Horatio Spafford was a very prominent,
successful businessman in Chicago, Illinois in the middle 1800s.
He was a man who had enjoyed a tremendous success. He was
a man of wealth and prosperity, well-known and very influential
in that huge city. But overnight, he lost almost
everything. The Chicago fire left him in
near financial ruin, and he decided to relocate his family to France. And at 2 o'clock in the morning,
he loaded his wife and four daughters onto a French luxury liner. It was supposed to have been
the largest, most luxurious, and safest in the world. He kissed
them goodbye, promising to meet them in France in just a few
weeks. Several days out of port, that luxurious ship, sailing
peacefully across the waters to France, was rammed by an English
ship. And it took the largest, safest,
most luxurious ship in the world two hours to sink to the bottom
of the ocean floor. 226 people died that day. including all four of Spafford's
daughters. Nine days later, when the survivors
arrived safely in Cardiff, Wales, he got a cable from his wife,
a very short, just two words, saved alone. He'd lost everything except he,
his wife, and his God. Soon he booked passage on a ship
to Europe On the way over, the captain called him to the bridge
one evening in the middle of December, a cold, cold night,
and said, Mr. Spafford, as near as I can tell,
this is where the ship with your daughters sank and your daughters
drowned. Spafford thanked him for calling
him to the bridge and bringing that to his attention. And he
went to his cabin and wrote these words, when peace, like a river,
attendeth my way when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever
my lot thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with
my soul." This man who had lost his business, his home, and his
children said to a friend, I'm glad I can trust the Lord
when it costs me something. His wife, when they met and finally
embraced after such a long separation, just a few weeks but so terribly
long with so much grief to bear, she said to her husband, we've
not lost our children. We're only separated for a little
while. How could this man and his wife face such tragedy with
such composure, such peace, such confidence? Only one answer can
be given. Horatio Spafford and his wife
believed God. They just believed God. They
were convinced in their hearts of that which is recorded in
our text, Romans chapter 8 and verse 28. We know. Sooner or later we're going to
find out whether or not we know this. We got it in our heads,
we got it fixed pretty good there, but we're going to find out whether
or not we know. We know that all things work together for
good. to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose. The knowledge, the real knowledge,
the heart knowledge and understanding of God's providence is the comfort
and strength of believing hearts in the midst of terrible trial,
temptation, and trouble in this world. Believers are sustained in the
midst of trouble because of God's providence. His promises would
be meaningless were it not for his providence. His word of assurance
would be meaningless were it not for a knowledge of his providence.
For unless God absolutely rules and absolutely controls everything
in the totality of the universe, his promises cannot be believed.
His word cannot be trusted. The only one who can be trusted
absolutely is an absolute sovereign, who is in absolute control of
all things. And believers trust God, our
father, God, our savior, God, the blessed spirit, as the absolute
sovereign of the universe. Now in this message this evening,
I want to show you three things with regard to God's adorable
providence. Listen carefully and follow me
in the Word of God, if you will. First, look in Romans chapter
11. Now, we've looked at this text
a number of times in the past several messages I've preached
here on various subjects, but I want you to look at it one
more time and here understand that God's providence is mysterious. Mysterious. His judgments are
a great deal. His ways are past finding out. Romans 11 and verse 33. The Apostle
Paul, I remind you again, is declaring to us how that God
has cast off the Jews and sent His Word to the Gentiles. He
cast off the natural branches to gather in chosen sinners from
among the Gentiles so that all Israel, that is all the host
of God's elect scattered through all the world, might be saved.
He sent blindness to one nation that he might send light to all
nations. He sent darkness to one nation that he might send
the light of the gospel to all nations. And the Apostle Paul
considers the wonder of God's providence in doing this, his
judgments that are in all the earth, as Mark just read. And
this is how he responds. Now, remember, he's talking about
God's providence, both in judgment and in grace. This man is writing
concerning a people for whom his heart broke, who were under
the judgment of God. Kith and kin, his own under the
judgment of God. And this is how he responds.
Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge
of God. How unsearchable are his judgments. and his ways past finding out. For who hath known the mind of
the Lord, or who hath been his counselor, or who hath first
given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again. For
of him, and through him, and to him are all things to whom
be glory forever. Now I can't begin to declare
to you that which I have already declared to be profoundly mysterious. But this much I know, and I want
you to know, God Almighty always has his way. Always. People talk about God wants and
God desires and God plans and God purposes, but God's will
in the minds of most people is frustrated, defeated most of
the time. It's kind of like our will. When most folks talk about God's
will, they just talk about what they think God wishes would happen.
