Isaiah 48:17-18 Thus said the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD your God which teaches you to profit… I. AFFLICTIONS MAY BE MADE PROFITABLE TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD. 1. They may be greatly instrumental in turning off their attention from the world. 2. They may turn off their affections as well as their attention from the captivating objects of the world. 3. They may be of much greater benefit to them by raising their affections to God, the source of all good. II. GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE AFFLICTIONS PROFITABLE TO HIS CHILDREN. 1. He is able to bring Himself into the view of His afflicted children. 2. He can place their affections as well as attention upon Himself. III. THIS IS A MATTER OF CONSOLATION TO THEM. Improvement — 1. Since Godmakes use of afflictions to keep His children near to Him, it appears that they are extremely prone to forsake Him. 2. It appears from the manner in which God instructs and benefits His afflicted children, that they may derive the greatest advantage from their severest sufferings. 3. If God chastises His children for good, then those who are suffered to live in uninterrupted prosperity have reason to fear that they do not belong to the household of faith. 4. If God can make afflictions profitable to His children, then we may justly conclude that He can make them profitable to others. 5. It appears that every person may know whether he belongs to His family or not. Afflictions are peculiar trials of the heart, and give men the best opportunity to determine what is in reality the supreme object of their affections. 6. The afflicted ought to be of a teachable spirit under Divine convictions. (N. Emmons, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. |
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