Morning, December 19
Go To Evening Reading
“The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of
the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:33
If the disposal of the lot is the Lord’s whose is the arrangement of our whole life? If the simple casting
of a lot is guided by him, how much more the events of our entire
life—especially when we are told by our blessed Saviour: “The very hairs of your head are all numbered: not a sparrow falleth
to the ground without your Father.” It would bring a holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were
always to remember this. It would so relieve your mind from anxiety,
that you would be the better able to walk in patience, quiet, and
cheerfulness as a Christian should. When a man is anxious he cannot
pray with faith; when he is troubled about the world, he cannot serve
his Master, his thoughts are serving himself. If you would “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” all things would then be added unto you. You are meddling with Christ’s business, and neglecting your own when you fret about your lot and
circumstances. You have been trying “providing” work and forgetting that it is yours to obey. Be wise and attend
to the obeying, and let Christ manage the providing. Come and survey
your Father’s storehouse, and ask whether he will let you starve while he has
laid up so great an abundance in his garner? Look at his heart of
mercy; see if that can ever prove unkind! Look at his inscrutable
wisdom; see if that will ever be at fault. Above all, look up to Jesus
Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself, while he pleads, can your
Father deal ungraciously with you? If he remembers even sparrows,
will he forget one of the least of his poor children? “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee. He will never
suffer the righteous to be moved.”
My soul, rest happy in thy low estate,
Nor hope nor wish to be esteem'd or great;
To take the impress of the Will Divine,
Be that thy glory, and those riches thine.