July 2

Who hath disposed the whole world. - Job 34:13.

THE Lord is also the Disposer of the whole world of grace. He hath said, making the comparison himself, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness; and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind.” Here “he works all things after the counsel of his own will.” Hence, says the apostle, “he hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling; not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

Observe here, he speaks not only of grace, but of the purpose of grace. There was nothing left unappointed or unarranged. He tells us that “God hath appointed us to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ;” and he calls this God’s own purpose, peculiarly his own, preeminently his own, which is to bring glory to him in the highest. The scheme stretches from eternity to eternity, and in every part of it we see God “abounding towards us in all wisdom and prudence.” The season in which the Messiah was to appear was arranged by infinite wisdom, which is called the “fulness of time.” He arranged every thing pertaining to the gospel dispensation. We see, in reading the Acts of the Apostles, how these apostles were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to go in one direction, and their feet turned into another. While God sometimes giveth not any account of his matters, he has reasons for what he does satisfactory to himself.

The Christian must walk by faith, and say in many instances, with our divine Lord, “Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight.” What seems good to us may be evil; what seems good to him must accord with reality, for his judgment is always according to truth. Thus he arranges every thing in the Christian church. The apostle, in his Epistle to the Corinthians, says, “Now, there are diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are differences of administration, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same Lord which worketh all in all.” “But all these worketh that one and the same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” “He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

The same may be exemplified with regard to every individual who is the subject of divine grace; for, as the apostle says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” So that there has not any thing been left to accident; but all has been arranged by infinite wisdom. The time of their conversion, the place too,-perhaps on a journey of business, or perhaps on a visit of friendship; and the manner too,-sometimes by the impressions of terror, and sometimes by a promise of love; and the means also,-perhaps a tract, or a book, or a sermon, or a wise reproof or admonition:-all has transpired according to his purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ before the world began.