God’s providence

The Bible exhorts Christians to reflect on and consider the providence of God in their lives and the lives of others.  As the sovereign Governor of His universe, God directs everything to fulfill His gracious purposes for His people.  John Flavel, in The Mystery of Providence, focuses our attention on the benefits that come with careful scrutiny of God’s providence: “O that we were but acquainted with this heavenly spiritual exercise, how sweet it would make our lives, how light it would make our burdens! Ah, sirs, you live estranged from the pleasure of the Christian life, while you live in the ignorance or neglect of this duty.  O fill your hearts with the thoughts of Him and His ways.”  Flavel makes some staggering claims here, that if true, would make us fools to ignore.  He says we will never know the full pleasure biblical religion offers us if we neglect this.  He tells us that regular reflection on God’s providence will make our burdens light.  That’s for me!  But are Flavel’s statements supportable?  Is he exaggerating just to get our attention?  I have found that all of the other great Puritans back him unreservedly.  And of far greater importance, God’s word resounds with such claims as Flavel makes here!