“HE GIVETH QUIETNESS.”
WHEN he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?’ And who but he, the ‘God of all comfort,’ can give quietness in
the midst of tumults which rise upon the soul like sudden storms upon the sea?
Like ocean mariners in peril, we cry unto him, and he bringeth us to the
desired haven-blessed haven-of quietness and peace in God.
“What is the cry which brings this answer of peace? It is not a prayer that
all occasion for disturbance shall be removed, for it is not always the divine
will to bring peace to the human spirit in that way; it is not always the best
way. But there is a cry which never fails to bring the quietness in which none
can ‘make trouble.’ It is a prayer for sweet, trustful, loving acquiescence in
the will of God.
“May thy will, not mine, be done;
MAY thy will and mine be one;
Peace I ask-but peace must be,
Lord, in being one with Thee.’
“What is it which disturbs my spirit? Is it anxiety about my work, my
finances, my reputation, my friends? Suppose my Father in heaven should hear
my prayer and remove every apparent cause for unrest in regard to one or all of
these matters today. That would not give settled peace, for in a life so full
of uncertainties as this, new occasions of anxiety would probably arise
tomorrow.
“But if I say, ‘Lord, let each one of these matters which concern my peace of
mind so closely be under thy control, order all entirely according to thy will,
for thou art my Father and my Friend; thy will is that thy children should have
the very best in all things; and thou knowest what is best for me,’ what a
place of rest is that! How the sense of too heavy responsibility rolls off;
how the distracting care is shifted from the heart too weak to bear it to the
strong shoulder upon which the government of all things rightfully and easily
rests.
“If this experience of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of
great price, is not realized at once, we must not be discouraged. It is not
only of a great price as to value, but it often costs a great price to gain it.
“It follows successive battles, often repeated self-surrender, and multiplied
trials in which the unfailing care and love of God have been clearly
manifested. We were watching the sea waves under the northeast wind; how
disturbed and dark they were! Suddenly, with a fierceness that seemed cruel,
the rain felt in torrents, and the unresisting waters grew perfectly calm as
under an overwhelming surprise. When the storm had passed, the setting sun
shone gloriously, and the quieted waters were beautiful in colors of rose and
gold.
“Nature has its spiritual correspondences. Surprise comes upon surprise,
sudden, overwhelming. The spirit which once tossed restlessly in chafing winds
of lesser trials sinks in sweet submission under heavier grief. We learn that
even in the storm God was, and at last his conscious love, his abiding
presence, his unvarying peace-the beauty of Godlikeness-glorify the character
and life.” Selected.