Sweet Will Be the Flower

I received the following note from one of the ministers at my church and want to share it here. These are very sobering words which ring crystal clear to all who have undergone such "frowning providences."

Jason, thank you for this.

It reminds me of a passage in Spurgeon's An All-Round Ministry, where he writes, "If some men, that I know of, could only be favored with a month of rheumatism, it would, by God's grace, mellow them marvellously...I would not wish for any man a long time of sickness and pain; but a twist now and then one might almost ask for him. A sick wife, a newly-made grave, poverty, slander, sinking of spirit, might teach lessons nowhere else to be learned so well. Trials drive us to the realities of religion."

Michael

Here's William Cowper's meditation upon this same theme which is one of my favorite hymns.

Light Shining Out of Darkness

William Cowper (1731–1800)

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.

Sweet Will Be the Flower

The Lord Will Provide | John Newton (Olney Hymns)

The church we have been attending for the past month or so is in the midst of a Bible Conference. The theme is "Grace Abounding," and both sermons today by Dr. Benton were a blessing. This evening's message was based upon John 16:33,

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)

The logic of Jesus' argument, Dr. Benton explained, is that:

A) If the world is the source of our trouble (i.e. accident, adversity, and anxiety), and
B) Jesus has already overcome the world, then
C) In Christ there are no such things as accidents, adversities, and anxieties.

God's providence is at work in all incidents ("In God's world there are no 'What if's'.").
Yes, we have an Adversary, but he can not destroy us.
We have no Gospel-reason for being anxious.

We closed with the following hymn found in Olney Hymns. It seemed to fit the theme of the message very well.

Hymn 7
John Newton
10,10,11,11
The LORD will provide.

Though troubles assail
And dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail
And foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us,
Whatever betide,
The scripture assures us,
The Lord will provide.

The birds without barn
Or storehouse are fed,
From them let us learn
To trust for our bread:
His saints, what is fitting,
Shall ne’er he denied,
So long as ’tis written,
The Lord will provide.

We may, like the ships,
By tempest be tossed
On perilous deeps,
But cannot be lost.
Though Satan enrages
The wind and the tide,
The promise engages,
The Lord will provide.

His call we obey
Like Abram of old,
Not knowing our way,
But faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers
We have a good Guide,
And trust in all dangers,
The Lord will provide.

When Satan appears
To stop up our path,
And fill us with fears,
We triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us,
Though oft he has tried,
This heart–cheering promise,
The Lord will provide.

He tells us we’re weak,
Our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek
We ne’er shall obtain,
But when such suggestions
Our spirits have plied,
This answers all questions,
The Lord will provide.

No strength of our own,
Or goodness we claim,
Yet since we have known
The Savior’s great name;
In this our strong tower
For safety we hide,
The Lord is our power,
The Lord will provide.

When life sinks apace
And death is in view,
This word of his grace
Shall comfort us through:
No fearing or doubting
With Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting,
The Lord will provide.

This hymn is coupled with William Cowper's Jehovah-Jireh, The LORD will provide (Hymn 6) based upon Genesis 22:14. This particular hymns concludes with the following two stanzas:

Blest proofs of pow’r and grace divine,

That meet us in his word!

May every deep–felt care of mine

Be trusted with the Lord.

Wait for his seasonable aid,

And though it tarry wait:

The promise may be long–delayed,

But cannot come too late.

The Lord Will Provide | John Newton (Olney Hymns)

How Welcome is the Day of Rest!

The Lord's Day
by John Newton

How welcome to the saints, when pressed
With six days noise, and care, and toil,
Is the returning day of rest,
Which hides them from the world awhile?

Now, from the throng withdrawn away,
They seem to breathe a different air;
Composed and softened by the day,
All things another aspect wear.

How happy if their lot is cast,
Where statedly the gospel sounds
The word is honey to their taste,
Renews their strength, and heals their wounds!

Though pinched with poverty at home,
With sharp afflictions daily fed;
It makes amends, if they can come
To GOD'S own house for heav'nly bread!

With joy they hasten to the place,
Where they their Savior oft have met;
And while they feast upon his grace,
Their burdens and their griefs forget.

This favored lot, my friends, is ours,
May we the privilege improve;
And find these consecrated hours,
Sweet earnests of the joys above!

We thank thee for thy day, O Lord,
Here we thy promised presence seek;
Open thine hand, with blessings stored,
And give us Manna for the week.

~from Olney Hymns, published this day in 1779

How Welcome is the Day of Rest!

