How are we to obtain a sweet submission to God's afflictive providences?

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

It is the privilege of every Christian to know that all of his affairs are in God's loving hands; and that nothing shall be done which will not work for his spiritual and eternal good.

How are we to obtain a sweet submission to God's afflictive providences?

1. The first thing to be sought by you, is a deep sense of your own sinfulness. "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him!" Micah 7:9. We become reconciled to whatever affliction God may send, seeing that any chastisement in this world must be less than our iniquities have deserved! However heavy your trial may be, you will say, "Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?" Lamentations 3:39

Anything short of the miseries of Hell, especially if it tends to avert those miseries—will be accounted rather a mercy to be thankful for, than a judgment to be deplored!

O that in the prospect of our heaviest calamities, we might have such a view of our ill-desert, as should dispose us humbly to commit ourselves into God's hands, and cordially to welcome every trial which His all-wise providence may appoint for us!

Under every affliction, our acquiescence should be like that of Eli, "It is the Lord, may He do what seems good to Him!"

2. The next thing is to realize the universal agency of Divine Providence, so as to see that, "Affliction does not come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring forth out of the ground!" Job 5:6. We must be convinced that everything, even to the falling of a sparrow, or of a hair from our head—is ordered by the Lord. Matthew 10:29-30

Our nature may indeed recoil from suffering; and we may deplore it, even as our Lord himself did when He desired that the cup of suffering which had been put into His hands might pass from Him. But this you will do with submission, saying, "Not my will, but may Your will be done!" And when you see what the Lord's will is, you will chide your reluctant heart, saying, "The cup which my Father has given me—shall I not drink it?" John 18:11

3. Finally, look to the outcome of your trials. "You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy!" James 5:11

If God's furnace is to purge away your dross, then you will not greatly regret that He puts you into it. You will expect His presence with you in your troubles, for your comfort and support, (Malachi 3:3, Daniel 3:25,) and a rich compensation for them in the world to come! 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 7:14-15

Get these thoughts wrought into your hearts, and you will bear the heaviest calamities with resignation.

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11