God’s Account of Little Things by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 28, 1909

God’s Account of Little Things

By F. M. W.

BLESSED indeed is the experience of the one who can trust God in all the little things of life. It is in this childlike simplicity of faith that we come to know God as he is. It is comparatively easy to trust an overruling Providence in the affairs of our friends, it is not so difficult to believe that God will control the great things in our own experience; but it requires a deeper measure of faith and closer contact with the divine to know through faith that Heaven takes account of all the little things in our lives, and that in these we may confidently expect guidance and protection as well as in the greater questions which burden our hearts.

Here and there through the Divine Revelation are little details and touches which reveal to us the tender solicitude of the heavenly Parent. The earth-life of our Lord shows us one who can enter into all the experiences of his children. He fed the hungry multitude; he wept at the grave of Lazarus; he furnished needed wine for the wedding feast; he said to his disciples, when weary, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.” Thus he shows that he takes account of hunger, of sorrow, of life’s conveniences, and of nervous and physical weariness in the experiences of his children.

In the garden of Gethsemane, when surrounded by the infuriated mob that sought his life, he cares for his disciples’ safety: “If ye seek me, let these go their way.” Even while hanging on the cross, suffering the pain of physical and mental anguish, filial love for his mother triumphs over personal pain, and he consigns her to the care of his faithful disciple, thus providing for her temporal needs.

After the resurrection, the same spirit of thoughtfulness is evident. He sends word to his disciples that he has risen, and to Peter a personal message, an evidence of love and compassion to the one who had so basely denied him in his hour of humiliation. And though glorified to-day, and sitting at the hand of heavenly Power, he is the same compassionate, loving Friend to the human family. “For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” What an assurance this gives us for heeding the admonition, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

This fellowship with human suffering and need was shown in his dealings with Israel of old. “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”

A beautiful illustration of how God takes account of little things is seen in the experience of Cornelius, who was praying for light and guidance. He was instructed by an angel: “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside; he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to know.” The angel takes account of Peter’s full name, the name of the man with whom Peter lodged, his business, and the location of his house. This shows that God takes all these things into the account in his relationship with his children to-day.

The apostle Paul, writing from his prison-house in Rome, directed Timothy: “The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.” Why did this commonplace instruction find its way into the Sacred Writings, which God gave for

the guidance of his church in all ages? Was it not to show that God takes all such little things of life into account? He cared whether the apostle Paul was cold or warm. He cares the same for his children to-day. He looks with sympathy on every thinly-clad, shivering form. He sorrows for the famine-stricken and distressed. All that grieves his creatures awakens a response in his great heart of love.

We may carry to him all the little worries of life, even the matters which are so trivial or personal that we might not feel free to take them to our nearest and dearest friend of earth. God will not scorn us or reproach us, nor will he betray to others our confidence.

This is the sweetness and closeness of communion into which every child of God may enter. The entrance may be made through simple, childlike faith. In this union with the blessed Lord may be found joy and peace, which will never come through cold, formal profession. And when this close relationship is established, it will make of the Christian religion a living reality, and not a mere theory.

The disciple will be held back from wrong-doing, not because he fears God or his judgments, but because he loves him, and would not willingly grieve the great heart of his truest and dearest Friend. Christian living becomes a service of joy because it is a service of love. And even those things which strike against the natural temperament are done willingly because they are done for One whose service is dearer than selfish desire or personal convenience. Let us come so close to God, and bring him so fully into all life’s experiences, that our religion shall become the joy and essence of our very life itself.

F. M. W.