But with the good, it is just the reverse. They may be permitted by Divine Providence to pass through many troubles; but it is for their purification, and consequent greater elevation at last. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."[1] Every wish, the accomplishment of which will be for their real good, shall be gratified: "delight thyself, also, in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."[2] How comprehensive is this promise! If we but look to the Lord, and seek to do His will, and to please Him, all our desires shall be attained. The reason why the condition is made, that we "delight ourselves in the Lord," is because in that case our minds are brought into a state of agreement with, and submission to, His Divine will. Now, His will desires nothing but our very highest happiness, not only for this short life, which is but the commencement of existence, but for ever. Consequently, if we but learn to give up our own temporal wishes, which, like children's, are often directed to what will not be really for our good,—and yield to the gentle leadings of our kind Father above, we shall be brought to that which, after all, is our final end, namely, happiness. Our "heart" being brought into a right state, that is, such as to desire only what is truly desirable, then we shall be allowed to "have the desires of our heart," gratified. This is truly a beautiful plan, and a most reasonable one.
Moreover, in seeking the accomplishment of our ends, after they have been once directed to the right objects, we are promised Divine and infinite aid, and therefore we cannot fail of success. "Commit thy