The will of God is not a wish or a vain desire in the heart
of the Almighty. The will of God is that which
is brought to pass. Nothing in this universe has,
does now, or shall ever come to pass except that which is
brought to pass by God's sovereign providence according to God's
eternal purpose. Understand this as well. When
we declare that God always has his way, it must be acknowledged
that his ways are not our ways. You go through heartache, trouble,
trial, you would never choose it. Never. You'd never choose
the The pain that causes your heart to be wrung out before
God. You'd never choose the difficulty that causes your cheeks to burn
with tears. You'd never choose the peril,
the danger, the difficulties that you face that cause you
to be filled with fear. You'd never choose them. His
ways are not our ways. But His ways are always right
and always best. Have you got it? His ways are
always right and always best. Listen to this hymn. It expresses
what I want to preach to you and continually want to preach
to you better than I can. Isaac Watts wrote the hymn. Keep
silence all created things and wait your maker's nod. My soul
stands trembling while she sings the honors of her God. Life,
death, and hell, and worlds unknown hang on his firm decree. He sits
on no precarious throne, no borrows leave to be. Chained to his throne
of volume lies with all the fates of men, with every angel's form
and size drawn by the eternal pen. His providence unfolds the
book and makes his counsel shine. Each opening leaf and every stroke
fulfills some bright design. Here, he exalts neglected worms
to scepters and a crown. And then the following page he
turns and treads the monarch down. Not Gabriel asked the reason
why, nor God the reason gives. God teach me to quit asking why. teach me to quit asking why. Not Gabriel asked the reason
why, nor God the reason gives, nor does the favored angel pry
between the folded leaves. My God, I would not long to see
my fate with curious eyes, but gloomy lines are writ for me
of what bright scenes may rise. In thy fair book of life and
grace may I but find my name recorded by electing grace. beneath my Lord the Lamb. God's
providence is His sovereign rule of the universe for the salvation
of chosen sinners to the praise of the glory of His grace. Now,
when all is said and done, when you want to understand the mystery
of God's providence and you want to have some apprehension of
what God's doing in the universe in the midst of your trouble
and heartache and trial, understand this. God Almighty has chosen
a people whom He is determined to save. The Lord Jesus Christ
has redeemed those people by the shedding of His blood. He
has satisfied justice for them, and they must be saved. And God
Almighty is going to save them. He's going to save them, no matter
what it takes. Anybody stands in His way, He'll
bow them down. Anything stands in His way, He'll
mow it down. Any nation rises in His way,
He'll cast it down. God's going to save His elect.
If you're among His elect, I'm telling you now, He's going to
get you. One way or the other, He's going to get you. He's going
to get you. And it may cost you near everything but your soul,
but He's going to get you. You best bow to Him. Read the
107th Psalm and understand God's marvelous ways He causes men
to hunger so that they might cry out to Him. He causes men
to reel to and fro as a drunken man in the depths of the sea
so that they might cry out to Him. And as soon as He causes
men to cry out to Him, then He has mercy upon them and heals
them with His Word. Thank God for providence, deep,
mysterious, profound providence. Now, turn to Matthew chapter
10. Understand this second thing
about God's providence I Want us to read a couple of
lengthy passages in this context, but understand this God's providence
is minute What do you mean pastor I mean
God controls everything down to the most minute particles
of matter in the universe. Every atom in the universe, God
rules. Spurgeon said, I believe that
God Almighty has ordained the path of the water that beats
against the rocky shores when the storm of the sea causes the
sea to splash on the shore. God has ordained the path of
the various water drops. So too, he has. He rules everything. Look at Matthew 10, verse 30.
Our Lord Jesus is telling his disciples, now don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid of anything.
