Chosen Quote by Thomas Merton
“In all His acts God orders all things, whether good or evil, for the good of those who know Him and seek Him and who strive to bring their own freedom under obedience to His divine purpose. All that is done by the will of God in secret is done for His glory and for the good of those whom He has chosen to share in His glory.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton, 1948
All events, even those appearing evil, are ultimately directed by divine will toward the benefit of those who trust and obey God.
In simple terms: God’s plan uses every event for good for believers.
Key Takeaway
Trust divine purpose despite apparent suffering.
Themes
faith
divine providence
trust
obedience
spiritual growth
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- ethical decision making
- prayer
- mission work
Key Concepts
theodicy
free will
spiritual obedience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal suffering with belief in a benevolent plan?
- What role does obedience play in spiritual freedom?
A Different Perspective
Human free will can conflict with perceived divine control, causing doubt.
![“I am sure, my poor, lame, mangled conformity to my Maker's commands, fills me with shame, and would make me hang down my head as a bulrush. But my Lord's death, my Lord's obedience, my divine Lord's merit, encourages me, imboldens [sic] me, and enables me to say, Who shall condemn me?” quote by James Hervey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a09/james-hervey-31481_death_i-am-sure-my-poor-lame-mangled-conformit_2191378.jpg)
![“People have to allow themselves to be used by God and Martin [Luther King, Jr.] committed himself totally to God's will and purpose and God is always waiting for someone who is willing to do that.” quote by Coretta Scott King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c5e/coretta-scott-king-3912_always-waiting_people-have-to-allow-themselves-to-be-us_326548.jpg)
![“[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world... Land, labor, and capital are extremely heterogeneous aggregates, not much better than earth, air, fire, and water.” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47e/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_air_in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-ch_12383.jpg)
