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Man is born unto trouble.

I. IT IS AN INEVITABLE RESULT OF HIS EXPOSED CONDITION.

II. IT IS EVIDENTLY A PART OF THE PRESENT ORDER OF THINGS. But -

III. IT IS DUE TO THE DERANGEMENT OF THE RIGHT RELATIONS OF MAN TO HIS GOD, TO HIS NEIGHBOUR, TO THE WORLD AROUND. "Affliction cometh not forth of the dust; neither doth trouble spring out of the ground."

IV. IT IS GRACIOUSLY USED AS A MEANS OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE, CORRECTION, AND DEVELOPMENT. We now know that that which we endure is for chastening - for that culture which every wise father seeks to secure for his sons. And when the afflictions are "not joyous, but grievous," even then "God dealeth with us as with sons." He takes up the sad and dark and painful things of our life, and uses them as instruments for our discipline, "that we might be partakers of his holiness." Most assuredly we may know that "the peaceable fruits of righteousness" are yielded to them who patiently endure these afflictions when they are "exercised thereby." Let us, therefore, learn:

1. Not to be surprised if" trouble" overtakes us. We are born in a land where it is very plentiful.

2. To see to it that our afflictions come of our frailty, not of our folly.

3. Patiently to await the end, when he shall have wrought out his purpose, who maketh "all things work together for good to them that love him." - R.G.

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KJV: Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;

WEB: For affliction doesn't come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;