"But The LORD Reigns! Let The Earth Be Glad!"

'Chance' or 'blind fate'
(Samuel Davies, "Divine Government--the Joy of Our World")

"The LORD reigns! Let the earth be glad!" 
Psalm 97:1

We are exposed to numberless accidental 
and unforeseen dangers, which we can 
neither prevent nor counter. Sickness 
and death may proceed from a thousand 
unsuspected causes. 

Our friends, our estates, and, in short, 
all our earthly enjoyments--
may be torn from us by a variety 
of accidents. We walk, as it were, in 
the dark, and may tread on remediless 
dangers before we are aware. 

"But the LORD reigns! Let the earth be glad!" 

All contingent events are at HIS disposal 
and under HIS sovereign control. 
The smallest things are not beneath 
the notice of HIS providence, and 
the greatest are not above it! 

Those diseases and misfortunes which 
seem to happen 'by chance'--
are commissioned by the LORD of all! 

And those which result evidently 
from 'natural causes'--
are sent by HIS Almighty will. 
HE says to one, "Go!" and it goes; 
and to another,"Come!" and it comes! 

HE orders the devastations that are 
made by the most raging elements! 

If flames lay our houses in ashes--
they are kindled by HIS breath! 

If hurricanes sweep through our land, 
and carry desolation along with them--
they but perform HIS sovereign will, 
and can do nothing beyond it!

HIS hand hurls the lightning bolt, 
and directs it where to strike! 

An arrow or a bullet shot at a 
venture in the heat of battle--
is carried to its mark by 
divine direction!

How wretched a world would this be--
were it not under the wise management 
of divine Providence! 

If 'chance' or 'blind fate' were its rulers--
what desolation would crowd upon 
us every moment! 

We would soon be crushed 
in the ruins of a fallen world. 
Every wind that blows--
might blast us with death! 

And fire and water would mingle 
in a blended chaos, and bury us 
in their destruction!

But so extensive is the care of Providence, 
that even the sparrows may find safety in it! 

And we cannot lose so much as a hair 
of our heads, without GOD'S permission! 
Matthew 10:29-31. 

And how much more then, are we 
HIS redeemed children under HIS 
loving guardianship and direction!

   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

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