COMFORT
How sweet must the following
considerations be to a distressed
believer.
There most certainly exists an
almighty, all-wise, and infinitely
gracious God.
He has given me in
times past, and is giving me at
present, if I had but eyes to see
it, many and signal intimations of
His love to me, both in a way of
providence and grace.
This
love of His is immutable; He never
repents of it or withdraws it.
Whatever comes to pas in time is
the result of His will from
everlasting. Consequently, My
afflictions were a part of His
original plan, and are all ordered
in number, weight, and measure.
The very hairs of my head are
every one counted by Him, nor can a
single hair fall to the ground but
in consequence of His
determination. Hence, my distresses
are not the result of chance,
accident, or a fortuitous
combination of circumstances. But,
the Providential accomplishment of
God's purpose.
They are
designed to answer some wise and
gracious end. Nor, shall my
affliction continue a moment longer
than God sees meet.
He who
brought me to it has promised to
support me under it, and carry me
through it.
All shall most
assuredly work together for His
glory and my good. Therefore, the
cup which my Heavenly Father hath
given me to drink, shall I not drink
it? Yes, I will, in the
strength He imparts, even rejoice in
tribulation, and, using the means of
possible redress which He hath, or
may hereafter put into my hands, I
will commit myself and the event to
Him whose purpose whose purpose
cannot be overthrown, whose plan
cannot be disconcerted, and who,
whether I am resigned or not, will
still go on to work all things after
the counsel of His own will.
By Augustus Toplady (1773), the
author of the well known hymn “Rock
of Ages.”
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