Don't let anything, anybody trouble you. And here's the basis upon
which he makes that admonition. The very hairs of your head are
all numbered. Even with me, that's a pretty
good job. And God is telling us Quite literally
this is how the text reads the very hairs of your head Have
been all at one time in eternity past Numbered by your father
who's in heaven? Brother Sammy just confessed
faith in Christ this past Lord's Day This is what the Son of God
saying to you. Here's the reason you're sitting
here and God's free grace tonight because God before the world
began counted the hairs on your head and predestined them exactly
according to his purpose That's my new detail That's minute care. Mamas and daddies sit around
their babies and cap their fingers and toes, just sit around, cap
their fingers and toes because they care for them. And they
do that just as an expression of love for that child who cannot
understand the expression of love. Hear the minute detail
of God's love, mercy and grace to you. The hairs, the very hairs
of your head, your heavenly father numbered from eternity. That
means that divine providence is all-inclusive. God Almighty
rules everything, great and small, everywhere and always. There's absolutely nothing in
the universe that has not been purposed by God and is not absolutely
ruled by our Heavenly Father. Turn to Psalm 115. Psalm 115. So many times in the book of
the psalms you read about God's providence in there There are
numerous passages I could look to but I want you to look at
this psalm and listen to what the psalmist says We'll not try
to read the whole psalm, but you follow along with me psalm
115 verse 1 Not unto us O Lord not unto us
But unto thy name give glory for thy mercy and thy truth's
sake verse 3 our God is is in the heavens. He hath done whatsoever
he hath pleased. Now David answers, gives that
statement in answer to a supposed question in verse 2. Wherefore
should the heathen say? You know, the heathen, they've
got their gods, they come in their pocket, have rabbit's foot
and crosses around their neck. They've got their God standing
outside their church buildings, and they've got their gods in
their woods, they've got their totem pole gods, they've got
their idols, they've got their gods who are meaningless. They
say, look here, here's my God, I can see Him, I can touch Him,
I can handle Him. Where's your God? Our God is
in the heavens. He hath done whatsoever He hath
pleased. Then verse 9, O Israel, trust
thou in the Lord. He is their help and their shield. Verse 12, the Lord, our God who's
in the heavens, He hath been mindful of us. And that fact
assures us, He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel.
He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear
the Lord, both small and great. Verse 15, you are blessed of
the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Now look at verse 17,
the dead praise not the Lord. I have looked at that text and
I've preached from it a number of times, and most of the commentaries
that I've read say that's referring to those who are dead in the
grave. I think not. It's referring to
those who are dead in their hearts and dead in their souls. The
dead, praise not the Lord. Neither they, any of they that
go down into silence. But we, we who are made to live
by God's grace, will in all things bless the Lord from this time
forth, even forevermore. Praise ye the Lord. Look in Psalm
135. Again, David is calling for us
to praise the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord. Praise
him, O ye servants of the Lord. And he says in verse four, here's
the reason. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob to himself, and
Israel for his peculiar pleasure. Now, this is what it's saying.
You men and women sitting here tonight, you who are God's Jacob's
and God's Israel, the Lord's chosen you, so praise him. The
Lord has elected you to salvation, so praise him. The Lord's chosen
you for his peculiar heritage, so praise him. Well, that's meaningless. Now listen to me. So what if
God chose me? So what if God said I will be
his God and he shall be my son? So what if God has determined
to save me by his grace unless he rules? I can't trust his choice
and I can't depend on his choice. And therefore the psalmist says,
for I know that the Lord is great, that our God is above all gods,
whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven. and in
earth, and in the seas, and in all deep places. And you read
the rest of the psalm, and you'll see how the psalmist speaks of
how God calls the vapors to ascend from the earth. He brings the
wind out of his treasures. He smote the firstborn in Egypt.
He sent tokens and wonders into Egypt. He smote great nations
and slew mighty kings. The name of the Lord endures
forever, and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations, because
He chose me. And he rules the universe for
me, for the glory of his name. Look at one more text, Ephesians
1 and verse 11. I want you to understand that
God's providence is both mysterious and minute. Apostle Paul is describing
for us all the blessings of God's grace that are given us in Christ
Jesus And now those blessings that are made manifest to us
in Christ in verse 11. He says in whom that is in Christ
We have obtained That is to say we have already gotten It's already
our possession. It's as surely ours as it is
the possession of Christ himself in whom our mediator by his merit
and his blood according to God's purpose we have obtained an inheritance
being predestinated according to the purpose of him. Look at
it now. His purpose, are you following what I'm saying? His
predestination and his purpose are meaningless unless he rules
everywhere to execute his purpose. who's predestinated all things
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after
the counsel of his own will. That means that our God is in
absolute control of all inanimate matter. In the beginning, God made the
heavens and the earth. How? He just did. He just willed it and it's done.
