Self-Resignation

    Self-resignation is our patient bearing of whatever God is pleased to do with us, with silence and submission. For that reason especially, because it is his will and pleasure that it should be so: "And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done."

    There is patience in it. And "we have need of patience"—all of us, though some more than others. Patience is a bearing grace. It is the back, the shoulders of the new man.

    There is quietness in it. Inward and outward. Our judgments must stoop. We must be satisfied in our minds and consciences, that what is, is by the will of God. Not a chance, but a providence. The hand of God was in it. It is the fulfilling of the counsel of his will. Therefore good; all good. Nothing can come from him who is good, absolutely and truly good, but what is really and truly good. To this our wills must bow and bend. It is against the grain, but it must be, Luke ix. 23.

    There is silence in it.—Within. The heart, the soul, the inward man silent. Silent from all secret murmurings, repinings, complainings, objections, contradictions, swellings, tumults. There may be much of such unquietness, and yet nothing appear; like fire pent up: "The foolishness of man perverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the Lord." God sees this "foolishness," and we should carefully watch against it.-—Without. The tongue quiet, from unfitting speeches either of God or instruments. We say losers may have leave to speak, but then they must take heed what they say: "I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it." "I will keep my mouth with a bridle."

    Now this patience, submission, silence, has respect to the will of God. Other things may be thought of in a second place; but this is the main: "Because thou didst it." "It is the Lord." "The will of the Lord." We should say, What pleases God pleases me. As in active obedience we do duty, because it is his will to command; so in passive obedience we bear, because it is his will to inflict.