"The Believer's Sweet Pillow"

by Karen Fernandez

Every once in a while, God brings a person into my life that is a bruised reed. I know from experience that, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench. . .” (Isaiah 42:3), but He will restore and revive. The truth that He is sovereign, completely in control of every facet of my life, brings me great comfort and confidence in the future, knowing that He is working everything out for my good and ultimately, for His glory. I can think of nothing more comforting than laying my heart on the promise and truth that God's sovereign goodness is working behind the scenes of my life---the One who is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere, and all-sufficient. Spurgeon calls God's providence “the believer's sweet pillow”.

The writings of C. H. Spurgeon are the most picturesque, vivid imagery that the Christian world has been blessed with. I trust that the quote below will encourage and comfort your hearts:

" Christian! There is no sweeter pillow than providence! And when providence seems adverse, believe it still, and lay it under your head. For depend upon it—there is comfort in its bosom...How sweet is 'providence' to a child of God, when he can reflect upon it. He can look out into this world, and say--”However great my troubles, they are not so great as my Father's power. However difficult may be my circumstances, yet all things around me are working together for good.” He who guides the stars in the well-ordered courses, even when they seem to move in hazy dances—surely he can overrule my trials in such a way that out of confusion he will bring order; and from seeming evil, produce lasting good. He who bridles the storm, and puts the bit in the mouth of the tempest, surely he can restrain my trial, and keep my sorrows in subjection.

I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes; that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its orbit as well as the sun in the heavens; that the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as surely as the stars in their courses; and the fall of leaves from the tree is as fully ordained as the tumbling avalanche.

He who believes in God must believe this truth. There is no standing point between this and atheism. There is no halfway between an Almighty God, who works all things according to the good pleasure of his will, and no God at all!”

Karen is married to Steve Fernandez, pastor of Community Bible Church for over 30 years, and president of The Cornerstone Seminary in Vallejo, Ca.