Consider the Hand of the Lord, by John Flavel (1627-91)

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Go thy way, Christian, to thy God. Get thee to thy knees in the cloudy and dark day. Retire from all creatures, that thou mayest have thy full liberty with thy God, and there pour out thy heart before Him in free, full, and broken-hearted confessions of sin…Surely, if thy heart is in this course, thou shalt be able to say, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul” (Psa 94:19).

Consider the hand of the Lord in the whole matter.

FIRST, as a sovereign hand, which has right to dispose of you and all your comforts, without your permission or consent (Job 33:13).

SECONDLY, as a father’s hand, correcting you in love and faithfulness. “Whom the LORD loves he corrects, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12). Oh, if once you could but see affliction as a rod in a father’s hand, proceeding from his love, and intended for your eternal good—how quiet you would then be!

And surely if it draws your heart nearer to God, and mortifies it more to this vain world, it is a rod in the hand of special love.

If your trial ends in your love to God,
doubt not but it comes from God’s love to you.

THIRDLY, As a just and righteous hand. Have you not procured this to yourself by your own folly? Yes, the Lord is just in all that is come upon you; whatever he has done, he has done you no wrong.

FOURTHLY, As a moderate and merciful hand that has punished you less than your iniquities deserve. He who has cast you into affliction, might justly have cast you into Hell. It is of the Lord’s mercy that you are not consumed. ” Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?” (Lamentations 3:39)

Words of Wisdom from the Cloud of Witnesses: "Cloud of Witnesses" refers to those in Heaven who have run their races and are now with the Lord. Their words of wisdom are filled with faith, hope, love, and joy that warm our souls. Their words present the eternal truths of God that grow us and give us joy. And their words strengthen our souls, equip our minds, encourage our hearts, and empower us to stand firm in our faith and be motivated, ready, and willing to share the hope we have in Jesus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith...(Hebrews 12:1-2)

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