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Consider —

I. THE MANNER IN WHICH AFFLICTION IS TO BE ESTIMATED BY THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER. It signifies something that beats down, presses sore, and is in itself grievous and tormenting. The forms of human trial are like the lineaments of the human countenance, boundlessly diversified.

II. THE BENEFICIAL TENDENCY OF AFFLICTION. The present state of man is not his ultimate condition, nor is this world his final home. While on earth his state is not only one of probation, but also of discipline and —

1. It is designed to correct and reclaim. There is in the heart of man a natural proneness to wander from God. In vain, perhaps, have been the attempts of other agencies to win the thoughtless wanderer. It is in mercy, therefore, rather than in anger, that he is smitten with affliction, that he may return to God.

2. The grace of God beats the spears of affliction into pruning-hooks, to them that are in Christ.

3. In affliction there is something which exerts a subduing influence upon the mind. It prostrates pride, subdues self, disenchants creation of its bright and fleeting colours. It is often the means of bringing the will of the Christian into a more entire subjection to the will of God.

4. It has a tendency to purify, refine, and elevate the Christian character. The trial of faith is said to be "more precious than that of gold."

III. THE GLORY FOR WHICH THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER IS PREPARED BY SANCTIFIED AFFLICTION.

1. The final issue of sanctified affliction will be a higher position, greater felicity, more glory in the heavenly state. The Christian would have had glory without it, but he will have more by reason of it.

2. This glory will be eternal in its duration. The highest enjoyments this world can afford are short-lived. Life itself is short. "The fashion of this world passeth away." But the glory of heaven will endure for ever.

3. This glory is further spoken of under the idea of weight.Conclusion: The design of God, in afflictions, being to prepare us for "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," let us devoutly strive to improve them.

1. By deep humility and self-abasement. When the soul is truly humbled before God, His Spirit lifts it up, and lets in upon the feelings the genial light and warmth of the Sun of righteousness.

2. By a renewed consecration of ourselves to God.

(J. Lambert.)

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KJV: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

WEB: For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;