Divine Providence and Human Plans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1907

Divine Providence and Human Plans

God often directs the movements of his servants in ways to us very mysterious, and known only unto himself. Robert Morrison, the great pioneer missionary to China, planned to go to Africa. David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. Truly, “there is a divinity that shapes our ends.” Solemn, sedate Robert Morrison never could have won the love of the emotional Africans as Livingstone did; and Livingstone, the active worker, who hated book-making, never could have sat cooped up twelve hours a day, translating the Scriptures into that difficult Chinese tongue. Rebekah was anxious that her favorite son should get the coveted blessing, and interfered with the fine touch of the Infinite in shaping the events and destinies of her boys. But in the crossed arms of Jacob himself upon his death-bed, with his hands placed upon the heads of Joseph’s two sons, we have a fitting illustration of how our great God makes no mistakes when human plans and schemes are presumptuously thrust athwart the pathway of his providences.