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THE LORD DOES RIGHT

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 12, 1869

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 16.

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THE LORD DOES RIGHT.

By Robert F. Cottrell

The Lord chooses his own mode and means of operation, and it is right always, and always the best. But unconsecrated human nature, instead of being thankful for what he does, murmurs and repines for what he does not. We should call to mind what he has done for us in the past—his great deliverance from our Egyptian servitude, and his strong arm in bringing us across the Red Sea of our affliction and peril. The sea was divided for Israel but once. They should never have forgotten it, however, in any subsequent trial. So with us. We should in each new trial, call to mind the way that God has led us; be thankful for the past, calm for the present, and confiding for the future.
In case an Achan is in the camp, let God search him out; and let him take his own way for it, too. He can, if he sees best, point him out directly; but if, instead of doing so, he chooses to develop the matter in another way, by the slow and laborious process of the lot upon the tribes and families of Israel, and thus elicit a voluntary confession of guilt, it is all right, and the lesson inculcated will be better appreciated, and the effect upon Israel be more salutary. It is matter for rejoicing when the accursed obstacle to Israel’s success is removed; and not a proper cause for murmuring as to the manner of proceeding. The Lord has wrought for Israel all the way, sometimes by striking signs and marvelous displays of power, and sometimes in a different and less conspicuous way. He has done what was best. If the wavering and the unbelieving take occasion to give loose rein to their long-cherished spirit of murmuring and discontent, it will open the way for a further cleansing of the camp.
It is much better to be established upon the evidences of the truth of our position, so that no adverse wind can move us. Has God wrought for us by his word, his providence and his Spirit? Do we know that God is developing his people by the last merciful message? Have the remnant begun to appear, that keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ? Are we settled in this? or is it better to appoint for us a captain and go back into Egypt, or disband, and every one find his own way out of the desert? It would be well to be decided, and bear together our calamities with as good grace as possible; think of our sins, for which God suffers us to be tried, and not cherish the spirit of murmuring and revolt against those upon whom God has laid the burden of his work, and our fearfully-precarious condition, with almost overwhelming and crushing weight.
God lives and reigns; and those who are faithful to him will finally be the victors. Work, Lord, in thine own way; but give me a portion with thy people.
R. F. COTTRELL.