vine Cordial" book:
"Afflictions work for good, as they are the means of making us happy. 'Happy is the man whom God corrects,' (Job 5:17). What politician or moralist ever placed happiness in the cross? Job does. 'Happy is the man whom God corrects.' It may be said, 'How do afflictions make us happy?' We reply that, being sanctified, they bring us nearer to God.
"The moon in the full is furthest off from the sun: so are many further off from God in the full moon of prosperity; afflictions bring them nearer to God. The magnet of mercy does not draw us so near to God as the cords of affliction. When Absalom set Joab's corn on fire, then he came running to Absalom, (2 Sam. 14:30). When God sets our worldly comforts on fire, then we run to Him, and make our peace with Him. When the prodigal was pinched with want, then he return-
ed home to his father, (Luke 15:13). When the dove could not find any rest for the sole of her foot, then she flew to the ark. When God brings a deluge of affliction upon us, then we fly to the ark of Christ. Thus affliction makes us happy, in bringing us nearer to God. Faith can make use of the waters of affliction, to swim faster to Christ."
