Good morning,
This devotion by Charles Simeon is filled with practical spiritual wisdom. Read it once and then read it again. There is also a link to listen to an audio presentation.
We are apt to measure His wisdom, by the faulty line of our own reason!
(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
In the Scriptures, Jehovah is represented as ordering and overruling all things for His own glory, and the good of His redeemed people!
There is nothing in the whole universe which did not derive its existence from His all-creating hand; nor is anything left to its own operations without His sovereign control.
Be it either prosperity or calamity–all things only come to pass according to God’s sovereign plan! As God Himself has told us,
“I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster!
I, the Lord, do all these things!”
Isaiah 45:7
Just because God does not exert His Almighty power for us at the first moment that we implore His aid–we might suppose that our way is hidden from Him, or that He does not care about us. But we forget that He has gracious designs to accomplish; and that He accomplishes them in ways we have no conception of. We are apt to measure His wisdom, by the faulty line of our own reason! We forget that His sovereign thoughts and ways and paths are unfathomable!
Now let God’s almighty power and unerring wisdom be considered. Let the afflicted saint contemplate Jehovah as ordering and overruling everything for the good of His people and for the glory of His own name. Let us say, “I have cried to Him for a very long time, and have not been heard–but perhaps the purposes of Jehovah are not yet ripe for accomplishment. Perhaps I must remain longer in His purifying furnace in order to a more glorious exaltation.”
Let us recollect the ways in which Joseph’s dreams were realized; and bear in mind, that the same God sits at the helm, and directs our vessel amidst all the storms–the very storms and winds all fulfilling his sovereign will and pleasure!
This would be abundantly sufficient to compose our minds under the most afflictive circumstances that can be imagined. For where there is unerring wisdom to direct, and Almighty power to execute–no difficulty can exist, which shall not be overruled for our ultimate good and God’s glory!
Hence, we must leave everything to His all-wise disposal, in a way of humble dependence and meek submission to His holy will!
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good–to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand!”
Isaiah 41:10
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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