Grace Quotes

(James, "The Widow Directed to the Widow's God" 1841) "They all know that the the hand of the Lord has done this. In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:9-10 "Be still, and know that I am God." Such is the admonition which comes to you--and which comes from heaven. It is God Himself who has bereaved you--through whatever second causes He has inflicted the blow. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge--much less a rational and immortal creature. He has the keys of death, and never for a moment entrusts them out of His hand--the door of the sepulcher is never unlocked, but by Himself! Though men may drop and die as unheeded by many, as the fall of the autumnal leaf in the pathless desert--they die not by chance! Every incident which has reduced you to your present sorrowful condition, is an individual decision of infinite wisdom. Whether therefore, the death of your husband was slow or sudden; at home or abroad; by accident or disease--it was appointed, and all its circumstances arranged, by God. Be still, therefore, and know that He is God, who does His will among the armies of heaven, and the inhabitants of earth, and allows no one to question His proceedings. Bow down before Him with unqualified submission--and find relief in acquiescence to His wise and sovereign will. Submission forbids all passionate invective; all rebellious language; all bitter reflections on second causes; and all questionings about the wisdom, goodness, or equity of the God of Providence. You should not only suppress all murmuring and complaining language--but all thoughts and feelings of this kind. Submission is that state of the soul under afflictive dispensations of Providence, which produces an acquiescence in the will of God--as just, and wise, and good. It expresses itself in some such manner as the following. "I deeply feel the heavy loss I have sustained, and my nature mourns and weeps. But as I am persuaded it is the Lord's doing, who has a right to do as He pleases, and who is at the same time too wise to mistake, and too benevolent to put me to unnecessary pain--I endeavor to bow down to His holy will." Did we really believe in the doctrine of Providence, and that He who superintends its administration, unites to an arm of omnipotence--a mind of infinite knowledge, and a heart of boundless love--submission would be easy! Christian mourner, consider God as the author of all your trials--as well as of all your comforts! View Him as your Father! Be assured that He loves you too well to do you any harm! Be confident that He is making all things work together for your good! "I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9