Divine Dealings | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 4, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 22.

Divine Dealings.

MANY have found relief in their deep distress as they have reviewed what God has done for them and for others. Thus "the patriarch David" could say, "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." He could lead the people of God in their songs of praise, saying, "The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." The same ground of encouragement is afforded now, and much of God's goodness may be seen by his people in their own experience as well as in the experience of others. While they may have occasion to say with the psalmist, concerning many a source of trouble, "This is my infirmity," they may also fortify themselves against despair, or discouragement even, in saying, "But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate on all thy works, and talk of thy doings."

With each one of his "dear children," God has dealt wonderfully as well as graciously, affording them countless proofs of his power and love and faithfulness; and by what they have known of him in the way in which he has passed before them, they have good reason to encourage themselves in him. Who of them has not enough in all past experience to produce the conviction that there is no need of being discouraged, if God remains the same in helpfulness and beneficence as he has been hitherto? Though they may be in the deepest waters of adversity, yet the remembrance of past deliverances may give them hope of being again delivered. Thus David, when about to meet Goliath, who had defied the armies of the living God, nerved his spirit for the present, by recalling the past, and saying, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine."

In like manner those who can call David's God their God, may hope to be delivered out of the hand of their Philistine of whatever name, whether trouble, or grief, or hostility, or opposition, or disappointment, or bereavement, or friendlessness, or hopelessness; and in this confidence they may dismiss their fears and quell their anxieties. From what he had experienced in the trying scenes through which he had passed, David looked for deliverance out of the peril of an encounter with the giant of Gath.

So all the truly devout, in relation to God, may and should be comforted in their sorrows and raised above the depressions of their greatest trials. They must expect, in all their earthly way, to meet with various difficulties and adversities, but he who has been their strength is able to deliver from, or support in, the greatest perplexities or calamities which may await them; and therefore they should not give place to feelings of disquietude, nor yield to the pressure of dejection or discouragement. Their experience and observation of God's dealings with them and with others ought to effectually guard them against despondency or despair in any circumstances in which they may be placed.

Those who have been variously blessed may cherish the assurance that they will continue to share in the blessings which God is pleased to bestow, and say to him, "Wilt thou not again appear, where thou hast once appeared?"—The Watchman.