Job 6:30

REFLECTIONS

READER! let us ponder over the situation, in which the HOLY GHOST hath represented Job in this chapter, and gather from it those precious instructions, which we may humbly suppose, the LORD the SPIRIT, graciously designed to convey.

Though we hear Job thus expressing himself, in the bitterness of his complaints, and speaking unadvisedly with his lips, yet it is not the complaining to GOD when under trouble which causeth sin, but the complaining of GOD. Here lies all the difference. Paul the apostle hath told the church, from the authority of GOD the HOLY GHOST, that no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous. And every saint's own experience bears witness to the truth. Nay, unless we feel our trials, how can they be sanctified, Reader! mark the striking difference, and observe how we are taught, neither to despise the chastenings of the LORD, by making too light of them; nor faint under them, as if they were too heavy. If a child manifests stubbornness under a father's rod, as though he felt it not, and appears determined not to regard it; what must we think of him? And if on the other hand, he sinks and faints under the rebuke, how would this improve?

But here, precious JESUS, as in every other thing, so in this, thy bright example, thy blessed pattern, shows what thy followers should be. When in thine unequalled conflicts, thy soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, yet we hear no complaining word, no angry expostulation. As the prophet had described thee, so the Evangelist records of thee, that thou wast led as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as the sheep before her shearers is dumb, so didst thou not open thy mouth. Oh! LAMB of GOD! give me to be everlastingly keeping in view thy meekness! and while I behold thee, condescending to the deepest abasement; feeling all indignities, bearing all our sins, receiving all thy Father's wrath, and enduring all that contradiction of sinners, which in the days of thy flesh, thou didst sustain for me and for my salvation: oh blessed JESUS, let me ask my soul, was it for me, that thou wast oppressed, thus exercised, thus tempted, thus buffetted, thus crowned with thorns; and all for me? Oh! give me grace in all my lesser trials, which were not worthy to be mentioned, to be looking unto thee. And though at times, my poor weak and corrupt nature, feels tempted to cry out under them, like Jonah or like Job, as though I did well to be angry; yet, LORD, if thou wilt strengthen me with one view of thee, then in thy power shall I take up the cross, and follow thee, thou LAMB of GOD, whithersoever thou goest, and be more than conqueror, through thy grace helping me.