And when did he ever refuse to hear a petition so enforced?
[God loves to be addressed with confidence, provided the confidence be grounded on his power and grace. He bids us to come to him " with a full assurance of faith ;" to " ask what we will :" and he gives us reason to hope, that, if we come in faith, he will " do for us not only what we ask, but exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." It might be feared, that the importunity of Moses would offend him. But it did not : nor was he angry with Jacob, who " wrestled with him in prayer all night," and boldly said, " I will not let thee go until thou bless me." On the contrary, he commands us to wait on him with unwearied importunity, and to " continue instant in prayer," till he bestow upon us all that our hearts can wish. " The wider we open our mouths in prayer, the more he will fill them."]
To improve this subject, I would say,
1 . Bear in mind the tokens of God's love —
[Look at what he " has said to you" in his word: take his " exceeding great and precious promises," and tell me whether you can ever want a plea to urge at the throne of grace. You acmiire his condescension and grace to Moses : but it is no other than what he will manifest to you, if, like Moses, you consecrate yourselves to his service. You cannot, indeed, expect to converse with God face to face, as a man converseth with his friend : but by faith you may approach him no less certainly, and no less nearly ; and may be sure of obtaining from him an answer of peace. Only take with you his words of promise, and spread them before him; and every jot and tittle of them shall be fulfilled to your souls.]
2. Let the effect of his distinguishing grace be to make you more earnest in your desires after him —
[When David said, " O God, thou art my God," he added, " early will I seek thee." In truth, this is our great encou- ragement to seek him: for, if he " loved us with an everlasting love," what may we not expect his loving-kindness to do for us? If once you could bring yourselves to say, ' I am one of God's elect, and therefore am at liberty to relax my efforts in his ser- vice;' you would need no further evidence, that you are "yet in the gall of bitterness," and have no part or lot in his salvation. If you have a good hope that you are his children indeed, then will you " walk worthy of your high calling," and " purify your- selves even as he is pure."]
3. Improve your interest in God for the good of others —