By John Newton

How highly does it become us, both as creatures
and as sinners, to submit to the appointments of
our Maker! and how necessary is it to our peace!

This great attainment is to often unthought of and
overlooked; we are prone to fix our attention upon
the second causes and immediate instruments of
events; forgetting whatever befalls us is according
to His purpose, and therefore must be right and
seasonable in itself, and shall in the issue be
productive of good.

From hence arise impatience, resentment, and secret
repinings, which are not only sinful but tormenting;
whereas if all things are in His hand, if the very hairs
of our head are numbered, if every event, great and
small are under the direction of his providence and
purpose; and if he has a wise, holy, and gracious
end in view, to which everything that happens is
subordinate and subservient; then we have nothing
to do, but with patience and humility to follow as
He leads, and cheerfully to expect a happy issue.

The path of present duty is marked out; and the
concerns of the next and every succeeding hour
are in His hands.

How happy are they who can resign all to Him,
see His hands in every dispensation, and believe
that He chooses better for them then they
possibly could for themselves!