"GOD Causes All Things To Work Together For Good To Those Who Love GOD."

Comfort for Suffering Saints!
(Jerome Zanchius, 1516-1590)

"And we know that GOD causes all things 
to work together for good to those who love GOD, 
to those who are called according to HIS purpose. 
For those whom HE foreknew, HE also predestined 
to become conformed to the image of HIS SON!" 
Romans 8:28-29

The sovereignty of GOD is a comfort for 

suffering saints, acting to remove anxiety. 

How sweet must the following considerations 

be to a distressed believer!

1. There most certainly exists an 

Almighty, All-wise and infinitely 

Gracious GOD  (Hebrews 11:6).

2. HIS love for HIS elect people is 

immutable; HE never repents of it nor 

withdraws it. (Jeremiah 31:3).

3. Whatever comes to pass in time, 

is the result of HIS sovereign will 

from everlasting (1 Corinthians 8:6).

4. Consequently my afflictions are a part 

of HIS sovereign will, and are all ordered 

in number, weight, and measure (Psalm 22:24).

5. The very hairs of my head (every one) 

are counted by HIM; nor can a single hair 

fall to the ground but in consequence of HIS 

wise determination (Luke 12:7).

6. Hence my afflictions and distresses 

are not the result of chance, accident, or 

a fortuitous combination of circumstances 

(Psalm 56:8).

7. They are the providential accomplishment 

of GOD'S eternal purpose (Romans 8:28), 

and are designed to answer some wise and 

gracious ends (James 5:10-11).

8. Nor shall my affliction continue a moment 

longer than God sees fit (2 Corinthians 7:6-7).

9. HE who brought the affliction to me--

has promised to support me under it and 

to carry me through it (Psalm 34:15-17).

10. All shall, most assuredly, work 

together for HIS glory and my good.

11. Therefore, 

"Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering  
the FATHER has given me?" (John 18:11).

However keenly afflictions might 
wound us on their first access--

yet, under the impression of such 

animating views, we should quickly 

come to ourselves again, and the arrows 

of affliction, would, in great measure lose 

their sharpness.

Christians need nothing but absolute 

resignation to GOD'S wise and gracious 

Providence, to render them perfectly 

happy in every possible circumstance. 

And absolute resignation can only flow 

from an absolute belief of, and an absolute 

acquiescence in, GOD'S absolute Providence, 

founded on HIS absolute predestination 

(1 Thessalonians 1:2-4).

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's practical two page article, 
"Can We Learn to be Contented?"