September 14

Let him do what seemeth him good. - 1 Samuel 3:18.

WE are not at our own disposal here. We should therefore submit ourselves to the will of our Lord and Master, and say, “Here am I, let him do with me as seemeth him good.” We must not, therefore, complain if he restrain us; we must not murmur if he tries us; we must not repine if he bereaves us. The gardener having a rare and beautiful flower, feels interested in it, and views it with pleasure, but when he goes by the parterre some day he finds it is gathered, and he says angrily, Who has gathered this flower? looking around. One says to him, “The master, he gathered it,” then he is silent.

So was another when he sustained such a loss. “And Aaron held his peace.” And David, referring to his feelings under similar bereaving circumstances, said, “I was dumb; I opened not my mouth because thou didst it.” And God himself says, “Be still and know that I am God.” He has a right to determine our connections, the bounds of our habitations, and the way in which we are to glorify him. And he never exercises the right but for our own welfare, because he is infinitely wise and infinitely kind; we may therefore well resign ourselves to him.

He calls some to public stations; he orders others to walk in the shade; some at his bidding cross over land and sea. They also “serve that wait,” and they also that suffer. And frequently Christians have been the most useful in glorifying their Lord in the fires of tribulation. Thus they have awakened attention, and when their temper and their demeanour have said in their sorrows, Though I mourn I do not murmur; I know, “O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” “Let thy loving-kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word, unto thy servant.” “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

When this has been the language and the experience, what an impression has often been made. How it has displayed the excellency and the efficacy of the gospel in showing its rich supports and consolations.