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  COMMENTS ON AN ACCIDENT
  by John Newton
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Summary: God's sovereignty is evident in all aspects of life, including
accidents, and He uses them to remind us of our need to depend on Him.

Topics: "God's Sovereignty", "Dependence On God"
Scripture References: Psalm 62:8, Psalm 103:2, Psalm 121:7, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 16:9

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DESCRIPTION
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John Newton reflects on a child's recovery from a serious injury,
attributing it to God's mercy and sovereignty over all things, even what
the world sees as accidents. He emphasizes that such events serve as
reminders of life's uncertainties and the need for complete dependence
on God, rather than clinging to temporary comforts and pursuits. Newton
warns against pursuing things that may ultimately harm us, likening it
to pulling scalding water upon oneself without realizing the danger
within. He urges his audience to trust in God's protection and guidance,
acknowledging that without His watchful eye, unseen dangers and
challenges constantly surround us.

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CONTENT
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September 4, 1777.

My Dear Sir,

---Poor little boy! it is mercy indeed that he recovered from such a
formidable hurt. The Lord wounded, and the Lord healed. I ascribe, with
you, what the world calls accident, to Him, and believe, that without
His permission, for wise and good ends, a child can no more pull a bowl
of boiling water on itself, than it could pull the moon out of its
orbit. And why does He permit such things? One reason or two is
sufficient for us: it is to remind us of the uncertainty of life and all
creature-comforts, to make us afraid of cleaving too closely to pretty
toys, which arc so precarious, that often while we look at them they
vanish; and to lead us to a more entire dependence upon Himself; that we
might never judge ourselves or our concerns safe from outward
appearances only, but that the Lord is our keeper, and were not His eye
upon us, a thousand dangers and painful changes, which we can neither
foresee nor prevent, are lurking about us at every step, ready to break
in upon us every hour. Men are but children of a larger growth. How many
are labouring and planning in the pursuit of things, the event of which,
if they obtain them, will be but like pulling scalding water upon their
own heads! They must have the bowl by all means, but they are not aware
what is in it till they feel it.

I am, &c.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-newton/comments-on-an-accident/
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