God's Providence (2)

Though man has a freedom in working, and of all men the hearts of kings are most free, yet even these are guided by an overruling power (Prov. 21:1), as the rivers of water are carried in their channels wherever skilful men divert them.
There is nothing so high, that is above his providence; nothing so low, that is beneath it; nothing so large, but is bounded by it; nothing so confused, but God can order it; nothing so bad, but he can draw good out of it; nothing so wisely plotted, but God can disappoint it; nothing so simply and poorly carried out, but he can give a prevailing success to it; nothing so natural, but he can suspend it in regard of operation, as heavy bodies from sinking and fire from burning.
It cannot but bring strong security to the soul, to know that in all variety of changes and intertwining of good and bad events, our God has a disposing hand. Whatsoever befalls us, all serves to bring God's electing love, and our glorification. God's providence serves his purpose to save us. All sufferings, all blessings, all graces, all common gifts, nay, our very falls, yea, Satan himself with all his instruments, as over-mastered, and ruled by God, have this injunction upon them, to further God's good intentions to us, and a prohibition to do us harm. Augustus taxed the world for civil ends, but God's providence used this as a means for Christ to be born at Bethlehem (Luke 2:4). Xerxes could not sleep and calls for the chronicles, the reading of which occasioned the deliverance of the Jews (Esth. 6:1). God often disposes little occasions to great purposes. Proud men have tried to withstand God's counsels, but they actually fulfilled them, as we see in the stories of Joseph and Moses and those who sought to harm them.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, pp. 205-07
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