Knowledge Promised # 2

Knowledge Promised # 2

He works wisely and kindly - when He works invisibly. He assigns no reason for His actions. If we complain or repine - He seems to say to us, as to Job, "Should it be according to your mind?" This silences us, for we dare not say that it should. The time to assign His reasons to us - is not now; but now is the time He expects faith of us.

He often acts contrary to sense - and contrary to our carnal expectations. We had, perhaps, laid down a plan for Him to work by - and He goes just opposite to it!

He crosses our wills - to sanctify our minds and hearts!

He opposes our foolish schemes - to execute His own wise and gracious designs!

He promises to make all plain by-and-bye. The revealing day will come. It may soon be here, therefore let us patiently wait, and hopefully anticipate it. We shall then know the nature of what He does; and see that all is gracious, wise, and kind. We shall then know the needs be for all that He does - for all is necessary for our present good, or future welfare.

We shall know the design of what He does - that it was to humble us and prove us, to purify and perfect us; to exalt His own name, illustrate His own character, and glorify His Father's grace. We shall know and feel fully satisfied - for all difficulties will be completely cleared up. We shall know and be filled with admiration at the wisdom, perfection, and prudence of all He did! We shall know and praise Him for working it all, for working as He did - and for concealing the design He had in view while He was thus trying us!

Beloved, though we do not understand now - what Jesus is doing; we shall assuredly know hereafter! And this calls for PATIENCE - we must wait for His revealing, when all will be made clear to us. At present we have need of patience, we are required to have patience; and if we can have patience with anyone, surely we may with Jesus!

Can He do wrong? Impossible, for all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him!

Can He act unkindly? Impossible, for He only fulfills the bruised reed He will not break, and the smoking flax He will not quench!

Can He make a mistake? Impossible, for He only fulfills the thing that is appointed for us, and many such things are with Him!

"We shall know hereafter!" This assurance calls for SUBMISSION; meek, uncomplaining, loving submission. There should be no complaining, no repining, no wishing - for our wishes spring from our ignorance, selfishness, or opposition to God.

This calls for FAITH - strong, steady, quiet faith. He is with us to cause all, and everything to work together for our good.

It calls for SILENCE! Do not attempt an explanation at present - but be willing to leave it, and quietly wait until the Lord comes. His promise respecting the future is, "You shall know hereafter."

Let us then look through all - to Jesus! Let us amidst all - trust in Jesus! Let us notwithstanding all - expect from Jesus! And in the darkest hour, in the dreariest season, endeavor to say, "I will wait for the Lord who hides Himself!" Yes, "it is the glory of God to conceal a thing," and Jesus, your Jesus, is God. O blessed assurance, of a blessed Saviour - that  though I do not understand what He is doing, nor why He does it - at present; yet I shall know hereafter! Let me be satisfied, more than satisfied with it - for I shall bless and praise Him forever and ever - for His mysterious, wise, and kind dealings with me!

~James Smith~

(The End)