Lessons of Providence by R. F. COTTRELL

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 7, 1874

Lessons of Providence.

By R. F. COTTRELL

God teaches men by his providence. Happy is he who learns the lessons which God designs to teach. But, alas! how slow is fallen human nature to learn.

All that we have is the Lord's. We are only stewards of the gracious gifts of God. We ourselves are not our own. Our being is of his bounty; and, besides this, after we had forfeited life, we were bought with a price. By sin we lost all claim to life and all its blessings. But these have been purchased by the blood of Christ; therefore we owe all to the favor of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Then it is, as the apostle says, “our reasonable service,” not only to hold the gifts of Providence as stewards, but “to present our persons a living sacrifice.” All that we have should be held upon the altar, ready to be used in the cause of God—the benevolent work of human salvation.

But when the cause of God calls for means we are apt to say, We would like to help, but we cannot spare the means. We see no way that we could spare five or ten dollars, and meet the calls and just demands against us. But Providence, perhaps, soon demonstrates to us that we can spare ten times as much. Lightnings, tornadoes, and hail may burn or demolish our buildings, destroy our crops in the field, or our beasts. Sickness in our families may hold us from our labor and bring additional expenses. Other calamities may befall us. In such ways we may be taught that we can spare hundreds, instead of tens. Still we may live and want none of the blessings that are needful for us.

The design of God's adverse providences is to teach us benevolence and liberality. Those are happy that learn the lesson and heed the instruction. But sad is the case of those upon whom it has the contrary effect.

R. F. COTTRELL.