Mystery of Providence - Chapter 12c

We often wonder why some of the most gentle of the saints experience a weight of woe, anguish, and affliction. I know of families that experience grief after grief, hurt after hurt, and calamity after calamity. As a pastor I am often asked to explain why this is so. Even pointing to the travail of Job, the sufferings of Christ, and the persecutions of the early church sometimes seems so inadequate to heal the hurt and bind up the wounds.

Part of our problem is that we don't take "the long view". We concentrate on the here and now, forgetting that "a thousand years are like a day" in the sight of the Lord (cf. Psalm 90:4). We need to remind ourselves that a season of suffering, or ten seasons of suffering, or even a hundred seasons of suffering are nothing in comparision with what is to come. Even if we live to exceed 100 years of age, and even if every single one of those days are accompanied with pain, suffering, and distress, we will find that it pales in comparison to an eternity with Christ.

All your calamities will have an end shortly. The longest day of the saints' troubles has an end; and then no more troubles for ever. The troubles of the wicked will be to eternity, but you shall suffer but a while (I Pet. 5. 10). If a thousand troubles are appointed for you, they will come to one at last, and after that no more. Yea, and though 'our light afflictions are but for a moment,' yet they work 'for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory' (2 Cor. 4. 17). Let that support your hearts under all your sufferings. (pg. 209)

This is not a message that resonates with our "I want it now" culture, but it is one that we need to hear.

Mystery of Providence - Chapter 12b

It didn't take too many more pages to uncover something else that needs to capture our attention. We often ask "Why do bad things happen to good people?', forgetting 1) that none are good save God alone; and 2) God often uses that which we call "bad" for our good.

When was the last time that you heard anyone preach on the fact that God "chastens those whom He loves", or that God brings affliction into our lives to draw us closer to Himself?

From Flavel:

We may conclude our afflictions to be sanctified, and to come from the love of God to us, when they do not alienate our hearts from God, but inflame our love to Him. This is a sure rule: whatever ends in the increase of our love to God proceeds from the love of God to us. A wicked man finds his heart rising against God when He smites him, but a gracious heart cleaves the closer to Him; he can love as well as justify an afflicting God. (pg. 202-203)

May He grant us "gracious hearts", inflamed in love for Him, even when he afflicts us.

Mystery of Providence - Chapter 12a

Practical Problems in Connection with Providence

Another long chapter, probably requiring several posts, but this gem is found on page 194:

God never came under an absolute unlimited tie for outward comforts to any of us, and if we are disappointed, we can blame none but ourselves. Who bid us expect rest, ease, delight, and things of that kind in this world? He has never told us we shall be rich, healthy, and at ease in our habitations, but on the contrary, He has often told us we must expect troubles in the world (John 16. 33), and that we must 'through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God' (Acts 14. 22). All that He stands bound to us by promise for is to be with us in trouble (Ps. 91. 15), to supply our real and absolute needs. 'When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them' (Isa. 41. 17); and to sanctify all these providences to our good at last. 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose; (Rom. 8. 28). And to all these things, not one tittle ever did or shall fail.

Wow! Maybe the Joel Osteens of this world "bid us expect rest, ease, delight, and things of that kind in this world", but people would do their souls a great favor if they would read the Puritans and not the prosperity hucksters.

Mystery of Providence - Chapter Eleven

Practical Implications for the Saints

Following Chapter 10, one of the longer chapters in the book, we come across one of the shorter, totaling not quite four pages. Yet, we find considerable meat in these few words. I guess that we could call if the "fruit rollup" chapter.

Here is a juicy morsel for you to chew on:

Does God perform all things for His people? Do not distrust Him then when new or great difficulties arise. Why should you think He that has done so many things for you will now do no more? Surely, 'the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear' (Isa. 59. 1); if anything put a stop to His mercy, it is your iniquities, your distrust and infidelity. 'How long will it be ere you believe him?' If a thousand and ten thousand trials and experiences of His tender care, faithfulness and love will cure this unbelief in you, you have them at hand to do it. If the frequent confutations* of this your distrust by the unexpected breakings-out of mercy for you under like discouragements will cure it, look back and you may see them. Certainly you have been often forced by Providence with shame and repentance to retract your rash censures of His care; and yet will you fall into the same unbelieving state again? O that you would once learn this great truth, that no man ever lacked that mercy which he did not lack a heart to trust and wait quietly upon God for. You never yet sought God in vain, except when you sought Him vainly. (pg. 182-183)

* Confutation - Those things which are overwhelming in argument.

Mystery of Providence - Chapter 10 conclusion

From beginning to end, from birth through death, we see God's Providence at work. I know that I have been blessed while reading this chapter, and often found myself humming the tune to "My Tribute", sometimes without consciously realizing it:

My Tribute
© 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc.
Words and Music by Andrae Crouch

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me,
Things so undeserved,
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be,
I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me,
With His power He has raised me,
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done. 

One day we will sing a similar song, "...I doubt not but the providences in which we were concerned in this world will be a part of that song which we will sing in heaven..." (pg. 177)