II. Why David prayed that it might be for his comfort ? He did so,
1. Because, without a sense of it, his trials would have been insupportable —
[David was exposed to many and severe trials : and, if lie had not been favoured with peculiar supports, he would have sunk under them. This he often mentions c : and St. Paul also acknowledges his obligation to God for similar supports'3. When such manifestations were withdrawn, even Jesus himself almost fainted e : but when they were vouchsafed, the weakest females were made triumphant over all the malice of their persecutors f.]
2. Because, though all are partakers of it, all do not rind it to their comfort —
[How many have the blessings of health and wealth, who taste nothing of God's loving-kindness in them, but make them the occasions of more flagrant opposition to his will ! How many have been restored to health, who by their subsequent misconduct have turned that mercy into a real curse ! Above all, how many have made Christ himself a stumbling-block instead of a Saviour, and " the gospel a savour of death," when it might have been to them " a savour of life ! " Thus would all men do, if they were left to themselves : even Hezekiah's miraculous recovery, and St. Paul's visit to the third heavens, would have issued only in their deeper condemnation, if God had not given grace to the one, and " a thorn in the flesh" to the other, to counteract the propensities of their fallen nature. Well then might David make this a matter of prayer to God, when none but God could impart to him this benefit.]
3. Because, if it be not to our comfort, it will be, in a most awful manner, to our discomfort —
[It is no light matter to abuse the merciful kindness of God. The day is coming, when every mercy we have received, must be accounted for ; and when " it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha than for those " who have slighted a preached gospel. Every mercy therefore should be received with a holy fear and jealousy, lest it should prove only an occasion of more aggravated guilt, and heavier condemnation.] Application —
[Let us more frequently reflect on the loving-kindness of GodB— Let us meditate on it especially in seasons of trouble11 — And let us endeavour to requite it by devoting ourselves unre- servedly to his service 5 — ]
c 1 Sam. xxx. 6. and Ps. cxvi. 3 — 5. d 2 Cor. i. 3 — 5.
e Matt, xxvii. 46. f Heb. xi. 35. s Vs. xxvi. 3. and lxiii. 3. h Ps. cxliii. 78. i Ps. cxvi. 12. and Isai. lxiii. 7.
708.] david's boasting explained and vindicated. 347