Rejoice, friends...

"Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." -James 5:11 [KJV]


There is something uncommonly soothing and consolatory in these words, concerning the Lord's grace, "that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." Very pitiful! Sweet consideration to a child of God, under affliction! For it speaks in the tenderest and most endearing manner, upon all such occasions, that if afflictions abound, while the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy, there must be a needs be for them.


My soul keep this thought always uppermost in thy remembrance; and carry it about with thee in thy bosom for constant use, to have recourse to, as occasion may require. And take another sweet lesson with thee, to help on thy mind to suitable exercises on this account. Hadst thou as much wisdom, and as much love for thyself, and what concerns thy most material interests, as Jesus hath, and is using for thee, the most painful exercises thou art now called to, and which thou art apt to shrink from, would be among the subjects of holy joy.


And mark farther what the apostle saith: "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord;" that is, in the issue of Job's trials. Who that reads the patriarch's history, can doubt but that the Lord all along intended the whole for His servant's happiness, as well as His own glory? In all thine exercises, my soul, look to the end of them. Some blessed purpose, depend upon it, thy Jesus hath in view in all, and He will accomplish it. In the mean time, never forget, that "the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy:" 
in all the afflictions of His people He is afflicted. And what a memorable scripture is that: "His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel" -Judges 10:16.


Precious Jesus! all is well. In the sorrows of Thy children, Thou bearest a part; and the largest part is Thine; the heaviest end of every cross Thou carriest. The cup of our affliction is not bitter like Thy cup of trembling: for through Thy love in redemption, the gall and wormwood are taken out. There is no bitter wrath in the chastisements of a kind father under sin; for Thou hast borne the wrath when made sin and a curse for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Thee. Often, my soul! let these sweet consoling thoughts refresh thee. Thy Lord, thy Jesus, "is very pitiful and of tender mercy."


-preacher Robert Hawker (1753-1827 A.D.) 

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