"I form the light — and create darkness; I make peace — and create evil! I the LORD do all these things!" Isaiah 45:7

What a sad world this would be were it governed by Fate! Were its blended lights and shadows, its joys and sorrows the result of capricious accident or blind and wayward chance! How blessed to think that each separate occurrence which befalls me is the fulfillment of God's own immutable purpose!

Is it the material world? It is He who forms the light and creates darkness; who appoints the sun and moon for their seasons; who gives to the sea its decree; who watches the sparrow in its fall; who tends the lily in the field; and who paints the tiniest flower that blossoms in the meadow.

Is it the moral world? All events are predetermined and prearranged by Him! "I make peace and create evil!" Both prosperity and adversity are His appointment. The Lord who of old prepared Jonah's shade-plant, also prepared the worm! He gives and He takes away. He molds every tear! He "puts them into His bottle." He knows them all, counts them all, treasures them all. Not one of them falls unbidden, unnoted.

"The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Over every occurrence in nature and in providence, He writes, "I the Lord do all these things!" True, His thoughts are often mysterious, and His ways are past finding out. We are led at times, amid the bewildering mazes of His providential dealings, to exclaim, "O Lord, how great are Your works, and Your thoughts are very deep!" Be it ours to defer our verdict until their full development.

We cannot envision the thoughts and intents of the architect or engineer in the first clearing of the ground for the foundation of some gigantic structure. The uninitiated eye can discover nothing but piles of unshapely rubbish a chaos of confusion. But gradually, as week by week passes we see his thoughts molding themselves into visible and substantial shapes of order and beauty. And when the edifice at last stands before us complete, we discern that all which was mystery and confusion at first was a necessary part and portion of the undertaking.

So is it, at present, regarding the mysterious dealings of God. Often, in vain, do we try to comprehend the purposes of the Almighty Architect, amid the dust and debris of the earthly foundations. Let us wait patiently, until we gaze on the finished structure of eternity.

Oh, blessed assurance that the loom of our life is in the hands of the Great Designer that it is He who is interweaving the threads of our existence: the light and the dark, the acknowledged good and the apparent evil. The chain of what is erroneously called "destiny," is in His keeping. He knows its every connecting link He has forged each one on His own anvil!

Man's purposes have failed, and are ever liable to fail his brightest anticipations may be thwarted; his best-laid schemes may be frustrated.

Life is often a retrospect of crushed hopes, the bright rainbow-hues of morning, passing in its afternoon into damp mist and drizzling rain. "Many are the thoughts in a man's heart," (knowing no fulfillment nor fruition) "but the counsel of the Lord that shall stand." "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse My actions!"

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6

John MacDuff

Justification by Christ's imputed righteousness is the center arch of that bridge by which we pass out of time into a blissful eternity.

John Ryland

RAINDROPS AND SUNBEAMS

Many times we have witnessed that amazing sight of rain falling while the sun shined. I think this is much like the experiences of God's people! Their experience is a mixture of what appears to be extremes and opposites. As it is with rain and sunshine on the crops of the fields, we must need both. We are as Paul said, "As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." (2 Cor 6:10)

Gary Shepard

Christ was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. By His obedience the many were made righteous. This is set forth in the gospel which is preached for the obedience of faith. All who believe on Him are righteous through His obedience and seek to obey Him out of love and gratitude. Christ as a Son learned obedience and may we in the same relationship learn the same thing!

Gary Shepard

Easy, good-natured, affable men, whose hearts are nevertheless unrenewed by divine grace; may be compared to ripe plums and apricots, which, however soft and smooth on the outside, yet have a hard stone within.

Anonymous

The way to overcome pride, envy, and the spirit of carnal ambition is to submit yourselves to God! Submit to His will and purpose regarding gifts, talents, and possessions; to His place of service, be it lowly or great; to his will to prosper or empty us, to honor or humiliate us. There is ONE NAME to be praised, ONE WILL to be done, ONE LIFE to be imitated, ONE PERSON who must have the pre-eminence -- our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Henry Mahan

O SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP

1. On thee O Shepherd of the sheep,

I cast my helpless soul;

Who else can save me from my sin

Or make my spirit whole?

2. Thy righteousness O Lamb of God,

In mercy grant to me;

For only in Thy beauty can

I live eternally.

3. O sprinkle now Thy cleansing blood,

My conscience purge from sin;

Send now Thy Spirit to my heart,

And do a work within.

4. Be Thou the Guardian of my life,

Direct my ev’ry way;

I need a Guide and Counsellor,

Lest I should go astray.

5. And when my earthly journey ends,

And life on earth shall cease;

Conduct me safely to Thyself,

And everlasting peace.

Tune to "O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES" CM

JIM BYRD