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

It pleases GOD to send it, and 
whatever pleases HIM pleases me
(Thomas Guthrie, "CHRIST and the Inheritance of the Saints" 1858)

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
 and there are no grapes on the vines;
 even though the olive crop fails,
 and the fields lie empty and barren;
 even though the flocks die in the fields,
 and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD! 
I will be joyful in the GOD of my 
salvation!" Habakkuk 3:17-18 

What should hinder him who sees GOD 
as his heavenly FATHER, and believes that 
all events proceed from HIS hand, and 
are managed by HIS wisdom, and 
are prompted by HIS love--
from kissing the rod, and saying, 

"My FATHER, not my will, but may 
YOUR will be done."  (Luke 22:42)

I say, what should hinder him from 
taking the agonizing cup and draining 
it to the bitterest dregs. 

We have perfect confidence in GOD'S 
wisdom and in HIS love. We only do HIM 
the justice which we would expect from 
our own children, when we believe that HE 
does not afflict us willingly, nor unnecessarily 
grieve HIS redeemed children, nor ever 
chastens us but in love.

HIS was a noble saying who, when his crops 
were rotting in flooded fields, and poverty 
stared at him from the scowling heavens, 
and other men cursed the weather; 
on being asked his reason for saying 
that it pleased him, replied, "It pleases 
GOD to send it, and whatever pleases 
HIM pleases me." We are ready to envy 
a man whose faith could triumph 
over such great misfortunes. 

Yet why should we not lie as calmly 
in the arms of GOD'S providence, 
as we lay in infancy on our 
mother's bosom? 

Having an ever-living, an ever-lasting, 
an ever-loving father in GOD--
how may we welcome all of HIS 
providences!

Drawing some good from every evil, 
as the bee extracts honey even 
from poisoned flowers--
how may we say, 

"Our light affliction, which is but for 
a moment, works for us a far more 
exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" 
(2 Corinthians 4:17)

Sweetly submissive to the will of GOD, 
shall it not fare with us as with the pliant 
reeds that fringe the margin of the lake, 
and bending to the blast, not resisting it--
raise their heads anew, unharmed by 
the storm that has snapped the mountain 
pine, and rent the hearts of oaks asunder?

"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 

"Even if HE slays me, I will hope 
in HIM" Job 13:15 
"HE is the LORD; let HIM do what 
is good in HIS eyes." 1 Samuel 3:18 
"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 
"My FATHER, if it is possible, may this 
cup be taken from ME. Yet not as I will, 
but as YOU will." Matthew 26:39 

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Arthur Pink, "The Attributes of God"
Chapter 16. The LOVE of God