The Ways of Providence - Christadelphian Studies

ig2 THE WAYS OF PROVIDENCE.
we are able to bear, but will with the temptation also
provide a way of escape that we may be able to bear it.''—
(I. Cor. x. 13.) This lesson is conveyed to us, not only
in the form of express declaration, but in the form of
illustration in many signal instances. Joseph and Moses
have been before us as signal examples : now it is David.
What we have to realize in his case is, that it was of
God that he was suddenly driven from a position of
honour and comfort while yet a very young man, and
sent out among the rigours of an outlawed life, for the
perfecting of his character, for his preparation for the
unbounded exaltation and blessedness that awaited him
as a victorious wearer of Israel's crown. Yet though of
God, it was brought about in a perfectly natural way.
This is the point of the case. Saul became jealous of
him ; and after intriguing against him, threw off the
mask and gave open effect to his enmity, and compelled
David to flee for his life, and remain in concealment
among the mountains.
The lesson is obvious (and the study of scriptural
matters is vain if it bring not with it a lesson that is
" good and profitable unto men ") : our troubles may
come about in a perfectly natural way, and yet may be of
God who knows how to regulate human speech and
action (without interfering with human will), as to bring
about results that shall be His own contrivance, while
apparently the issue of human purpose merely. In this
there is comfort for all who may be in distress, who fear
God and do His commandments. There is no more
important discernment of the ways of providence than this.