Nor will lie overlook it even in his most highly favoured ser- vants11. But "shall we thus requite the Lord?" Let us rather survey with gratitude the mercies we have received. Let us habitually behold the hand of God in them. And let us anxiously inquire, " What shall I render unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me ?"]
This subject may teach us,
1. Where to look for future successes —
[If we look to our fleets and armies we may expect nothing but defeat. We are indeed to use all possible means of de- fence, but not to trust in any of them1. Our eyes must be directed unto God alone. " The battle is not. ours but his." " He can save by many or by few." Were we ever so superior to our enemies he could bring us down like Sennacherib k; or if we were reduced to ever so low an ebb, he could render us victorious1. And it is certain that if we "walk in pride, he will abase " us ; but if we humbly seek his aid, he will support and deliver us.]
2. Where to look for success in our spiritual war- fare—
[Whatever external peace we might enjoy, we yet should have a warfare to maintain. There never will be one moment's truce with our spiritual enemies. The world, the flesh, and the devil, will incessantly fight against us ; and we must conflict with them even to the end. But God fighteth for those who put their trust in him. Let us call upon him, and he will clothe us with armour from the arsenal of heaven1". The Captain of our salvation will go forth with us to the battle. He will shield our head, and strengthen our arm, and make us " more than conquerors" over all. Let us then " love him" for the victories we have already gained. Let us take good heed to ourselves that we never rob him of his glory. Let us thankfully ascribe our every success to him n : and begin the song which we shall shortly sing in heaven, " Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ0."]
h 2 Chron. xxxii. 25. l Isai. xxii. 11. k Isai. x. 8 — 19.
1 Isai. x. 4. m Eph. vi. 13. n Ps. cxv. 1.
0 1 Cor. xv. 57.