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I. WHAT IT IS TO OBSERVE PROVIDENCES WISELY.

1. It presupposes —

(1)That there is a providence. Is it unworthy of God to govern what He has created? As for the wisdom in the management of the world, they are fools who judge it folly before they see the end.

(2) The faith of this providence. We must believe the doctrine of providence, if we would be wise observers thereof.

(3) Providence has a language t.o the children of men.

(4) A disposition to understand the language and design of providence.

2. It imports —

(1) A watching for them till they come (Habakkuk 2:1; Isaiah 26:8; Psalm 130:1, 5, 6).

(2) A taking heed to them, and marking them when they come (Isaiah 25:9; Luke 19:44).

(3) A serious review of them, pondering and narrowly considering them. It is a mystery many times, looking at which our weak eyes will begin to dazzle. And that we may unravel the clue by a sanctified judgment (Psalm 77:6), it will be needful to call in the help of prayer, with much humility, faith, and self-denial (Job 10:2), and of the Scripture (Psalm 73:16).

(4) Laying them up, and keeping them in record (Luke 1:66). We should keep them as one would do a treasure, for the time to come. Then are they experiences, which will be notable provision for after-times.

(5) A practical observation of them (Micah 6:9).

II. THE THINGS ABOUT WHICH WE ARE WISELY TO MAKE OUR OBSERVATIONS.

1. Providences may be considered with respect to their objects, which are all the creatures and all their actions.

(1) Look into the invisible world, and trace providence there.

(2) Look to the visible world, and trace providence there (John 5:17).

2. We may consider providences with respect to their kinds (Psalm 40:5). The wisdom of God is manifold wisdom, and produces works accordingly (Psalm 104:24). And each of them is to be observed.

(1) Providences are either cross, or smiling and favourable. Both ought to be observed, and may be so profitably.

(2) There are great lines and small lines of providence..

(3) There are common and uncommon providences.

3. We may consider providences with respect to the time of their falling out.

(1) We should observe the past dispensations of providence (Psalm 77:5). Towards others. Towards ourselves. Observe how God gave thee such and such education, ordered thy log in such and such a place in His earth, and in such sort as He has done, how He brought thee into such and such company, saved thee from such and such dangers, etc.

(2) We should observe the present dispensations of providence towards ourselves and others (Zechariah 6:1, 2). It is a stream that still runs by us, like those rivers that bring down the golden ore (Psalm 65:11). By day nor night it ceaseth not (Psalm 19:2).

III. WHAT WE ARE TO OBSERVE IN PROVIDENCES.

1. The timing of providences, the great weight of a dispensation sometimes lies ill this very circumstance, that then it came, and neither sooner nor later. And O the admirable wisdom that appears in thus jointing of them! (Genesis 24:45; Judges 7:13).

2. The beginnings and dawnings of providences (Psalm 130:6).

3. The progress of providence, endeavouring always to notice the several steps of it (Luke 2:19, 51), and to follow the thread. For God ordinarily brings great works to pass by degrees, that so men that are weak may have the greater advantage for observation (Hosea 6:3).

4. The turns of providence. The wheel of providence is a wheel within a wheel, and sometimes it runs upon the one side, and sometimes on the other. Observe the change of the sides. For providence to our view has many turnings and windings, and yet really it is going straight forward (Zechariah 14:7).

5. The end of providence (James 5:11; Job 42:10, 12).

6. The mixture of providence. There is never a mercy we get, but there is a cross in it; and never a cross, but there is a mercy in it. Observe the mixture of your mercies, to make you humble and heavenly; for the fairest rose that grows here has a prickle with it, and there is a tartness in our sweetest enjoyments. Observe the mixture of your crosses, to make you patient and thankful; for the bitterest pill God gives you to swallow has a vehicle of mercy (Lamentations 3:22).

7. The concurrence of providences.

8. The design and language of providences (Micah 6:9).

9. The harmony of providences.

(1)  With the Word.

(2)  Among themselves.

(3)  With their design and end.

(4)  With the prayers of the people of God.

IV. WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD WISELY OBSERVE PROVIDENCES.

1. Because they are God's works (Psalm 135:6).

2. Because they are great works (Psalm 111:2).

3. Because they are often very mysterious works, and therefore they need observation (Psalm 92:5).

4. Because they are always perfect works. They will abide the strictest search and the most narrow inquiry (Deuteronomy 32:4).

5. Because they are speaking works. They speak Heaven's language to the earth, and therefore should be observed.

(T. Boston, D.D.)

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KJV: Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

WEB: Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh. A Song. A Psalm by David.