When mercy comes in the form of affliction, we often need time
and grace to call it a mercy: happy they who need not time to
do so.
The letter from Hezekiah's enemy drave him to God; whilst that
from the flattering king ensnared his feet. (2 Kings 19; 20)
Some Temptations are best withstood by fleeing from them.
We should distinguish between a dead state of soul and a tempted
state. Job, in his trouble, was in a tempted state: he says in
his sorrow, "Oh that I were as in months past" (Job 29:2). David
was in a dead state of soul when he rose from his bed to walk
upon the house-top. (2 Sam. 11:2.) Job felt his temptation: David
was not awake to danger.
The devil is often like the practised sharper, who allows his
dupes a little success that he may strip them of their all at
the last. Thus can Satan suffer his slaves to break off grosser
sins, that he may hold them fast bound in the chains of self-righteousness
and false peace.
If through confidence in the flesh we take not counsel of God,
He is wont to leave us to ourselves, that we may prove our wisdom
to be folly. Had Joshua sought counsel of God, he would not have
been deceived by the Gibeonites, and their tokens of a long journey.
(Josh. 9)
The evil of the heart is best revealed to God's people by their
abiding at the Mercy-seat: if they will not learn there, God
may leave them to learn by some gross outbreak. Paul exercised
himself to keep always a conscience void of offence, and by constant
communion with God well-knew the deceitfulness of the flesh.
If we are found mourning within the vail over inward evil, we
shall be preserved from outwardly dishonouring the Lord.
No child of God ever falls at once into the mire of sin. All
declension begins in unwatchfulness and neglect of secret dealing
with God, whereby Satan finds a door of entrance into the heart,
and we are taken in his snares.