The Sharpest Dealings of God With You
Recognize that God's dealings, even in the sharpest trials, are still mercy because you have deserved greater afflictions.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of recognizing our own sins and the mercy of God in the face of our trials. He argues that any suffering we endure is less than what we truly deserve, and that we should remain silent and humble under God's dealings with us. Brooks encourages believers to reflect on their demerits, understanding that even the smallest mercy is a gift from God, and that our afflictions are reminders of His grace. Ultimately, he calls for a posture of gratitude and acceptance, recognizing that our hardships are not punishment but rather opportunities for growth and reflection.
Text
"Why should any living man complain when
punished for his sins?" Lamentations 3:39
To move you to silence under your sorest and
your sharpest trials, consider, that you have
deserved greater and heavier afflictions than
those you are under.
Has God taken away one mercy? You have
deserved to be stripped of all.
Has he taken away the delight of your eyes? He
might have taken away the delight of your soul.
Are you under outward wants? You have deserved
to be under outward and inward wants together.
Are you cast upon a sick bed?
You have deserved a bed in hell.
Are you under that ache and that pain? You have
deserved to be under all aches and pains at once.
Has God chastised you with whips? You have
deserved to be chastised with scorpions. 1 Kings 12:14.
Have you fallen from the highest pinnacle of honor
to be the scorn and contempt of men? You have
deserved to be scorned and condemned by God
and angels.
Are you under a severe whipping?
You have deserved an utter damning.
Ah Christian! let but your eyes be fixed upon your
demerits--and your hands will be quickly upon your
mouths! Whatever is less than a final separation from
God, whatever is less than hell--is mercy! Therefore
you have cause to be silent under the sharpest
dealings of God with you.
Sermon Outline
- Consider Your Deserved Punishment
- Reflect on Your Deserved Punishment
- Silence Under God's Dealings
- Fix your eyes on your demerits
- Recognize that whatever is less than hell is mercy
- You have deserved to be scorned and condemned by God and angels
Key Quotes
“Whatever is less than a final separation from God, whatever is less than hell--is mercy!” — Thomas Brooks
“You have deserved a bed in hell.” — Thomas Brooks
“You have deserved to be chastised with scorpions.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- When facing trials, consider your demerits and recognize that God's dealings are still mercy.
- Silence your complaints and acknowledge that you have deserved greater afflictions.
- Remember that whatever is less than hell is mercy, and God's dealings are still an expression of His mercy.