Comments on an Accident
God's sovereignty is evident in all aspects of life, including accidents, and He uses them to remind us of our need to depend on Him.
John Newton reflects on a child's recovery from a serious injury, attributing it to God's mercy and sovereignty over all things, even what the world sees as accidents. He emphasizes that such events serve as reminders of life's uncertainties and the need for complete dependence on God, rather than clinging to temporary comforts and pursuits. Newton warns against pursuing things that may ultimately harm us, likening it to pulling scalding water upon oneself without realizing the danger within. He urges his audience to trust in God's protection and guidance, acknowledging that without His watchful eye, unseen dangers and challenges constantly surround us.
Text
September 4, 1777.
My Dear Sir,
---Poor little boy! it is mercy indeed that he recovered from such a formidable hurt. The Lord wounded, and the Lord healed. I ascribe, with you, what the world calls accident, to Him, and believe, that without His permission, for wise and good ends, a child can no more pull a bowl of boiling water on itself, than it could pull the moon out of its orbit. And why does He permit such things? One reason or two is sufficient for us: it is to remind us of the uncertainty of life and all creature-comforts, to make us afraid of cleaving too closely to pretty toys, which arc so precarious, that often while we look at them they vanish; and to lead us to a more entire dependence upon Himself; that we might never judge ourselves or our concerns safe from outward appearances only, but that the Lord is our keeper, and were not His eye upon us, a thousand dangers and painful changes, which we can neither foresee nor prevent, are lurking about us at every step, ready to break in upon us every hour. Men are but children of a larger growth. How many are labouring and planning in the pursuit of things, the event of which, if they obtain them, will be but like pulling scalding water upon their own heads! They must have the bowl by all means, but they are not aware what is in it till they feel it.
I am, &c.
Sermon Outline
- The Lord's Sovereignty in Accidents
- Dependence on God in Times of Uncertainty
- The Folly of Pursuing Earthly Things
- Many people labor and plan for things that will ultimately bring them harm
- They are unaware of the consequences until it is too late
Key Quotes
“The Lord wounded, and the Lord healed.” — John Newton
“Men are but children of a larger growth.” — John Newton
“They must have the bowl by all means, but they are not aware what is in it till they feel it.” — John Newton
Application Points
- We must be aware of the consequences of our actions and not become overly attached to things that are fleeting and precarious.
- We must trust in the Lord as our keeper and not judge ourselves or our concerns safe based on outward appearances.
- We must cultivate a deeper dependence on God in times of uncertainty and trust in His sovereignty.