word of God: " In his word," saith he, "do I hope." It was quite sufficient for him that God had promised to succour his tempted people : and, whatever apparent contrarieties there might be between his dispensations and his word, he had no doubt but that they would all be cleared up in due season, and that not a jot or tittle of God's word would pass away, till all were fulfilled.]
3. With assured expectation —
[A watchman knows that the morning will at last appear ; and therefore, instead of abandoning his post, he waits till the destined hour for his relief arrive. Thus David assured himself that God would come to him at last, and reveal himself to him out of the abundance of his grace and love. The verses follow- ing my text shew this to have been the real experience of his soul, and afford me occasion to,]
II. Commend it to your imitation —
Not in the context only, but in other places, does David call upon us to imitate his example, and to avail ourselves of his experience for the comfort and direction of our own souls. " I had fainted," says he, "unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord ; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart : wait, I say on the LordV Thus would I now entreat you to mark the posture of David's soul in this season of trial. Consider,
1 . How suited it is to every one of you — [You may not have committed David's sins, or be sub- jected to David's trials : but where is there one of you that is not a sinner before God ? Who amongst you does not stand in need of mercy ? Who must not find his consolation alto- gether in the contemplation of God; saying with David, " If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand ? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be fearedg? " Then it is plain that the same waiting spirit becomes you also. Yes, in a spirit of penitence should you be crying to God, " Lord, hear my voice ; let thine ear be attentive to the voice of my supplications'1!" And, however long God may defer his answer to your prayers, you should wait with meekness and patience. " If the eyes of a servant are to the hand of his master, and the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress, should not your eyes be unto the Lord your God until he have mercy upon you' ?" Surely you may well be as observant of
f Ps. xxvii. 13, 14. s ver. 3, 4. h ver. 2. ! Ps. cxxiii. 2. VOL. VI. E E