To be quite honest, I have been struggling recently. The main of it comes from being anxious over 'secondary causes.' A Buddhist sect which is known for it's strong opposition to Christianity, is putting up a fancy edifice in our area of town. We are loosing English students, our 'primary' source of income. We are getting very little real assistance from Japanese Christians. We have had misunderstandings with a people that are very dear to us. I feel at times an object of strong 'hatred' in our town.
I read this recently, however. "The secret of Hudson Taylor's rest of heart amid tempests of hate was his refusal to look a second causes... He believed it was with God, and God alone, he had to do." (Green Leaf in Draught-Time) *Hudson Taylor was a key human ingredient in the calling and support of thousands of missionaries to China.
I pray the Psalms almost daily and I noticed these and similar words repeated through out the Psalms. Psalm 44:11, "
You have made us like sheep for slaughter
and have scattered us among the nations." Also, Psalm 33:10, "
The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples."
John Piper writes, "From the smallest thing to the greatest thing, good and evil, happy and sad, pagan and Christian, pain and pleasure - God governs them all for his wise and just and good purposes."
John Piper points out that "Job did not get comfort from looking at secondary causes. He got comfort from looking at the ultimate cause." Job 2:10,"Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”
In the center of the circle
Of the will of God I stand,
There can be no second causes,
All must come from His dear hand,
When dark clouds obscure my vision,
And the way I may not see,
I will trust Him in the darkness
For I know He pilots me.
Arthur Mathews
Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
I refuse to look at secondary causes, whether they be people or circumstances, but I in faith look to Him who is both sovereign and good, He who in amazing love sovereignly sent His Son to die, rise, and reign even for a sinner like me.
The Lord will have His way in this town, and beyond. I will love Him who loves me so. I will love my 'enemies' and, if He wills, I will continue to sow the gospel seed here.
