Distinguished by the Grace of God

"The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away: blessed be the name of the LORD." -Job 1:21 [KJV]

Meek Moses, righteous Lot, patient Job, were as wicked by nature as any sinners that ever were born. True, they were eminent saints. But who made them so? The same Saviour, Who sanctifies you and me. Cease ye from man. Look upon the most holy saint, as a sinner in himself, but only distinguished by the grace of God. When any grace eminently shines in any sinner, remember it all comes out of the fulness of the Saviour. So look for grace for yourself. While Job suffers the loss of all, yet he glories in the possession of all. Thought he could not now say, my children, my possessions, my health, etc. yet he could say, “My Redeemer liveth,” (ch. 19:25.)  

The belief of this sweetened every cross: made up every loss: kept his head from sinking in the deep waters of affliction: his heart from fainting under the greatest tribulations: and fortified his mind with the greatest patience, under the severest calamities. He saw his Lord in all, therefore by His grace he submits to all. Job is here set before us, as most eminent for his patience. To what end? That we might learn patience hereby? Remember patience is a grace. It is a gift from the God of all grace. We can no more derive patience from the example of Job, than we can get light and heat from a painted sun. View the saint, but look to the King of saints to be like-minded. “The Lord gave.” 

Sweet consideration! Look upon all you enjoy as the free gift of a covenant God. Hold the giver fast, but hold the gifts with a trembling hand. Perhaps, ere to-morrow’s sun, you may be constrained to say of some of your sweetest enjoyments, “The Lord hath taken away.” Love saw they would do you harm, and that it is best for you to be without them. Therefore in love, God takes them away. Love is always the same, in a giving, as in a taking God. Therefore, what good reason have we to say for both, “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” 

Here you see the work of faith. It sees the Lord’s name written upon every enjoyment: it owns the Lord’s right, to give, or take away: it bows to the Lord’s sovereign will, and says, Lord, Thou hast done all things well. Though what Thou doest I cannot know now, yet I shall know hereafter. I am sure there is a Father’s love and wisdom in all. O that all may be sanctified to me, and I profited by all. Thus, as faith in Christ brings us to the knowledge of God, as our loving Father, to enjoy peace with Him, so it teaches submission to His will, and to bless His name at all times. Rejoice in the Lord.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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