Evening, November 11, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“He chooses our inheritance for us.” — Psalm 47:4

Believer, if your inheritance — the role you find in life — is a humble one, you should be satisfied with your earthly part; for you may rest assured that it is the best fit for you. Unerring wisdom planned your destiny, and selected for you the safest and best condition. A ship of large tonnage is to be brought up the river; now, in one part of the stream there is a sandbank; should someone ask, “Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much from a straight line?” His answer would be, “Because I would not get my vessel into harbor at all if I did not steer to the deep channel.” So, it may be that you would run aground and suffer shipwreck, if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction, where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession.

Some plants die if they have too much sunshine. It may be that you are planted where you get just a little; you are put there by the loving Gardener, because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit reaching perfection. Remember this: Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances, and if you had the choosing of your destiny, you would soon cry, “Lord, choose my inheritance for me, for through my own guidance I am distressed with many sorrowful things.” Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has structured all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder, and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God. Subdue your busy self, and your proud impatience; it is not for you to choose, but for the Lord of Love!

“Trials must and will befall–

But with humble faith to see

Love inscribed upon them all;

This is happiness to me.”