Every bitter cup

(John Bunyan) "My times are in Your hand." Psalm 31:15 Afflictions are governed by God, both as to . . . their time, their number, their nature, their measure. Our times, therefore, and our condition in these times, are in the hand of God. God is in all providences, be they . . . ever so bitter, ever so afflicting, ever so smarting, ever so destructive to our earthly comforts. Every bitter cup is of His preparing! It is Jesus, your best friend who most dearly loves you, who appoints all providences, orders them all, overrules, moderates, and sanctifies them all--and will sweeten them all--and in His due time will make them profitable unto you, that you shall one day have cause to praise and bless His name for them all. "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He scourges every son whom He receives." Heb. 12:6