He said, let there be light. And there was light. He spoke
the world into being by His Son. The Lord God brings Israel out
of Egypt and He brings them to the Red Sea. And the Lord said,
stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. And He calls the
waters of the Red Sea by the blowing of the wind of His mouth. to stand up like a wall and his
children walked right through the Red Sea on dry ground. When
the children of Israel were about to enter the land of promise,
Joshua and the children of Israel marched through the Jordan River
as on dry ground. There was a crowd of people who
followed Korah in rebelling against God's prophet and in rebelling
against God. Rebelling against the worship
of God and the truth of God. And they said to Moses and Aaron,
you take too much on yourself. We're all prophets. We all know
God just like you do. You don't have any right to tell
us what God says. And Moses said, well, hang on.
Tomorrow, we'll see who is God's prophet. Tomorrow, we'll see
who speaks for God and who doesn't. And the Lord God caused the earth
to open up and swallowed the sons of Korah down into hell. So you believe that? Of course
I do. I believe God. Well, that's supernatural. It is for me, but not for God. That's something you can't explain.
Not based on me, based on God. It's easy to explain. He's God.
He who made the earth doesn't have any trouble splitting it.
He who made hell doesn't have any trouble opening it up. The
children of Israel, those three faithful men, Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, we kind of think about those Hebrews being young
boys. They weren't young boys, they
were grown men. The king came and said, are you
going to bow down and worship before my image? And they said,
we don't have to have business meeting on this. No, we're not
going to bow down and worship your image. And he cast them
into the fiery furnace. And they walked around in the
fiery furnace, the cords burned off of them, but they didn't
even have to smell a smoke on them. They were delivered out
of the fiery furnace because one walked with them who looked
to the King like the Son of God. And I expect that's who it was.
The Lord God has his way in the whirlwind, the clouds and the
dust of his feet. Our great God not only has absolute
control over all inanimate matter, He has absolute control over
all irrational creatures. Now, when we speak of irrational
creatures, usually we're talking about animals. I think most of
the time animals behave more rationally than men, but we're
talking about irrational creatures, we're talking about animals.
At God's will, at His will, flies and frogs and locusts simply
overwhelmed the whole land of Egypt. Just like that. At his
will they left. The Lord God tells us about a
whale specially prepared to swallow up his servant Jonah God sent
a great storm to the sea, and God prepared a great whale, and
the great whale swallowed up Jonah. And that whale carried
him exactly to the place where God had ordained for him to go,
as though he had booked passage on a freight liner, and it went
directly there! Because the whale obeys the will
of God, as does everything. Well, you can't really say everything,
oh yeah. for the good of God's elect.
There was one disciple who needed to hear from God, who needed
to hear from God in a special, distinct way, who needed to hear
from God and be reminded of his sin by a distinct act of providence
by which God would speak to him in such a way as he could not
possibly fail to understand. This is the finger and the voice
of God Almighty. For the Lord Jesus had said to
him, before the cock crows twice, you're going to deny me three
times. And at the appointed time, Peter heard that rooster crowing.
How come? Because God rules everything.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens, his kingdom ruleth
over all. More than that, our God and Heavenly
Father controls absolutely and totally all rational creatures
as well. He controls all men and women
everywhere, the good and the bad. He controls them in the
good they do and in the evil they perform. All angels and
all demons and Satan himself are under the absolute rule of
God Almighty. We have no trouble believing
that God controls good things and good people. But those are
not things that bother me. That's not the kind of stuff
that gives me trouble. I don't have any trouble understanding
that God calls some great thing to happen that blesses me and
comforts me and encourages me. That's no trouble. I have difficulty
recognizing that God Almighty controls those things that most
disturb my soul. That's why I have trouble. It's the bad stuff that bothers
me, and I expect it's the bad stuff that bothers you. I want
to know who's in control of wickedness. Who's in control of the murderer's
weapons? Who's in control of the rapist's lust? Who's in control
of the dictator's power? Who's in control? Whoever is
in control is God Almighty, and that's who I'll worship. The
scripture tells us plainly, the King's heart. in the hands of
the Lord, and like rivers of water he turneth it whithersoever
he will. Our God is in the heavens. He
hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. He rules everywhere
and in all things. Now listen carefully. Whoso is wise and will observe
these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness
of the Lord. Whoso is wise and will observe
these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness
of the Lord. Amen.