou shalt know. Should they come, _bow._ Nothing
breaks, if it bends.--_Gweithiau Rhyddieithol,_ pp. 78-81, _by the
late William Ambrose of Portmadoc. Translated from the Welsh by the
Rev. T. Johns of Llanelly._