[There are persons who imagine tlaey trust in God, when, in fact, they are trusting only in their own delusions''. There must be an express renunciation of every other hope*^, and an actual committing of our way to him in prayer^. There must be a direct exercise of faith in him, as able, and willing to eifect whatsoever our necessities require ; and a firm persuasion that he will do that which shall in the issue be best for us. This is implied in having " the mind stayed on him." We have a fine description of this state of mind contained in the prophecies of Isaiah : it is primarily indeed applicable to the Messiah ; but is proper also to be realized in tlie experience of all the saints ; since " all who fear the Lord" are exhorted in seasons of the deepest darkness and distress to set it before them as a model, and, after his example, to stay themselves upon their God*''
How important this duty is, may be inferred from the
reiterated injunctions given us respecting it''. Let us then " trust in God at all times." In times of ease and security, let us remember that we are in his hands, and not be saying with ourselves, " My mountain standeth strong ; I shall not be moved'." In times of trouble and distress, let us " not stagger at the promises through unbelief, but be strong in faith, giving glory to God." Let us, after the example of David, say, " My soul, wait thou only upon God ; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation ; he is my defence ; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation, and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God'^."
This is the kind of trust to which alone the promise iS made. "If our faith waver, we shall receive nothing of the Lord':" but if we commit our every concern to him, " our very thoughts," the most fluctuating of all things, " shall be esta- blished™," and " the peace of God which passeth all under- standing shall keep (the affections of) our hearts and (the imaginations of) our minds, through Christ Jesus"."]
Address —
I. Those who know nothing of this blessedness —
[Do not suppose that this peace is merely ideal ; and that, because you do not experience it, it has no existence in the Believer's mind : for it is the legacy of Christ to all his people: " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you°:" and it is indeed " a peace that passeth all vmderstanding." It is not a mere absence of feeling, but a positive sense of re- conciliation with God, a sweet consciousness of being under
d Isai, xlviii. 1,2. ^ Prov. iii. 5, 6. ^ Ps. Ixii. 8.
s Isai. 1. 7 — 10. ^ Ps. cxv. 9 — 11. ' Ps. xxx. 7.
k Ps. Ixii. 5 — 7. 1 Jam. i. 6, 7. "" Prov, xvi. 3.
" Phil. iv. 6, 7. See the Greek. ° John xiv. 27.