Encouragement to Christian Duty (5)

Thomas Boston on how in the midst of hardship, “we might be weaned off this world” and prompted “to look after the happiness of the other world.”

5. The Grace of God

Believers, through the remains of indwelling corruption, are liable to fits of spiritual laziness and inactivity, in which their graces lie dorman for the time. Besides, some graces … of their own nature are but occassional in their exercise [e.g.] patience and long-suffering.

Now the crook in the lot [affliction] serves to rouse up a Christian to the exercise of the graces, overpowered by corruption and … to all forth to action the occassional graces. The truth is, the crook in the lot is the great engine of Providence for making men appear in their true colours; and if grace be in them, it will bring it out.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

The crook in the lot gives rise to many acts of faith, hope, love, self-denial, resignation, and other graces … which would have otherwise not be brought forth … the persons themselves [may] often hardly think them worth any notice at all, but [they are] far more valuable in the sight of God.

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Ps 147:10-11