Если самые лучшие ветви винограда, дающие доказательство плодоношения, требуют обрезания, то и самые добросовестные и ревностные из числа Господних людей нуждаются в Господних взысканиях и предусмотрительной заботе - иначе они могли бы быстро пустить побеги и перестать приносить обильные плоды. Для истинных детей Бога, чья воля полностью погребена в воле Господа, такое обрезание не может принести ни вреда, ни разочарования. Такие дети уже до некоторой степени убедились в собственном неблагоразумии и обрели доверие к мудрости Великого Земледельца. Поэтому, когда божественное провидение преграждает путь их усилиям в каких-то направлениях, они не печалятся, что их планы не удались, поскольку уверены, что Господняя воля и Господний путь - самые лучшие и несут благословение.

as even the best branches in the vine, which give
evidence of fruit-bearing, require pruning, so even the
most honest and earnest of the Lord's people require
the Lord's discipline and providential care--otherwise
they might soon run to woodmaking also, and fail to
bring forth much fruit. The husbandman's skill recognizes
how much of the branch and sprout and leaf are
necessary to the bringing forth and proper maturing of
the fruit which he seeks, and so our heavenly Father
knows perfectly the conditions, etc., most favorable to
us that we may bring forth much good fruit. He sees
the sprouts of our ambitions in various directions, and
knows, as we do not, whereunto these might lead us;
and by his providence nips in the bud many of our
propositions, deeming it better that the strength and
energy which we thus intend to put forth should be expended
rather in other directions--in bringing to maturity
our good fruits already started and in progress.

The true child of God whose will has been entirely
immersed into the will of the Lord is neither offended
nor discouraged by these prunings. He has learned
something at least of his own unwisdom, and has confidence
in the wisdom of the great Husbandman; hence
when divine providence estops his efforts in some directions
he takes the thwarting of his plans joyfully,
assured that the Lord's will and the Lord's way are
the best, and intended to work out a blessing.

DISAPPOINTMENT
“DISAPPOINTMENT—His appointment,”
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God’s better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Tho’ it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning
Open to His wisdom lies.

“Disappointment—His appointment,”
Whose? The Lord’s who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like loving earthly parent,
He rejoices when He knows
That his child accepts, Unquestioned,
All that from His wisdom flows.

“Disappointment—His appointment,”
“No good thing will He withhold,”
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold.
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.

“Disappointment—His appointment,”
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life’s plan is Thy moulding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining—
Father, “Not my will, but Thine.”