1. He watches over them by his providence — [The clearest of God's children may appear to others,
perhaps also to themselves, to be forsaken of God. But the Father's eye is ever upon them for good, and " runneth to and fro throughout the whole earth, to interpose effectually in their behalf6." They may be suffered to want for a season, in order that they may be stirred up to seek relief from him : but they shall assuredly be supplied with every thing that is needful for themh. They may experience many deep and heavy afflictions, but not one which shall not ultimately " work for their good1."]
2. He keeps them by his grace —
[God is not an unconcerned spectator of his people's con- flicts. He shields their heads in the day of battle. If they fall, he raises them up ; if they be wounded, he heals them ; if they faint, he renews their strength k. He will not endue them with such a degree of grace as shall supersede the need of vigilance and exertion ; nor will he commit to them a stock that shall suffice for months or days : but he will give them "grace to help in the time of need1" and that "grace shall be sufficient for them." Thus will he secure them from the destruction which they fear, and make them " more than con- querors, through Him that loved themm."]
3. He comforts them by his presence —
[Who can express the consolations which God sometimes pours into the souls of those who wait upon him ? They have been weeping perhaps under a sense of sin, or lamenting a state of spiritual darkness; and behold, God reveals himself unto them : their " light rises in obscurity, and their darkness becomes as the noon-day." Often will God " manifest himself to them as he does not unto the world ;" he will give them " a spirit of adoption, whereby they shall cry with confidence, Abba, Father;" and will so "shed abroad his love in their hearts," that they shall have " an earnest of their inheritance," and a foretaste of the heavenly glory. This is promised by God himself to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sin- cerity, and is actually experienced by many who can attest his fidelity".]
Address —
1. Those who are destitute of love to Christ, and of faith in him —
8 2 Chron. xvi. 9. h Ps. xxxiv. 10. < Rom. viii. 28.
k Ps. cxlvi. 7, 8. ' Heb. iv. 16. no Rom. viii. 37.
11 John xiv. 21, 23.