Do you look too much on outward appearances? Spurgeon encourages us to remember that our “direst calamity” is our “greatest mercy.” Hear Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s words from 1878.
“We ought to learn, again, that there is no depending on appearances. Have you not found out, as far as you have now gone, that the direst calamity that ever overtook you was your greatest mercy? And have you not found that what you thought would have been a choice blessing would really have been a terrible danger to you if it had been bestowed? You have judged the Lord by the outward manifestation of his providence according to your folly; have you not now learned to believe in his tried fidelity, and to trust him at all times, let him do what he may? In this, age should instruct us. We ought not to be afraid because the day is cloudy, but remember that if there were no clouds there would be no rain and if no rain, no harvests. Surely it is time that we had done judging each inch of time by itself, and began to see things upon a broader scale. We should neither be too much depressed nor too exultant, because of our immediate present condition, if we knew that things are not what they seem.”
Ray Rhodes, Jr. is author of Yours, till Heaven; the Untold Love Story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon and Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, both from Moody Publishers. He is presently working on a full biography of Charles Spurgeon for Broadman and Holman Academic Publishers. Contact Ray here to schedule speaking engagements. Follow his Spurgeon pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.