The Arrangement of Our Whole Life

We will conclude our “Highly Effective Woman” series next week, but today seemed like a good day for a Spurgeon quote (although, when isn’t it?). Marie Silard, a pastor’s wife, good friend of Mom’s, and encourager extraordinaire sent this meditation to Mom as she was preparing to speak at the Resolved conference. Yesterday, Mom sent it to me as I am scheduled to speak at a ladies meeting at our church tomorrow. However, these thoughts on Proverbs 16:33 aren’t really about public teaching. They are about all of life. May they bring you “a holy calm” whatever your responsibilities or trials or circumstances this day.

"The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Proverbs 16:33

If the disposal of the lot is the Lord's whose is the arrangement of our whole life? If the simple casting of a lot is guided by him, how much more the events of our entire life--especially when we are told by our blessed Saviour: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered: not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father." It would bring a holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were always to remember this. It would so relieve your mind from anxiety, that you would be the better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness as a Christian should. When a man is anxious he cannot pray with faith; when he is troubled about the world, he cannot serve his Master, his thoughts are serving himself. If you would "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," all things would then be added unto you. You are meddling with Christ's business, and neglecting your own when you fret about your lot and circumstances. You have been trying "providing" work and forgetting that it is yours to obey. Be wise and attend to the obeying, and let Christ manage the providing. Come and survey your Father's storehouse, and ask whether he will let you starve while he has laid up so great an abundance in his garner? Look at his heart of mercy; see if that can ever prove unkind! Look at his inscrutable wisdom; see if that will ever be at fault. Above all, look up to Jesus Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself, while he pleads, can your Father deal ungraciously with you? If he remembers even sparrows, will he forget one of the least of his poor children? "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved."

My soul, rest happy in thy low estate, 

Nor hope nor wish to be esteem'd or great; 

To take the impress of the Will Divine, 

Be that thy glory, and those riches thine.

Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Morning, December 19

Attend to obeying. Let Christ manage the providing. And cue the laugh track, because Friday Funnies are coming your way next!