The least good thing.

Herman Witsius has written:

“And the efforts of their enemies are not only in vain, but without their knowledge, and against their will, they promote their salvation: and the devils are constrained to bring the friends of God nearer to heaven, from which they themselves shall be for ever banished. Thus the chief master of pride proved, by his buffetings, a teacher of humility to Paul, 2 Cor. xii. 7. So true it is, that all things work together for good to them that love God, Rom. viii. 28.”

“Abundance of all salutary good things flow from this peace which the Psalmist, Psal. cxliv. 13. describes to the life. And though it often happens, that the friends of God, as to the outward man, drag a life which scarce deserves that name, amidst poverty, contempt, and diseases; yet since the least good thing they enjoy in all these calamities, is bestowed upon them by the special love of God, is the most noble fruit of the cross of Christ, and gives them to taste the infinite goodness of the Deity. Therefore, “that little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked,” Psal. xxxvii. 16. For, he has it from and with the favour of God, who is the inexhausted fountain of all desirable things. Nay, the very evils with which they are overwhelmed turn to their advantage, for they serve to humble them, to build them up in faith, patience, and self denial, and wean them from the vanities of the world, and carry them towards heaven. Hence in their very adversities they find matter of joy and glorying, Rom. v. 3. Jam. i. 2.”

“From what we have said, the excellency of this peace is easily concluded, which the apostle, Phil. iv. 7. describes, as passing all understanding: it is therefore worthy to be sought after with the utmost diligence; kept when obtained, and renewed when interrupted.”

“God, indeed, graciously tenders it in the world of the gospel: but not as if the sinner is to do nothing, before he enjoys the inward sense of it. For this purpose it is necessary, 1st. that he confess, that, on account of his very many and very heinous offences, he is altogether unworthy of the peace and friendship of God, and seriously grieve for them, Luke xv.21. Psal. xxxii. 5, 6. Prov. xxviii. 13. 2dly. With sorrow observe and declare, that he can do nothing that is fit to appease the justly provoked Deity, Mic. vi. 6, 7. but put all his hopes in the blood of Christ alone, the application of which depends on the good pleasure of the Lord himself. 3dly. Give himself up humbly to God, thus thinking with himself, “Since without peace with God there is nothing but ruin, I will approach to the throne of grace, humbly begging for pardon and mercy; if he is pleased to reach out his golden scepter of grace to me, I will eternally praise him; but if in anger he turns away his face, I will confess his justice and proclaim it worthy of all praise, though it should be rigid to my destruction; and say, I will die at this feet without repining:” See Esther iv. 16. This absolute resignation and surrender, cannot but be acceptable to God, and salutary to man. That he add, to his devout prayers, reformation of life; sincerely keep his heart and actions from what he knows to be contrary to God; declare war against God’s enemies; will, love, and do what becomes the friends of God. In this way, let him “draw nigh to God, and God will draw night to him,” Jam. iv. 8.”

(Witsius, Herman. The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man, Volume I, Kingsburg, CA: den Dulk Christian Foundation, 1990, p. 435-436)