Providential Overruling

My soul! be still! thou art in the hands of thy Covenant God.  Were these strange vicissitudes in thy history the result of accident, or chance, thou mightest well be overwhelmed; but "all things," and this thing (be what it may) which may be now disquieting thee, is one of these "all things" that are so working mysteriously for thy good.  Trust thy God!  He will not deceive thee, - thy interests are with Him in safe custody.  When sight says, "All these things are against me," let faith rebuke thy hasty conclusion and say, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"  How often does God hedge up our way with thorns to elicit simple trust!  How seldom can we see all things so working for our good!  But it is better discipline to believe it.  Oh! for faith amid frowning providences to say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!"  Blessed Jesus! to thee are committed the reins of this universal empire.  The same hand that was once nailed to the cross, is now wielding the sceptre on the throne, - "all power given unto thee in heaven and in earth."  How can I doubt the wisdom, and faithfulness, and love, of the most mysterious earthly dealing, whenI know the Roll of Providence is thus in the hands of Him who has given the mightiest pledge Omnipotence could give of His tender interest in my soul's well-being by giving Himself for me?

---The Faithful Promiser, John Ross Macduff