God’s Best
Earlier this evening, I felt a bit discouraged about a particular circumstance in my life that I considered to be less than ideal. But God, in His goodness, encouraged me through a friend and reminded me of a wonderful quote by Charles Spurgeon. I decided to google the quote, hoping I’ll be able to read more on this subject and see the greater context. If I were to sum up the quote in one sentence: “Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there.”
How comforting! How encouraging!
Besides this, I’m reminded that God has given me so much blessings in life. He’s given me so much that I don’t deserve, and He’s spared me from the things I do deserve. He’s pardoned my sins when I deserved His just wrath. And He gives me the eternal blessing of heaven when I deserved hell. Since He has taken care of the biggest problems in my life, could He not take care of smaller problems? Absolutely!
Through our finite perspective, there may have been times when we feel like it would’ve been better for us to be in another circumstance than we are in, or maybe to have been taught or exposed under godly teaching earlier, or _______ (fill in the blank); yet in God’s infinite wisdom He knows what is best. He is never too late. His timing is perfect. Never one second too early, nor one second too late. It happens exactly when He wants and appoints it to happen. It would be utterly foolish for me to think that I know better. No one can improve God’s plan, for He “causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, emphasis mine). We often see things from a temporal perspective; yet as the eternal Creator, God sees the beginning to the end. He is in control.
Everything God does is right, holy, and just. In His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, whatever lot God places me in life is the most suitable for me—not only for the purpose of molding me into the person He wants me to be but, more importantly, to display His trophies of grace by showing what He can accomplish through (or despite!) imperfect means, sinners, and less-than-ideal circumstances, so that it brings Him the most glory.
The following is the portion written by our beloved “Prince of Preachers,” Charles Spurgeon, that was used by God to encourage, comfort, and remind me of His goodness and sovereignty this evening (excerpted from Spurgeon’s Evening by Evening; Or, Readings at Eventide for the Family or the Closet - Page 318):
Believer, if your inheritance be a lowly one, you should be satisfied with your earthly portion; for you may rest assured that it is the fittest for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, 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 sand-bank; should some one 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 should not get my vessel into harbor at all if I did not keep to the deep channel.” So, it may be, 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 but little; you are put there by the loving Husbandman, because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto 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 lot, you would soon cry, “Lord, choose my inheritance for me, for by my self-will I am pierced through with many sorrows.” Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered 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. Down, busy self and proud impatience; it is not for you to choose, but for the Lord of Love!
“He shall choose our inheritance for us.” — Psalm 47:4
“Trials must and will befall —
But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all,
This is happiness to me.”
February 24th, 2008 at 7:00 pm | Permalink
Great thoughts, Jess. It’s simply amazing how, even as redeemed Children of God, our hearts can stir up dissatisfaction within us. It’s absolutely baffling how we can acknowledge that the Holy God of all Creation imputed Christ’s righteousness to us, as Christ took our wickedness upon the Cross, and yet we still find something to complain about.
I am reminded of Job who, though he was heavily afflicted by God, and this as a righteous man, nonetheless acknowledged God’s right to do as He saw fit: The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. May we all, as God’s children, find our only contentedness in that steadfast anchor, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my Rock, in Whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
–Psalm 18:2 (paraphrased from memory)
February 25th, 2008 at 6:58 pm | Permalink
Hey Jessica, your post really applies to the way I’ve been feeling the past few days and I definitely appreciated your insights and the quote from Charles Spurgeon. If I may, I just wanted to post the words to a familiar song by William Cowper that I think applies:
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:48 pm | Permalink
Thank you Jessica, for such a timely and poignant reminder. I love how Spurgeon is a pastor to my heart. Thanks for sharing.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:58 pm | Permalink
Thanks Jess
February 25th, 2008 at 11:40 pm | Permalink
Hi, Ruth!
So glad to hear from you! Hope all is well on your side. Thanks for your comment. Spurgeon has ministered to my heart many times, too, through his sermons. He just has so much wisdom in his words.
Thanks again for dropping by. I hope that you’re having a wonderful week so far!
February 25th, 2008 at 11:50 pm | Permalink
Jeff, thanks so much for taking the time to share those words in William Cowper’s song. They’re wonderful, and I really appreciate it. I think it’s great how some people have a gift in translating good theology into beautiful lyrics & songs like that. Thanks again!
Josh wrote:
Hi Josh, that’s one of my favorite passages in the Bible.
It always does me good to read or hear it each time.
Michael wrote:
Hi Michael, I’m glad it could be edifying.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:50 am | Permalink
Thanks, Jess. I’m in the same type of trying situation. I needed to hear this. God bless.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:34 am | Permalink
Hey Jessica,
Isn’t it great to know that during our times of discouragement and despair that our God is there to comfort us. I think of Paul and Silas being in the Philippian jail. Though their situation must have been very discouraging and having the potential of great despair, they looked beyond their circumstances and rejoiced in God by praying and singing hymns to Him for they understood that God alone set the boundaries of their habitation. For in His sovereignty and providence that moment called for them to be in the stocks at the bottom of a Philippian jail. Thus no matter what has caused you discouragement and despair dear child of the King, rejoice for He alone is your hope both in and from this world. Know He alone through His providence has led you to that circumstance (as well as others in the future) for the purpose of bringing glory to His name through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings …
Psalm 124:8
March 1st, 2008 at 11:47 pm | Permalink
Jared wrote:
Hi Jared, I’m glad that God could somehow use my humble post to encourage you. Praise be to Him! That’s so encouraging.
Pastor Bruce wrote:
Yes, that was indeed the case with me.
Thanks so much for your words, Pastor Bruce.
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:08 am | Permalink
Hi Jess, it’s been weeks since we last talked
Some will say that life is about turning wheel going ups and downs and we will all have our shares. Some will also say that it’s about hills and valleys taking turns from time to time.
But somehow, I have to agree with Rick Warren when he said that joy and pain in our earthly life aren’t like those hills and valleys, but more like a railway road, pairing together all time (gee, wish I can better say these in English!).
As much as there’s joy in many dimensions of our life there will always be pain in some other, vice versa… That will keep reminding us of heaven, that will keep our eyes focus on Him
Anyway, only His child that is disciplined and corrected (if that was ever the case), every discouragement will not go in vain 
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm | Permalink
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Grace, thanks for the reminder.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
A reminder is on my blog… Shepherds’ Conference is this week!
I’m sorry I haven’t been online. My computer has crashed some 3 times this semester, and I keep having to load literally everything back onto it.
I hope you’re doing well, despite whatever discouragements have come along. You’re a great friend and encouragement to many people, as is obvious from the comments section of your blog.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:37 am | Permalink
Jessi, I just LOVE the Spurgeon’s Pulpit photo you have under your iPod sidebar thingie!
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 am | Permalink
Jessie, allow me to share this bamboo story, which very possible is one you’ve once read before = ) Sorry if it’s too long. I will write to you, soon. Just too tired today so I gave this article first =)
One day I decided to quit. My job, my relationship, my spirituality… my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
“God,” I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised me.
“Look around,” He said.
“Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
“In the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. You see, I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle,” He said.
He then asked me, “Did you know, My child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others,” He said.
“The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come,” God said to me.
“You will rise high.”
“How high should I rise?” I asked.
“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.
“As high as I can?” I questioned.
“Yes,” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”
March 30th, 2008 at 11:30 am | Permalink
Thank you for your words. I am in situation which I asked to be in but it is difficult since I am in an enclosed and very cut off community and have found no other believers (well dedicated one anyway). I am working in Antarctica which is a fantastic experience but having no other chosen around I get a little discouraged at time.
Thanks!