While He Seems to Slay You
The sermon encourages listeners to trust in God's goodness and mercy even in difficult circumstances, and to give Him glory in times of trial.
Anne Dutton preaches about trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness, emphasizing the importance of patiently waiting for His deliverance and finding joy in glorifying Him even in times of trial. She encourages believers to see trials as opportunities to bring glory to God, knowing that His love and faithfulness will ultimately turn their night into day. Anne Dutton reminds the audience that the darkness of providence is temporary, and that God's favor and life will prevail in the end.
Text
Dear Sir,
Surely our good God does all well, and governs the world and all things in it aright, and for the special advantage of His own people. You know how long my trial lasted. But sweetly the Lord enabled me to bow to His dear will, to hope in His mercy, to patiently to wait for His delivering kindness, and to think the many months of my trial, but a few days, for the love I had to His glory. Nature thought the time long, but grace said it was short. I was ashamed to think the trial long, as I had brought so little glory to God under it, and nothing I desire so much as to glorify God while it lasted, for I was persuaded that His affections would soon yearn upon me and turn my night into day. The Lord enabled me, in His strength, to trust in the infinite grace of His heart and His faithfulness, when a frown was on His face, and His customary loving-kindness was veiled with the darkness of providence.
And for yourself, continue to trust in the Lord while He seems to slay you, and covet to give Him glory in dark dispensations, as you will not have an opportunity to do when He brings you forth to the light. We have but a little time allotted us to glorify God in the dark; our night of weeping will soon be turned into a joyous morning, since the anger of our heavenly Father, in the frowns of providence, endures for a moment, but in His favor is life!
Sermon Outline
- Introduction
- The Lord's enabling power in times of trial
- Application to the listener
- Trust in God in dark dispensations
- Give God glory in times of trial
Key Quotes
“Nature thought the time long, but grace said it was short.” — Anne Dutton
“The Lord enabled me, in His strength, to trust in the infinite grace of His heart and His faithfulness, when a frown was on His face, and His customary loving-kindness was veiled with the darkness of providence.” — Anne Dutton
“Our night of weeping will soon be turned into a joyous morning, since the anger of our heavenly Father, in the frowns of providence, endures for a moment, but in His favor is life!” — Anne Dutton
Application Points
- Trust in God's goodness and mercy even when circumstances appear difficult or unfair.
- Give God glory by being patient and waiting for His deliverance in times of trial.
- Recognize that the Lord's frown is a temporary expression of His anger, but His favor is life and will ultimately prevail.