The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd

The second of Piper's The Swans are Not Silent series, this book was the most difficult to read because of the subject it dealt with - suffering. Piper selected three great men of the faith, known for their devotion to the Lord and their godly walk and let the reader peak behind the curtains of their lives - and the suffering, depression, attempted suicide and struggles of these three men was very distressing. Yet, even as Bunyan face his twelve years in prison for preaching the gospel, he saw his struggles actually ordained and orchestrated by God for His own glory; a view that both Cowper and Brainerd shared regarding their own hardships and turmoil. In a country where suffering is avoided at all costs and seen by many as spiritual weakness, the lives of Bunyan, Cowper and Brainerd shout a different story about the sovereign hand of God in the lives of His children. 1 Peter chapter 4 tells us that we should not consider suffering strange, but rather as a sign that the Lord truly is in control and that He is working out our salvation for His own glory through our hardships. Looking back at the lives of these three saints, it is easy to see how God has been glorified in their struggles - from the writings of Bunyan to the poems and hymns of Cowper to the effectual call to ministry that the life of Brainerd has had on hundreds if not thousands who followed him. While these three struggled greatly, many have tasted the fruit of eternal peace from their hardships. All four books of this series are outstanding - highly recommended for all Christians to read. Piper introduces us to some great men of the faith and challenges us with their lives to walk in a manner worthy of our calling as those who went before us have done.

Affliction - it is a word that few Christians in our day would like to use in refrence to life. In the midst of the purpose-driven, make me happy Jesus generation comes this wonderful book by John Piper on the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper (pronouced Cooper), and David Brainerd. What we learn from this book is just what the title suggests: there is fruit in affliction. Reading this work by Piper helps me to see that Romans 8:28 is still true even when it seems life is tough. God is able to use the difficult times in our lives not only for His purpose (Ephesians 1:11) but for others. Did David Brainerd know that his short 29 years on planet Earth would shake up so many Christians and call so many to abandon it all for the sake of world evangelism (Luke 14:33)? I urge all disciples of Jesus to read this work by John Piper. The chapters are fast paced and you will not get lost in minute details of these men's lives. Piper covers the basics of their life and then he shows you what lessons we can learn from their affliction to help us in ours. An excellent book that I give five stars too without any reservations.

The Hidden Smile of God is Book Two of John Piper's series The Swans are Not Silent. Each volume collects three biographical messages Piper's given on historical figures in the Christian faith. In this volume, Piper expounds on the afflicted lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd and explains how their suffering can help us today. John Bunyan is most famous for his book The Pilgrim's Progress, though many are also familiar with his biographical Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. Living in England in the 17th century, Bunyan saw times of religious freedom and religious persecution. Due to his commitment to his faith, he was imprisoned for twelve years away from his wife and children. While most of us have heard of John Newton (author of Amazing Grace), few of us have heard of his friend William Cowper. They both lost their mothers at age six, but Cowper also suffered from not having a father who loved him properly. Though his poetic gift resulted in some beautiful hymns, he suffered from severe depression and attempted suicide numerous times throughout his life. Piper claims that Jonathan Edwards' biography of David Brainerd "has inspired more missionary service, perhaps, then any other book outside the Bible." (13) Failing to succeed at Yale, Brainerd looked to opportunities aside from education in which to serve God. He found his calling in evangelizing Indians, a service he recounted as incredibly lonely in his diary. Though his lonely depression was difficult, his battle with tuberculosis was his most costly challenge and it took his life at only twenty-nine years of age. The Hidden Smile of God is a great opportunity to learn about three men I knew very little of through the helpful pen of John Piper. As usual, Piper's insights are thoughtful and immensely practical. I particularly benefited from his reflections on four points Bunyan made about suffering: "God has appointed who shall suffer... when they shall suffer... where this, that or the other good man shall suffer... and what kind of sufferings this or that saint shall undergo." (68-70) Through all our sufferings, be they external, physical, or mental William Cowper reminds us, "Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face." (80)

In our day of self-help and "feel good" religion this may seem a strange book to many. Through the looking glass of the lives of John Buyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd, John Piper reminds us of something the Purtians called "The frowning providence of God." This is the second in a series of books called, The Swans are Not Silent. Each book in this series takes a theme and then examines that theme in the Scripture and the lives of believers of the past. The theme of this work is suffering and affliction. As always, Piper stretches our faith well beyond the normal comfort zones of evangelical thought. One can feel hid sorrow as Buyan parted from his family to spend 12 years in prison. It was in that prison however, that Pilrgims Progress was born. Piper carries us with William Cowper into the darkness of an insane asylum where in utter despair he finally found the grace and mercy of God. From that darkness Cowper broke into glorious light, writing that great hymn, There is a Fountain Filled With Blood. We are transported back to the apparent failure of David Brainerd as he was expelled from Yale for questioning the salvation of an instructor. We walk with Brainerd through his short years as a missionary to the Indians. Piper reminds us that none of us know what waves will spread out from a pebble dropped into the ocean of God's will.The Hidden Smile of God is the kind of book that you won't put down once you open it. This is a much needed book in our day. So-called Christian broadcasting is beaming a message around the world of feel-good easiness. It may be a hard word to embrace but it is true. God's people are not spared from affliction and trouble. They are brought through these things in the grace and mercy of God.