[A life of godliness cannot be maintained without con- stant watchfulness and strenuous exertion. And there are times when " even the youths faint and are weary, and the young men utterly fall." But " if we wait upon our God we shall certainly renew our strength, and mount up with wings as eaglesm." If we look " to Him on whom our help is laid11," the experience of David shall be ours : " In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul0." Let not any difficulties then dis- courage us. " Let the weak say, I am strongp;" and the stripling go forth with confidence against Goliath. Let us " be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesusq," and " his strength shall assuredly be perfected in our weakness1"."]
m Isai. xl. 30, 31. n Ps. lxxxix. 19. ° Ps. cxxxviii. 3.
p Joel iii. 10. <J 2 Tim. ii. 1. r 2 Cor. xii. 9.
Phil. iv. 19. My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
AS it is a pleasing reflection to a generous man, that the object whom he relieves will have his con- dition meliorated, so is it a most delightful thought to a grateful mind, that there is One both able and engaged to recompense our benefactors. Were it not for this consideration, the reluctance which many feel to be burthensome to their friends, would scarce suffer them to accept the most needful assistances : but this hope both enhances the value, and gives zest to the enjoyment, of every kindness we receive. Such was the Apostle's experience, when his necessities had been relieved by the Philippian Church : he would have been well content to have wanted their present, as far as it related to his own comfort ; but, as it was profitable to the donors themselves, he " desired fruit that might abound to their account3." Having de- clared on what grounds he was so well pleased with their gifts, he assured them, that God would be
a Phil. iv. 17.