[In the space of a few months God had brought his people to the borders of Canaan j and yet for their murmuring and un- behef he turned them back into the wilderness, and caused them to wander there for forty years, till all that generation, except- ing two persons, were swept away. This was most mysterious : yet are we told on infallible authority, that '* He led them by the right way." In truth, that dispensation has afforded the richest instruction to the Church from that period to the present hour, and will continue to do so to the end of time : and it will be found that his darkest dispensations towards us also are the most replete with instruction to our souls. It is usually those who are most exercised with trials, that know most of themselves, and most of God. Whenever therefore his dealings with us appear strange and inexplicable, let us compose our minds with the re- flection suggested toward the close of this psalm, " Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known y."]
4. How sure his promises!
[He had pledged himself to Abraham, that he would bring his posterity into the full possession of the Promised Land : and, though for their iniquities he caused all who came out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, yet he brought their children, who they supposed would fall an easy prey to their enemies, into that good land, and gave it them for their inheritance: and so perfectly did he fulfil his word to them in every respect, that Joshua after many years could appeal to the whole nation, that " not one thing had failed of all the good things which the Lord their God had spoken concerning them ; all was come to pass unto them, and not one thing had failed thereof^." Thus, if the thought arise in our hearts, " Is his mercy clean gone for ever ? doth his pro- mise fail for evermore?" our answer must be, "No:" *' it is impossible for God to lie*:" ^^ his promises in Christ are all yea, and amen'':" and " his mercy endureth for ever^"]
Address,
1 . Those who are walking in darkness —
[There are changes in the spiritual, as well as in the natural world. We must not any of us expect that our sun shall shine equally at all times with unclouded splendor. Not- withstanding we may truly " fear God and obey the voice of his servants, we may yet be walking in darkness and have no light." But in that state we are directed what to do : we must " trust in the Lord, and stay upon our God*^." The longest night will have an end: and if we wait patiently upon our God, " his way is prepared as the morning," which, though the night appear
exceeding
5' Isai. li. 10. ^ Josh, xxiii. 14. "" Heb. vi. 18.
'' 2 Cor. 1. 20, " Ps. cxxxvi. 1—2(5. '' Isai. 1. 10.