The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-12-04
A CHEERING ASSURANCE.
Thoughts For Times Of Az
Elections and Trial.

Elections and Trial.
There is more than simple observa-
ton to be considered in the words Of
Hagar, "Thou God seest me-" A
watchful providence is quite as distinct
~ brought to view. Hagar might have
persisted in the wilderness, had there
been no all-seeing eye to follow her de-
parting footsteps, and no Divine care
engaged in her behalf. She was far
away from Abrams kindness; but still
she was cared for in her perilous fight,
and enabled to hope for better Gays, be-
cause she had not been lost sight of by
Him whose infinite eye is gracious
eye, and whose seeing is helping, for
He sees only as to help. Unless God had
thus seen Hagar, she might have died
most miserably in the desolation to
which she had fed in desperation. This
was her only security.
And surely it is as much to US, that
the same Providence watches over US
continually, and that we are never UNI
seen by Him who "giveth to the beast
his food, and to the young ravens which
cry" In all the situations and circum-
stances in which we are placed, He sees
us, and knows what is best for us in
every state; nor will He fail to cause all
things to work together for good to US II
we duly acknowledge Him in all our
ways. Were it not for this continually
experimenting Providence, our condi-
ton would indeed be most deplorable.
Nothing but wilderness scenes would
surround US, and no hope Of escaping the
perils Of our way would relieve the dark
ness brooding over all our prospects.
God saw Hagar to befriend her, and 50
His care extends to all the helpless chill
dren of men. HE maketh His sun to
rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and unjust.
Alas! for us, If it were otherwise. II
God should lose sight Of US, even 70,
one single moment, there would be nc
more hope for US. All our enjoyments
depend upon His ever seeing US with
the gracious eye which controls pro
viding hand, so that we can say with the
Psalmist: "All my times are in Thy
hand"
1t may be time of adversely with us
and as God presides over its darkness
He does not fail to see US amid the
clouds surrounding us. Are we distress
ed in body or in mind; are we misun
derstood or misrepresented; are We
falsely accused or grossly abused; arr
we penniless or friendless are we over
whelmed by bereavement or disappoint
ment; are we reduced in possessions o.
associations; are the waters Of full q
we'll as bitter cup wrung out to US? Coz
sees us. Precious assurance! Let VI
not despair. The eyes Of the Lord arr
upon us in whatever wilderness we ma.
be, as we may hear Him saying, as t,
Moses of old: 81 have surely seen thu
afliction Of My people which are i,
Egypt, and have heard their cry b.
reason of their taskmasters; for know
their sorrows. Now, therefore, the CT,
Of the children of Israel is come up unit.
Me; and l have seen the oppression
wherewith the Egyptians Cypress them.
To be able to appropriate such assur
ances is exceedingly comforting in an,
Of the troubles through which the pee
pie of God may be called to pass.
In season of peculiar trial, Jaco
was addressed in the suggestive words
81 am the God Of Bethel" and to hir
was then given the comforting assul
ance: II have seen all that Laban doet
unto thee" The injustice which Jaco
had suffered at Laban's hands was NO
unseen by him who could redress tn
greatest wrongs, or make them produ(
tive of greater good than could Other
wise be experienced. To Hezekiah, tn
excellent King of Judah, while pro.
trated by seemingly fatal sickness, Il
who styled Himself 1.-The Lord God G
David thy father" said: II have hear
thy prayer, 1 have seen thy tears, b
hold I will heal thee" 1t was much I
him who was ''sick unto DEATH" that hi
tears were seen, as the tears Of all God
people are seen, with plying eyes whic
control helping hands, into which it
always safe to fall and lie reposefull,
In the assurance Of 'the Lord God {
David who NAY be our God. containe