that is, that in all our trials, of whatever kind, we have God him- self for our refuge. Who need to be afraid of depths, when he has a God to go unto, a God able and willing to deliver him ? Look at the heathen, who know not God ; or at those who, though in a Christian land, are unacquainted with the great mystery of redemption. They are in a pitiable condition in- deed: but the believing penitent, though in darkness, has reason to rejoice ; because his " heaviness will endure but for a night, and joy will come to him in the morning." He may descend with Jonah to the very precincts of hell ; but in due season he shall be brought forth to light and liberty and joy.]
3. Our true wisdom —
[The resolution of David, in the words following our text, should be ours. Whether in trouble or at ease, let us wait on the Lord, and " hold us fast by God." The man who has been watching through the night looks with eager desire to the break of day, when he shall be relieved from his toil. But with far greater earnestness, and with sweeter assurance too, should we wait on God, confident that he will appear for us in the hour of need, and grant us that rest which our necessities require. Let us then live in this habit ; and then, " though the fig-tree should not blossom, nor the fields yield their meat, nor any herd be found in the stalls, we may rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of our Salvation0."]
0 Hab. hi. 17, 18.