god's interpositions for us are obligations to love
and serve him.
Josh, xxiii. 10, 11. The Lord your God, he it is thatjighteth for you, as he hath promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God.
MUCH as patriotism and valour are admired, and deservedly as, in many instances, they have been re- warded by men, they are of no value in the sight of God, if they be not accompanied with true piety. Their utility to the state of which we are members is undoubted; but their moral excellence depends on their union with religion. Abstracted from a regard to God, they are a mere compound of pride and selfishness ; but, regulated by religion, they are in a high degree amiable and praiseworthy. Many bright examples of patriotism, united with piety, are set before us in the Scriptures ; but none shines with greater lustre than that of Joshua : when his whole nation was sinking under desponding fears, he en- couraged them by his unshaken fortitude and con- fidence in Goda ; and when he had vanquished all their enemies, and put them into the quiet possession of the promised land, he still improved his influence to confirm their faith, and to establish them in the paths of righteousness. The words before us are part of his dying address to all the elders of Israel. In applying them to the present occasion, we shall shew,
I. To whom our successes have been owing —
God has promised to interpose on behalf of those who wait upon him —
[His promises to hear the prayers of individuals are num- berless15. And the same are made also to repenting nations0.]
His interpositions on behalf of our nation have been signally manifest —
[We may be led to ascribe them to the valour of our forces, or the skill of our commanders. But it is God who
a Numb. xiv. 6 — 9. b Matt. vii. 7. c 2 Chron. vii. 14.