The first law of true religion is submission to God's will. Where it does not exist, there is no piety and just as truly there is no tranquility of soul. What a hideous sight to see a human creature in full rebellion against God's providence repining at His allotments; fighting against His dispensations; and cursing His judgments!
The true recipe for miserable existence is this: Quarrel with Providence! When God means to make us happy, He teaches us submission, a resignation of everything into His hands, and an acknowledgment that whatever He does is wisest and best.
O how sweetly even afflictions fall, when there is such a temper to receive them! Shall we accept good from God and not trouble? Such a disposition tends to tranquility of soul; and even amidst chastisement, there is internal quiet.
[James W. Alexander]
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Job 2:10 ... But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Job 5:6 ... Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;
Ecclesiastes 7:14 ... In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Job 1:21 ... And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
1 Samuel 3:18 ... And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.
Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ❤
