God's Providence (3)

God's ways seem often to us full of contradictions because his course is to bring things to pass by contrary means. There is a mystery not only in God's decree concerning man's eternal state, but likewise in his providence, as why he should deal unequally with men otherwise equal. His judgments are a great depth, which we cannot fathom, they will swallow up our thoughts and understandings. God often wraps himself in a cloud and will not be seen until afterward. Where we cannot trace him, we ought, with Paul, to admire and adore him. When we are in heaven, it will be one part of our happiness to see the harmony of those things that seem now confused to us. All God's dealings will appear beautiful in their due seasons, though we for the present see not the continuity and linking together of one with another.
The way to submit patiently to God's will is to be in the habit of doing so. He that endures anything will endure it quietly, when he knows it is the will of God, and considers that whatever befalls him comes from his good pleasure. Those that have not accustomed themselves to the yoke of obedience, will never endure the yoke of suffering; they fume and rage 'as a wild boar in a net' (Isa. 51:20). It is worth the considering, to see two men of equal parts under the same cross, how quietly and calmly the one that establishes his soul on Christ will bear his afflictions, whereas the other rages as a fool, and is more beaten.
Let us lay our hand upon our mouths, and command the soul to holy silence, not daring to yield to the least rising of our hearts against God. David said, 'I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because you did it' (Psa. 39:9). In this silence and hope is our strength.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, pp. 207-08
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