In all your observations of Providence have special respect to that Word of God which is fulfilled and made good to you by them.

Flavel's point in this section is that the workings of Providence has a direct relation to the word of God. What God does in the world is a confirmation of what He has promised in His Word. This may sound a bit unreasonable, but when we see how Flavel extends his point, we come to understand. Flavel says that we can see the confirmation of the Word in either it's "threatening, caution, counsel or promise". Following this exhortation will not only confirm the truth of Scripture for us, but it will also, "direct and instruct us in our present duties under all providences". Our author then labors to bring various situations "under the Word".

• The Word says it's a good idea to keep close to its rules and duties. Does the experience of Providence not prove this point? Can we not see that following the rules and duties of the Word are for our benefit? Would the drunkard and adulterer not agree with this text after his life has come crashing down?
• The Word says that moving from integrity will not prosper you. "Did you ever leave the way of simplicity and integrity, and use sinful shifts to bring about your own designs, and prosper in that way"? Does it not always catch up with you? Even though it might seem to prosper for awhile, it will lead to greater judgment.
• The Word says it is better to trust in the Lord than people. Has there ever been a time in your life when trusting in a man was more profitable than trusting in the Lord? Has He let you down? Have you not seen it confirmed that when we take for ourselves idols our jealous God will show them for what they are?
• The Word assures us that sin is the cause for affliction and sorrow. As Flavel asks, "when did you grow into a secure, vain, carnal frame, but you found some rousing startling providence sent to awaken you? Flavel does give a disclaimer: "Nor, do I say that God follows every sin with a rod; for who then could stand before Him." But certainly, can we not see that sin carries with it consequences?
• The Word promises that God will never leave or forsake believers. Has He ever left you? Have you been forsaken? Can you think of any dear saint that has been left by God? There have been difficulties, but have you ever been utterly forsaken and left by God? Certainlty not.
• The Word of God claims to be the only relief and comfort in days of affliction. Do you see this confirmed in your life? Have you experienced that a Word from the Lord has carried more weight than a thousand others? Of you not seen that where nothing else could comfort you a precious Word of the Lord will quiet your soul?
• The Word says that giving our goods leads to blessing and withholding them is not wise. Can you testify to the blessing of God after your heart of giving? Certainly Flavel is not presenting here a prosperity gospel. His point is that the Word and Providence confirms that it is better to give.
• The Word says that to clear your conscience follow the way of the Lord. Do you know of a man whose conscience is not clear that is following all of the ways of the Lord? Do you not sleep easier after following His rules? Can you not see that if you follow the Lord it will lead to a clear conscience?

Flavel gives us but a sampling. Obviously, since the Word of God is fully true, and because every Word is profitiable, it is not surprising that this is the case. Therefore, the more we think and meditate upon the working of Providence on our lives the more we will confirm to ourselves the validity of the precious Word.

Return to The Mystery of Providence Chapter 9

Labor to get as full and thorough a recognition as you are able of the providences of God concerning you from first to last.

Flavel's argumentation is that if one working of Providence is exceedingly glorious, then how much more glorious is a stack of them. And we are encouraged in considering these things not to just skim the surface but to plum the depths of what God has done. As Flavel says, "do not let your thoughts swim like feathers upon the surface of the wters, but sink like lead to the bottom".

Under this point Flavel mentions several things that should be considered in this matter:

1. The seasonableness of mercy given to us (consider the phenomenal timing of the mercy)
2. The peculiar care and kindness of Providence to us (consider our exemption from what has happened to others)
3. What a providence introduces (consider that which a providence leads to)
4. The instruments employed by Providence (consider the means that God uses)
5. The design and scope of Providence (consider the aim and goal of Providence...Rom. 8:28)
6. The respect and relation Providence bears to our prayers (consider how our prayers have been answered by God)

What particular point to bring out is what Flavel says on #5. He notes that this is the most "warming and melting" of all considerations. To think that, "A thousand friendly hands are at work for [us], to promote and bring about [our] happiness." What a wonderful thought, and to think that this is confirmed in Scripture. You almost get the idea that Flavel was also a Christian Hedonist.

Return to The Mystery of Providence Chapter 9

Chapter 9 is one of the longest chapters in The Mystery of Providence. The major theme of this chapter is direction on meditating upon the Providence of God. Flavel will give 5 major headings of advice and then various pointers under each of these. The best way to outline this would be to give the 5 major headings and then expound a little upon each. To avoid a very lengthy post I will give the five headings and link to a page where you can read more on each point.

• Labor to get as full and thorough a recognition as you are able of the providences of God concerning you from first to last. Read more...
• In all your observations of Providence have special respect to that Word of God which is fulfilled and made good to you by them. Read more...
• In all your reviews and observations of Providence, be sure that you eye God as the author and orderer of them all. Read more...
• Work up your hearts to those frames, and exercise those affections which the particular providences of God that concern you call for. Read more...
• If Providence delays the performance of any mercy to you that you have long waited and prayed for, yet see that you do not despond, nor grow weary of waiting upon God for that reason. Read more...
• Do not pry too curiously into the secrets of Providence, nor allow your shallow reason arrogantly to judge and censure its designs. Read more...

Discussion:

Flavel's first point is an encouragement to keep a journal. One of the best ways to remember the workings of Providence is to look back over past journal entries. We are prone to forget prayers, and often those "little" things that are major workings of God in us.

Would it be a good practice to determine all of the promises of God and mark their fulfilment in your life?

There is no doubt that Flavel's statement on page 127 is true: "One of word of God can do more than ten thousand words of men to relieve a distressed soul." Yet, why is it that so often when I am distressed I turn to find comfort in people instead of quietly sitting under the Word? Certainly, the Lord speaks through people--but shouldn't our first instinct be to find comfort in our prayer closets?

Do our affections match that of God? This is Flavel's concern on page 132. Yet, is this such a thing that we could even attain to? Isn't the affection of God so diverse that no human can really even comprehend it? Certaintly, there is, though, something for us to learn from Flavel's exhortation.

Oh, what pity it is to be outside of saving grace! To think that even the difficult times of life are a sign of patient mercy and are far better than what you have awaiting. To the believer, difficult times are but a temporary affliction that will be cast of forever. To the unbeliever, difficult times are but a tempoprary mercy that will not last forever, and serves as more a preview of things to come. Oh, how sad, and how open our hearts should be to preach the gospel to every soul.

This statement greatly spoke to me: "Beware therefore you do not lean too much to your own reasonings and understandings. Nothing is more plausible, nothing is more dangerous."