Beauty Quote by Samuel Rutherford
““Do not focus your thoughts among the confused wheels of secondary causes, as -'O if this had been, this had not followed!' Look up to the master motion of the first wheel. In building, we see hewn stones and timbers under hammers and axes, yet the house in this beauty we do not see at the present, but it is in the mind of this builder. We also see unbroken clods, furrows, and stones, but we do not see the summer lilies, roses, and the beauty of a garden. Even so we do not presently see the outcome of God's decrees with his blessed purpose. It is hard to believe when his purpose is hidden and under the ground. Providence has a thousand keys to deliver his own even when all hope is gone. Let us be faithful and care for our own part, which is to do and suffer for him, and lay Christ's part on himself and leave it there; duties are ours, events are the Lord's.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Providence of God, 1650s
Focus on divine purpose rather than immediate causes; trust unseen outcomes guided by higher will.
In simple terms: Trust God's unseen plan.
Key Takeaway
Serve faithfully, trust providence.
Themes
faith
trust
divine purpose
patience
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
spiritual
theological
When to use this quote
- building a life
- facing uncertainty
- enduring hardship
- maintaining hope
Key Concepts
theodicy
spiritual insight
purpose
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we recognize hidden blessings?
- What role does patience play in faith?
A Different Perspective
Human effort is limited; outcomes remain mysterious.
