The Secrets of Providence
Faith looks deeper to see the hidden meaning behind God's dealings with us, trusting that even in dark circumstances, there are treasures of love, kindness, and wisdom hidden within.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the secrets of Providence that God's dear children may learn, emphasizing that God's dealings may appear dark and terrible outwardly, but faith allows us to see the hidden meaning and trust in God's goodness. Just like diamonds in rough packages, God's valuable treasures of love, kindness, and wisdom may be hidden within seemingly rough circumstances. By trusting God and accepting what He sends, even in the dark times, we can unravel the secrets of Providence and understand His plans for us.
Text
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him" (Ps. 25:14).
There are secrets of Providence which God's dear children may learn. His dealings with them often seem, to the outward eye, dark and terrible. Faith looks deeper and says, "This is God's secret. You look only on the outside; I can look deeper and see the hidden meaning."
Sometimes diamonds are done up in rough packages, so that their value cannot be seen. When the Tabernacle was built in the wilderness there was nothing rich in its outside appearance. The costly things were all within, and its outward covering of rough badger skin gave no hint of the valuable things which it contained.
God may send you, dear friends, some costly packages. Do not worry if they are done up in rough wrappings. You may be sure there are treasures of love, and kindness, and wisdom hidden within. If we take what He sends, and trust Him for the goodness in it, even in the dark, we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of Providence. --A. B. Simpson
"Not until each loom is silent,
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the pattern
And explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
For the pattern which He planned."
He that is mastered by Christ is the master of every circumstance. Does the circumstance press hard against you? Do not push it away. It is the Potter's hand. Your mastery will come, not by arresting its progress, but by enduring its discipline, for it is not only shaping you into a vessel of beauty and honor, but it is making your resources available.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Secrets of Providence
- A. God's dealings with us often seem dark and terrible
- B. Faith looks deeper to see the hidden meaning
- II. The Value of Hidden Things
- A. Sometimes treasures are hidden in rough packages
- B. God's packages may look unappealing, but trust Him for the goodness within
- III. The Potter's Hand
- A. We are shaped by our circumstances, not by resisting them
- B. Enduring discipline makes our resources available
Key Quotes
“Not until each loom is silent, And the shuttles cease to fly, Will God unroll the pattern And explain the reason why The dark threads are as needful In the Weaver's skillful hand, As the threads of gold and silver For the pattern which He planned.” — Charles E. Cowman
“He that is mastered by Christ is the master of every circumstance.” — Charles E. Cowman
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Trust God for the goodness in the packages He sends, even if they look unappealing.
- Endure the discipline of your circumstances to make your resources available.
- Be mastered by Christ to master every circumstance.