December 4

Jesus stood in need of no such stimulations and auxiliaries as these. He knew what was required of him, and was always perfectly ready to do it. His sufferings therefore were not the cause of his obedience, but only the occasion: they did not produce the disposition, but only afforded opportunities for the exercise and the display of it. The gold was sterling before, but the fire proved it: the field did not make the hero, but proclaimed him. Yet he could not have learned what obedience was, how trying it is, especially in affliction, and what grace it requires, without experience. But thus he knew it not in theory only, but in reality, as a man learns the taste of medicine by tasting it, or as a man knows what it is to travel by travelling.

DECEMBER 4.—“When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”—Job 23:10.

Job was indeed tried, and perhaps next to his Saviour could say, Behold, and see if ever there was sorrow like unto my sorrow!—But he remarks three things with regard to it.

First, the author: “He hath tried me.” In none of his sufferings did he ever lose sight of the hand of God. When the Chaldeans and the elements had spoiled him of all his substance, he said, “The Lord hath taken away.” And when, in addition to this, he was deprived of his children, and health, and friends, and he seemed to have no comfort left, he said, “Thou hast taken me by the neck, and shaken me to pieces.” And “is there an evil in the city, and the Lord hath not done it? How much is that man to be pitied who does not connect with all the events of life the providence of that God without whom a sparrow falleth not to the ground, and by whom the very hairs of our head are all numbered! How consolatory to reflect, “I am not in a fatherless world; I am not the child of neglect; I am not the sport of chance; I am not at the mercy of my foes—they could have no power against me, except it was given them from above; they are chained, and he holds the chain—The wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder of wrath will he restrain—The cup which my Father giveth me, shall I not drink it?

Secondly, the termination: “when he hath tried me, I shall come forth.” I am now in “the midst of trouble,” but I shall not remain there. He doth not afflict willingly. Though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion. He hath said, “I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.” The time may seem long, but I shall not be detained a moment longer than the case requires. He hath appointed the hour of deliverance, and his time is the best time; for he is a God of knowledge, and blessed are all they that wait for him. “We went,” says the Church, “through fire and through water, but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.”

Thirdly, the benefit: “when thou hast tried me I shall come forth as gold.” And how is this? Gold comes forth proved. Thus we read of “gold tried in the fire,” and David says, “Thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.” The design of affliction is not to increase God’s knowledge of us—this is perfect already; but to make us better known to others and to ourselves; to discover and display the reality and the degree of our