God Knows What He Is Doing to Us
God's sovereignty and wisdom are evident in the difficult circumstances of life, which are designed to promote our character and happiness.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the divine wisdom and purpose behind God's actions, assuring that everything He does is meaningful and purposeful, even if we may not understand it at the moment. She emphasizes that joy and pain are both essential in God's plan for our lives, serving as valuable lessons and ministries from Heaven. Tileston encourages acceptance of the circumstances, people, and duties in our lives, trusting that God, as the Good Shepherd, leads us to places of peace and blessing for our ultimate happiness and character development.
Text
Ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done, saith the Lord God.
EZEKIEL 14:23
JOY is the lesson set for some,
For others pain best teacher is;
We know not which for us shall come,
But both are Heaven's high ministries.
SUSAN COOLIDGE
THE outward features of our life may not be all that we should choose them to be; there may be things we wish for that never come to us; there may be much we wish away that we cannot part from. The persons with whom we live, the circumstances by which we are surrounded, the duties we have to perform, the burdens we have to bear, may not only be other than what we should have selected for ourselves, but may even seem inconsistent with that formation and discipline of character which we honestly wish to promote. Knowing us better than we know ourselves, fully understanding how greatly we are affected by the outward events and conditions of life, He has ordered them with a view to our entire and final, not only our immediate, happiness; and whenever we can be safely trusted with pastures that are green, and waters that are still, in the way of earthly blessing, the Good Shepherd leads us there.
ANTHONY W. THOROLD
Sermon Outline
- God's Sovereignty and Wisdom
- The Purpose of Life's Circumstances
- God's Good Shepherd
- Leads us to green pastures and still waters
- When we can be safely trusted
Key Quotes
“We know not which for us shall come, But both are Heaven's high ministries.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Knowing us better than we know ourselves, fully understanding how greatly we are affected by the outward events and conditions of life, He has ordered them with a view to our entire and final, not only our immediate, happiness;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“The Good Shepherd leads us there.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Trust God's sovereignty and wisdom, even when life is difficult.
- Look for opportunities to grow in character and faith through challenging circumstances.
- Remember that God's purpose is to promote your happiness and bring glory to Himself.