“A Wretch Like Me”—John Newton (July 24, 1725-Dec. 20, 1807)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

The author of these well-known words was born 282 years ago today. This year is significant as it also marks the 200^th anniversary of Newton’s death (Dec. 20; Dec. 21 according to Wikipedia).

John Newton was born in London, England to a shipmaster and a devout Christian mother, who brought him up in the nonconformist tradition. Newton’s mother, Elizabeth, died when John was 6 or 7 years old, after which he went to boarding school for two years. Having learned the basics of Latin, John then joined his father for several sea voyages before being pressed into service in the British Navy. Attempting to desert, John was captured and reduced in rank to a common seaman. At his request he was transferred to a slave ship going to Africa. There he actually became a slave to a woman who treated him harshly until he was rescued by a sea captain who was a friend of his father’s.

Newton learned the ways of the godless while at sea. Apparently forsaking the training of his youth, he outdid many of his contemporaries in blasphemy and other forms of sin. Returning to England from Africa, his ship encountered a violent storm, which damaged the ship and threatened their lives. This was when John Newton began to think about God and prayed for mercy. Back in England John began to read the Bible and Christian literature; he also avoided sins he was previously known for but still participated in the slave trade for a few more years. While commanding a slave ship in West Africa, sick with a fever and realizing his spiritual deficiencies, John Newton finally cast himself on the mercy of God and put his trust in Jesus Christ. The one who was lost was now found.

John left seafaring and the slave trade and took work at the port of Liverpool, studying Hebrew and Greek in his spare time. He also enjoyed fellowship with John Wesley and George Whitefield and became a lay preacher himself. He applied to the ministry of the Church of England and was accepted several years later. Newton ministered in Olney for several years before going to St. Mary Woolnoth Church in London. As a pastor and author Newton became very popular, his churches growing under his leadership. His friendship with poet William Cowper no doubt inspired Newton’s own literary gifts, and he became a noted hymnist as well. Many of Newton’s books continue to be reprinted today, along with his collected Works.

In his later ministry Newton’s influence on William Wilberforce helped to end the slave trade. God had been working in the younger man’s heart, and it was through Newton’s ministry that Wilberforce was brought to full faith in Christ. Wilberforce, a Member of Parliament, fought long and fierce opposition to end a godless practice. Newton, the former slave-trader, joined the campaign and fought on Christian principles to end the trade. Newton lived to see the victory on Feb. 23, 1807.

John Newton is best known today as the author of “Amazing Grace;” however, many of his books continue to keep his memory alive. Books of note include Out of the Depths, his autobiography. He is also famous in Christian circles for his Letters and Cardiphonia: or the Utterance of the Heart. Newton collaborated with William Cowper on a hymnal called Olney Hymns, which is available as a download and as a book from the Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney. I recommend visiting the museum website. It has much to offer.

John Newton’s legacy shows that anyone who comes to God through faith in His Son will find full pardon and redemption. Newton stands as an example along with the Apostle Paul:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17 NASB)

“A Wretch Like Me”—John Newton (July 24, 1725-Dec. 20, 1807)

For a Closer Walk with God

William Cowper penned the words to the following hymn which has been the theme of the Whetstone Conference 2007.

O for a closer walk with God,

A calm and heav’nly frame,

A light to shine upon the road

That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew

When first I saw the Lord?

Where is the soul refreshing view

Of Jesus and His word?

The dearest idol I have known,

Whate’er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from Thy throne,

And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,

Calm and serene my frame;

So purer light shall mark the road

That leads me to the Lamb.

I’ve looked forward to this conference for about four years (since the last one). My eager expectations have not been let down. Praise the Lord! We have been enjoying some of the finest sermons and lectures on communion with God. I say “finest,” not because the speakers are world renown, but because they are humble, “unprofitable” servants exalting their Savior who is worthy of all praise.

The graphics for the conference banner and literature consist of a peaceful view of John Wesley’s prayer room. This particular room was set aside by Wesley when he purchased this home at the age of seventy-eight for a place to spend quality time communing with his God. This has served as an appropriate reminder of our need for secret communion with God.

I knew that Wesley was born in June in the year 1703 but I had been confused as to the actual date. Some sources site the 17^th, and others site the 28^th. I just learned that the difference is in the calendar used. According to the ‘old style’ calendar, prior to 1752, the date was June 17. According to the ‘new style’ calendar, after 1752, the date is June 28. So, it was neat, for me, to see a connection with John Wesley and the timing of this conference.

I wish that all of you could be here this week. We have truly been blessed by the Lord. Tim and I hope to give more information on the conference lectures over the next week or so.

For a Closer Walk with God