Morning, August 5
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Romans 8:28
"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God."
Romans 8:28
Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance,
that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He
believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and
that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That re-assuring
knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters
and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows, and he hears a voice
saying, "It is I, be not afraid." He knows too that God is always wise,
and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no
mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. He can say,
"If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than
have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest
thing that could befall to me if God ordains it." "We know that all
things work together for good to them that love God." The Christian
does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of
fact. Everything has worked for good as yet; the poisonous drugs mixed
in fit proportions have worked the cure; the sharp cuts of the lancet
have cleansed out the proud flesh and facilitated the healing. Every
event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so,
believing that God rules all, that he governs wisely, that he brings
good out of evil, the believer's heart is assured, and he is enabled
calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit
of true resignation pray, "Send me what thou wilt, my God, so long as
it comes from thee; never came there an ill portion from thy table to
any of thy children."
"Say not my soul, From whence can God relieve my care?'
Remember that Omnipotence has servants everywhere.
His method is sublime, his heart profoundly kind,
God never is before his time, and never is behind."