He is possessed of almighty power p —
[There is no difficulty from which he cannot extricate <1, nor duty which he cannot enable us to discharge. Should we, for whom such wisdom and power are exercised, be anxious1-?]
Moreover he is good and gracious —
[What innumerable blessings has he already bestowed upon us! He has even given his own Son to die for us. What then can we have to fear, if we trust in him s ?]
Above all, he is a, faithful God —
[He has promised seasonable protection and strength t. And is not his word a sure ground of confidence11? Surely then we should be filled with consolation rather than with carex.]
Infer —
1. How needful is it that all should acquaint them- selves with God !
[Gaiety and dissipation may bear up the spirit in pro- sperity ; but God alone can comfort us in adversity y. At the hour of death we shall all need Divine support. Let the care- less then begin to reflect upon their state : let them provide a refuge against the day of trouble : let them follow that salutary advice2 — .]
2. How happy would Christians be if they rightly enjoyed their privileges !
[It is their privilege to be " without carefulness3." If they trusted in God as they ought, nothing could disturb themb. Hence that exhortation to joy in God — c. Let the afflicted saints then commit themselves to himd: let them know that duty is theirs, but events are his : let them, in the face of all difficulties, adopt the words of Joshua e — ■: let them, with Hezekiah, repose themselves on God f.]
P Job xl. 2. i Isai. 1. 2. and xliii. 13.
r Isai. xl. 27, 28. s Rom. viii. 32.
1 Isai. liv. 10. Deut. xxxiii. 25. 1 Cor. x. 13.
" 2 Sam. xxii. 31. Heb. x. 23. x Heb. vi. 18.
y Job xxxv. 10. z Job xxii. 21. a 1 Cor. vii. 32.
b Isai. xxvi. 3. c Ps. v. 11, 12. d Mic. v. 4.
e Numb. xiv. 9. f 2 Chron. xxxii. 7, 8.