We cannot learn patience without tribulation
Charles Spurgeon
SUMMARY: The only way to learn patience is through practice, which is done through tribulation. Even though tribulation in itself causes petulance, unbelief, and rebellion, it is through the grace of God that it works patience in us. We should embrace our tribulations and ask for the removal of our impatience instead. We should ask Jesus to engrave the image of His patience in our hearts.
This is a promise in its essence even if it is not in its form. We need patience, and here we see how to obtain it. It is only through practice that we learn patience, in the same way that by swimming men learn to swim. They could not learn that art on dry land, nor could we learn patience without tribulation. Isn't it worth suffering tribulation in order to attain that beautiful equanimity of mind that quietly submits in everything to the God's will?
However, our text expresses a singular fact, which is not in accordance with nature, but is supernatural. Tribulation in and of itself works petulance, unbelief, and rebellion. It is only by the sacred alchemy of grace that it is brought to work patience in us. We do not thresh the grain to appease the dust: however, the scourge of tribulation does this on the age of God. We do not shake a man to give him rest, and yet that is how the Lord treats His children. Certainly this does not correspond to the human way of doing things, but it greatly redounds to the glory of our infinitely wise God.
Oh grace grant me my tribulations bless me! Why should he want to stop his graceful influence? Lord, I ask You to remove my affliction, but I beg You ten times more to remove my impatience. Precious Lord Jesus, with Your cross engrave the image of Your patience in my heart.
Source: The Bank of Faith Checkbook. Translation by Allan Roman.
http://www.spurgeon.com.mx/chequera/meditames/setember.pdf
However, our text expresses a singular fact, which is not in accordance with nature, but is supernatural. Tribulation in and of itself works petulance, unbelief, and rebellion. It is only by the sacred alchemy of grace that it is brought to work patience in us. We do not thresh the grain to appease the dust: however, the scourge of tribulation does this on the age of God. We do not shake a man to give him rest, and yet that is how the Lord treats His children. Certainly this does not correspond to the human way of doing things, but it greatly redounds to the glory of our infinitely wise God.
Oh grace grant me my tribulations bless me! Why should he want to stop his graceful influence? Lord, I ask You to remove my affliction, but I beg You ten times more to remove my impatience. Precious Lord Jesus, with Your cross engrave the image of Your patience in my heart.
Source: The Bank of Faith Checkbook. Translation by Allan Roman.
http://www.spurgeon.com.mx/chequera/meditames/setember.pdf
