"Shall We Accept Good From GOD, And Not Trouble?"

Don't bite the stick!

(Charles Spurgeon, "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883)

"As children will thank the tailor, and 

think they owe their new clothes to him 

rather than to their parent's bounty--

so we often look to the instrument of 

blessing, and thank that instead of GOD."

Second causes must never be made 

to stand before the First Cause. 

Friends and helpers are all very 

well as servants of our FATHER--

but our Father must have all our praise.

There is a similar evil in the matter 

of trials and afflictions. We are apt to be 

angry with the instrument of our affliction--

instead of seeing the hand of GOD over all, 

and meekly bowing before it.

It was a great help to David 

in bearing with the railing Shimei--

when he saw that GOD had appointed 

this provocation as a chastisement. 

He would not allow his hasty captains 

to take the scoffer's head, but meekly said, 

"Let him alone, and let him curse, 
for the LORD has bidden him."
(2 Samuel 16:11d)

When a dog is struck--

he will bite the stick! 

If he were wise, he would observe that 

the stick only moves as the hand directs it. 

Just so, when we discern GOD in our 

tribulations, we are helped to be quiet 

and endure with patience.

Let us not act like silly children, but 

trace matters to their fountain-head, 

and act accordingly. May the SpIRIT 

of wisdom make us understand.

"HE is the LORD; let HIM do what 
is good in His eyes." 1 Samuel 3:18

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, 

and naked I will depart. The LORD gave 

and the LORD has taken away--

may the name of the LORD be praised." 

Job 1:21

"Shall we accept good from GOD, 
and not trouble?" Job 2:10

"When times are good, be happy; but 
when times are bad, consider: GOD 
has made the one as well as the other." 
Ecclesiastes 7:14  

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GraceGems has published William Nicholson's insightful short article,
 "The Gift of Christ!"