(_d_) Christian experience confirms the declarations of Scripture that particular events are brought about by God with special reference to the good or ill of the individual. Such events occur at times in such direct connection with the Christian’s prayers that no doubt remains with regard to the providential arrangement of them. The possibility of such divine agency in natural events cannot be questioned by one who, like the Christian, has had experience of the greater wonders of regeneration and daily intercourse with God, and who believes in the reality of creation, incarnation, and miracles.
Providence prepares the way for men’s conversion, sometimes by their own partial reformation, sometimes by the sudden death of others near them. Instance Luther and Judson. The Christian learns that the same Providence that led him before his conversion is busy after his conversion in directing his steps and in supplying his wants. Daniel Defoe: “I have been fed more by miracle than Elijah when the angels were his purveyors.” In _Psalm 32_, David celebrates not only God’s pardoning mercy but his subsequent providential leading: “_I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee_” (_verse 8_). It may be objected that we often mistake the meaning of events. We answer that, as in nature, so in providence, we are compelled to believe, not that we _know_ the design, but that there _is_ a design. Instance Shelley’s drowning, and Jacob Knapp’s prayer that his opponent might be stricken dumb. Lyman Beecher’s attributing the burning of the Unitarian church to God’s judgment upon false doctrine was invalidated a little later by the burning of his own church.
_Job 23:10_—“_He knoweth the way that is mine,_” or “_the way that is with me,_” _i. e._, my inmost way, life, character; “_When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold._” _1 Cor. 19:4_—“_and the rock was Christ_”—Christ was the ever present source of their refreshment and life, both physical and spiritual. God’s providence is all exercised through Christ. _2 Cor. 2:14_—“_But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ_”; not, as in A. V., “_causeth us to triumph_.” Paul glories, not in conquering, but in being conquered. Let Christ triumph, not Paul. “Great King of grace, my heart subdue; I would be led in triumph too. A willing captive to my Lord, To own the conquests of his word.” Therefore Paul can call himself “_the prisoner of Christ Jesus_” (_Eph. 3:1_). It was Christ who had shut him up two years in Cæsarea, and then two succeeding years in Rome.