IV. Their triumphs —
[With such weakness, and such labours, we might well expect the worm Jacob to sink in dejection and despair : but behold he triumphs and exults, "rejoicing in the Lord, and glorying in the Holy One of Israel." Here it must be re- marked, that he does not ascribe his successes to his own arm ; he does " not sacrifice to his own net, or burn incense to his own drag;" he gives the glory to Him, to whom alone it is due, even to " Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of his faith r." The language of David in reference to his victories exactly suits the Christian in reference to his spiritual triumphs s. He readily acknowledges whence it is that the weapons of his warfare have accomplished such mighty things, namely, that they have been " mighty through God1," who " has wrought all his works in himu," and " of whom all his fruit has been foundx." Hence, whilst he acknowledges that " he who hath wrought him to the self-same thing is Gody," he shouts with devoutest gratitude, " Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ2!"]
Let us learn from hence,
1. The folly of unbelief —
[We are apt to be discouraged by reason of our weakness. But, what if we be as weak as the meanest worm ? is God therefore weak, or unable to effect the purposes of his grace ? He characterises us as " worms," on purpose that, "when weak in ourselves, we may be strong in him, and expect him to perfect his strength in our weakness." Instead therefore of being discouraged on account of our weakness, we should rather " rejoice and glory in it, that the power of Christ may rest upon us," and be glorified in usa. We should not, like the unbelieving spies, contemplate the power of our enemies, but should, with believing Joshua, regard them all " as bread for usb:n and, hurling defiance at them all, we should say, " Who art thou, O great mountain ? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain : his hands shall surely finish the work he has begun0."]
2. The need of constant exertions —
[Our weakness is no excuse for inactivity ; nor does God's promised aid supersede the necessity of our own exertions. On the contrary, it is that very promise that encourages our
r Heb. xii. 2. s Ps. xviii. 29, 32, 33, 34, 37, 42.
* 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. and 1 Cor. xv. 10. u Isai. xxvi. 12.
x Hos. xiv. 8. y 2 Cor. v. 5.
z 1 Cor. xv. 57. and 2 Cor. ii. 14. »2 Cor. xii. 9, 10.
b Numb. xiv. 3, 9. c Zech. iv. 7, 8. with Phil. i. 6.