Providence (22)
Let us be content that God should rule the world; learn to acquiesce in his will, and submit to his providence. Does any affliction befall you? Remember God sees it is that which is fit for you, or it would not come. Your clothes cannot be so fit for you as your crosses. God's providence may sometimes be secret—but it is always wise; and though we may not be silent under God's dishonor—yet we should learn to be silent under his displeasure.
Thomas Watson
A Body of Divinity p. 125 Banner of Truth the Lord usually adapts means to ends, from which the plain lesson is, that we shall be likely to accomplish most when we are in the best spiritual condition; or in other words, we shall usually do our Lord's work best when our gifts and graces are in good order, and we shall do worst when they are most out of trim.
Lectures to my Students
Providence is wiser than you, and you may be confident it has suited all things better to your eternal good than you could do had you been left to your own option.
God chequers his providences, white and black—as the pillar of the cloud had its light side and dark side. Look on the light side of the estate; who looks on the back side of a landscape? Suppose you have lost much in a law-suit—there is the dark side; yet you have some land left—there is the light side. You have sickness in your body—there is the dark side; but you also have grace in your soul—there is the light side. You have a child taken away—there is the dark side; your husband lives—there is the light side. God's providences in this life are variously represented by those speckled horses among the myrtle-trees which were red and white. (Ze. 1:1) Mercies and afflictions are interwoven—God speckles his work.https://gracegems.org/Watson/art_of_divine_contentment2.htm
God wills that which is good, by approving it; that which is evil — in as much as it is evil — by disallowing and forsaking it. And yet, He voluntarily permits evil, because it is good that there should be evil.
In his great condescension; though he be so high, yet for the preservation, and gubernation of his poor creatures, he abaseth himself; i.e. rather then they shall want governing and sustaining, he will take charge of them himself, and so far veil his glory, as to imploy his wisdom, power, and other attributes for their advantage.
A glimpse of God\'s glory
I have read of a minister, that in the night had a sudden motion to go visit a certain neighbour, and though he argued with himself the unseasonableness of the time, and his ignorance of any cause for such an action, yet the impulse upon him was so strong that he could not withstand it; so going to that friend's house late in the night, he found none at home save the master of the house. Truly, saith the minister to him, I am come to your house thus late, but I know not to what end, nor for what purpose. Yea, saith the man of the house, but God knoweth; for I have made away, through my profaneness, so many children's portions, and here is the rope in my pocket with which I was going to hang myself. But what, replied the minister, if I can tell you of one that made away with more portions, and yet was saved? Who was that? said the neighbour. Adam, saith the minister; who, as a public person, was entrusted with the stock of all his posterity, and prodigally wasted them, yet was saved. Thus, by his serious and seasonable counsel, he stayed the man from his purpose, and was, probably, instrumental for much spiritual good to him.
We should sweetly acquiesce in God's will, in faith that whatever He permits in our life is right and best for us.
Don't plan without God. God seems to have a delightful way of upsetting the plans we have made, when we have not taken Him into account.
When we trustfully resign ourselves, and all our affairs into God's hands, fully persuaded of His love and faithfulness, the sooner shall we be satisfied with His providences and realize that "He doeth all things well.
A firm faith in the universal providence of God is the solution of all earthly troubles.
A firm faith in the universal providence of God is the solution of all earthly problems. It is almost equally true that a clear and full apprehension of the universal providence of God is the solution of most theological problems.
But why should we not place implicit confidence in God and rely upon His word of promise? Is anything too hard for the Lord? Has His word of promise ever failed? Then let us not entertain any unbelieving suspicions of His future care of us. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not so His promises.
it is the merest trifling to substitute a bare permission for the providence of God, as if he sat in a watch-tower waiting for fortuitous events, his judgments meanwhile depending on the will of man.Institutes Book 1 Chapter 18
You infer that danger is not to be guarded against, because, if it is not fatal, you shall escape without precaution; whereas the Lord enjoins you to guard against it, just because he wills it not to be fatal.Institutes, Book 1, Chapter 16
the eternal decree of God by no means prevent us from proceeding, under his will, to provide for ourselves, and arrange all our affairs. And the reason for this is clear. For he who has fixed the boundaries of our life, has at the same time entrusted us with the care of it, provided us with the means of preserving it, forewarned us of the dangers to which we are exposed, and supplied cautions and remedies, that we may not be overwhelmed unawares.Institutes, Book 1, Chapter 16
When he desired that Jonah should be thrown into the sea, he sent forth a whirlwind. Those who deny that God holds the reins of government will say that this was contrary to ordinary practice, whereas I infer from it that no wind ever rises or rages without his special command.Institutes, Book 1, Chapter 16
let the reader remember that the providence we mean is not one by which the Deity, sitting idly in heaven, looks on at what is taking place in the world, but one by which he, as it were, holds the helm, and overrules all events.Institutes, Book 1, Chapter 16
there is no random power, or agency, or motion in the creatures, who are so governed by the secret counsel of God, that nothing happens but what he has knowingly and willingly decreed.Institutes, Book 1, Chapter 16
We must be persuaded not only that as he once formed the world, so he sustains it by his boundless power, governs it by his wisdom, preserves it by his goodness, in particular, rules the human race with justice and judgment, bears with them in mercy, shields them by his protection; but also that not a particle of light, or wisdom, or justice, or power, or rectitude, or genuine truth, will anywhere be found, which does not flow from him, and of which he is not the causeInstitutes, Book 1 Chapter 2
(a) sinful acts are under divine control and occur according to God's pre-determination and purpose, but only by divine permission, so that He does not efficiently cause men to sin - (b) that God often restrains the sinful works of the sinner - (c) that God in behalf of His own purpose overrules evil for goodSystematic Theology, 174
The unceasing activity of the Creator, whereby in overflowing bounty and goodwill, He upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory. The New Bible Dictionary
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2. J.C. Ryle (111)
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5. John Piper (82)
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7. George Swinnock (69)
8. Louis Berkhof (62)
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