I. Shadows are suffered to fall on us, and to overcast a while the brightness of God's firmament, partly to show us what hell is, and to make us flee from it.
II. These afflictions, which are such a fiery trial to some of us, are in truth too often the shadows of our former sins.
III. We must bear in mind that these are departing shadows if only we are doing truth now and drawing nigh to Him who illuminates us with the brightness of His presence.
IV. Continuance in the good fight of faith, however overclouded for a time, "shall bring a man peaceat the last."
G. E. Jelf, Make up for Lost Time,p. 233.
References: Job 14:1. Spurgeon, Evening by Evening,p. 70. Job 14:1; Job 14:2. R. D. B. Rawnsley, Sermons in Country Churches,3rd series, p. 130. Job 14:4. Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Genesis to Proverbs,p. 124.Job 14:10. D. G. Watt, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxv., p. 260. Job 14:13-15. G. Macdonald, Unspoken Sermons,2nd series, p. 207.