committed,) Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pon- dereth the heart consider it ? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it ? and shall not he render to every man according to his works" ?" Yes : His estimate will not be re- gulated by your opinion of yourselves, but by his perfect know- ledge of your real character. May God enable us so to lay these things to heart, and so to act upon them, that " we may be found of him in that day without spot and blameless!"]
n Prov. xxiv. 11, 12.
Prov. xvi. 3. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts
shall he established.
WE all believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, and in a general way acknowledge his agency in the government of the world : but his particular care of us individually we find it extremely difficult to imagine. This, however, is most clearly revealed in the Holy Scriptures ; and our duty is so to realize it, as, under all circumstances of trial and of difficulty, to look to him for his gracious interposition, and to expect from his hands whatever shall most conduce to our real benefit.
In the words before us we see,
1. A state supposed —
[It is here supposed that we may be in a state of great perplexity, so as not to know what to do for the best. This is often the case with nations, especially when menaced by a
potent enemy* Nor is there scarcely an individual to
be found, who does not, at some time or other, experience an oppression of mind, arising out of difficulties with which he has to contend, and troubles which he knows not how to avert
Even in relation to men's spiritual concerns, the same
trials are felt. Many, in a season of deep conviction, have
poured out their complaints like Israel of old^ And
many, under grievous temptation, have been reduced to the
desponding frame of David"^ At such times their
thoughts are altogether distracted ; and they are, like the per- sons so beautifully described in the lOTth Psalm, brought, as it were, " to their wit's end."]
* Isai. vii. 2. and Joel ii. G, 10.
^ Isai. lix. from the middle of ver. 9. to 12. "= Ps. Ixxvii. 6—9.