realisations of sn.cred knowledge prepare for the Divinely-arranged circumstances of life, critical moments, and heavenly visitations. IV. Gon's MANNER OF DEALING WITH THE DIFFICULTIES AND OBJECTIONS OF ms INTENDED SERVANT 1B VERY INSTRUCTIVE. IIe accommodates himself to the thoughts passing through Gideon's mind. By his words he drives the brooding mind into distressful paradox. The past achievements of Gideon are remembered, and a corresponding respect shown him. The revelation of himself is gradual. He is considerate, gracious, and painstaking with the heart he intends to make his own. "Have not I sent thee" is sufficient guarantee for God's servant. There ought to be no misgiving when that assurance has been givcn.-M. Vers. 12, 13.-The paradox of tlie .Divine presence. It bas ever been the case that spiritual blessing is hard to be realised in the absence of material prosperity. There is something almost ironical in the contrast between the assertion "Jehovah is with thee," and the actual condition of the person addressed. It was the more inconceiv- able because of the external nature of the religious sanctions and rewards of thP- age. Mosaicism abounds in material and temporal blessings. A natural question, ri..en. for Gideon was, "Where are these?" There are many who think very similarly tc,. day. Are they right or are they wrong? If God be with a man ought he not to prosper ? Notice first- I. THE DIFFICULTY OF GIDEON. It was to reconcile the assurance of God's presence with the signs of actual weakness and distress all around him. There is something very ingenuous in the identification of himself with his people. "Thee" is altered by him to "us." It is full of promise for the future of the hero. He knows of no blessing in which his country does not share. And that is the right temper in which to face all such problems. The glorious past of Israel rose up before his mind's eye. How different from the days in which his lot had fallen I Had God any favour to his people? Why, then, this utter inaction? this absence of all miraculous interven- tion? If the old records were to be credited God had delivered his people with a "high hand and an outstretched arm ; " now to all appearance the heavens had "withdrawn, and become astronomical." And yet how great and immediate the need for God's help I Day by day deeds were wrought under the sun that could not be spoken of. So there are times in these days when crimes are committed, nascent movements of religious and secular moment are withered, and the dial of civilisation is set back. The great calamit(3s of war, pestilence, earthquake, &c., seem to call to heaven, but it is silent. ls it indifferent? Has the hope of man been a dream? II. How IT MAY DE ANSWERED. Other tliings being eq1tal, the blessing of God ought to make rich, and happy, and prosperous. But that is not its chief end in the present. It is first to make right. And God is in the seed as much as in the plant. He has many ways of fulfilling his promises. The blessing of Gideon was a potential one. It began even then in hiru, but it was to be communicated to others. It was as really a blessing for Israel as if the oppressor had been driven from her borders, &c. Spiritual influences begin deeply, secretly, and mysteriously; but they are ere long known by their fruits. God was with Israel repentant in the moment of her repentance. And yet the external evils of her condition were as yet un- checked. God can be with a man in fulness of blessing and help, even when he is poor, and wretched, and helpless; but he will not continue so if he be obedient to the heavenly will. Spiritual blessing then should be expected to show itself, at least first, spiritually and inwardly; and an individual may be the holder of it vicariously fnr a nation or the race.-M. Ver. 14.-The assuring thouglit of God's servant. "Have not I sent thee?" This is one of those words by which the saint has often been II strengthened with nil might in the inner man." It lifted the heroes of Israel, the reformers, the men of the commonwealth of England, above the common weaknesses of their age and race. "A man, a woman, with a mission "-why not? Some careers are wholly explained by it; some simple achievement critical in history; and many unostentatious, secret services rendered in the Master's name, under the influence of overpowering impulses, more or less transient or permanent. THE BOOK OF JUDGES. [cH. VI. 11--24
I. TH~ LIFE IS _TITERE~Y CONSECRATED AND DIREC_TED. A man is not nt lihcrty to f?llow his own p_nrnte aim~ w~en the heavenly voice spenks thus within him. A higher plane of hfe end action 1s thereby created. An unseen influence isolates nnd consecrates him._ ,This usually imparts greater definiteness to his conduct. He doee not " beat the mr. ' II. THE MOST DIFFICULT DUTIES ARE IN THIS FAITH RENDERED PRACTICABLE. II If Go? be,,for us, who_ can be_ against us?" "All things are possible to them that behe,e. The fatalists of b1story-Cresars and Napoleons-have left their mark and proved the strength of a ruling idea. But this conviction is reasonable and of infinite power. The greatest changes the world has seen have been wrouo·ht 0 under its inflnence-apostolic 1:ni_ssion, refor~ation, missio1;1ery enterprise at h ome and abroad. Sunday school ongm and extension. .And so in the things of the individual life and private sphere. Ill. THROUGH ITS INFLUENCE A PRESENT CONSOLATION AND AN ETERNAL REWARD ARE SECURED. Has God sent us ? Then he will take note of our beha.viour and sustain our. flagging strength. Has God sent us? our service cannot be for ~arthly gain. He 1s our Master; and as he sends no man " a warfare at his own charo-es " so the saint is sustained by the hope of the "crown of glory that fadeth not aw~y.'11-M.