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I. UNASSISTED HUMAN REASON CANNOT VINDICATE DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

1. Because we are prone to err.

(1)  Our intellect is depraved.

(2)  Our will is perverse.

(3)  The devil deceives us.

2. Because we see only parts of the ways of God.

(1)  The machinery is so vast.

(2)  The period of its revolution is so long.

3. Because Jehovah does not fully reveal Himself.

II. THE WAY OF DUTY IS THE WAY OF SAFETY.

1. We receive instruction. Wherever we commune with God, meditating on the Word of God, and praying, "Open Thou mine eyes, that," etc., we are in "the sanctuary of God," and are taught of the Lord. Receiving light from Holy Scripture, and from the Holy Spirit, our incorrect judgment respecting the prosperity of the wicked is rectified, and we see sufficient to convince us that the Judge of all the earth does right.

(1)  We see that rich sinners are insecure.

(2)  We see that rich sinners are suddenly cast down.

(3)  We see that rich sinners are the objects of God's displeasure.

2. We grow in faith. Two things especially nurture our faith.

(1)  A conviction of our own ignorance and insufficiency. "So foolish was I, and ignorant," etc.

(2)  A consciousness that God is near to us and sustains us. "Nevertheless I am continually with Thee," etc. Hence, "we endure as seeing Him who is invisible," and become "strong in faith, giving glory to God."

3. We rejoice in hope. The end is not yet. Eternity is before us.

(P. J. Wright.)

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KJV: When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

WEB: When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;