Timber, Sheep, Wax

**’ We warp in the sunshine, a shower does us good. The dof is let loose that the sheep may run together. A piece of wax, when it is broken, put it together 7tever so often, it will not dose J but put it into the candle and the ends will stick close together.” Thus by three figures we see the danger of prosperity and the benefit of affliction.

The first metaphor is impressive. Timber warps if it be exposed to noontide heat, and men are all too apt to be influenced one way or another by success. Poor fools that we are, we cannot, while on earth, bear too much happiness. It is our tendency to warping which often necessitates our weeping. The Lord will sooner damp us with showers of sorrow than allow us to be spoiled.

The dog to fetch back the wandering sheep is a well-known illustration. Some need to feel the dog’s teeth before they will mind him, and God has dogs which will bite if barking is not enough. Our good Shepherd will sooner worry us with the dog of affliction than leave us to the wolf of apostasy.

The broken stick of wax prettily shows how we need suffering if we are to be set right after the fractures of temptation. How well the broken heart of a sinner unites with the heart of the suffering Saviour! There must be melting, or there will not be inion. Blessed be God for any experience by which he unites our heart to fear his name.