The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 132

them to p<>rfoct the renunciation of false gods and the contrition due for sin. And the ni,I of the prophet's powerful intercession was to g·ive more effect to their own cry. Life., to be ble~sed in issue, must be one of prayer-an incessant cry for help to 1I\'<'. And, also, recourse must be had to the true Intercessor, who is II touched with the freling of onr infirmities." The Church has not duly appreciated this means of aC'complishing its purpose in the world. In so far as the individual Christian is :t m:in of prayer, and looks daily to the Intercessor, will he press on till he attains to " t IH• mark and prize of his high calling." 5. A due recogn#ion of tlie atonement oj ('firi.<t. Not without reason was the" sucking lamb" offered when Israel sotJO"ht 1he Lord. The "way to God" was clearly recognised. And the life of man willbe right and will press on to a safe and blessed issue only so far as the Lamb of God is re~o!!·nised as !h~ ." way." The Churc)1 can fulfil )~er mission in the world only by fa~thfolly e:-l11b1~mg the cross of Cl~nst to the guilty and desponding. 6. 1Jeter- 11_iined conflict with th~ f!O,tural enemies of God and man. lsr~el had to fight Philis- tmes. On!)· on cond1tion of supplementary acts of confession and wonlhip, by earnest conflict with the foe, could they secure peace in their borders and finally i.nswer their Messianic purpose of existence. In like manner the Chu'rch and the- indi"'idual must II war a good warfare.'' The militant character should be maintained as long as there is an enemy to Christ in the heart as in the world. II. The ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSEVERE TO THE END. The raising of the stone •· Ebenezer" was an act retrospective and prospective. The hopes inspired in the mind of Samuel when first he undertook the work of reformation were being justified hy events, and he desired the people to share in his expectations. In so far as. fidelity has been shown by the Christian Church or by the individual in complying with the requirements of life's true issue, so far is there in every instance a ground of confident expectation. For consider- I. The primary basis of confidence. In Israel's case the return of the ark within their borders was a pledge of mercy for the penitent. They were not lost without remedy. And in the more glorious mani- festation of God in Christ '\t'e have the pledge that there is mercy for all, and that all energy spent conformably to the object of his presence among men will he crowned with success. 2. The consciousness of being on the side Qf rigltt. There is in even the fallen a remnant of the original sense of 1ight which furnishes a ground of appeal, and assures of responsibility. The guiltiest man in Israel knew that to forsake Jehovah was wrong. In turning unto the Lord and seeking his favour tl,e people were sustained by the deep conviction of right in hope of attaining tLe desired good. The moral support of such a consciousness is great to every onr The soul that seeks holiness and eternal life may look on with hope. A voice withii: declares that, being on the side of eternal right, we must, so far, win. The struggling Church of Christ feels the force of the same conviction which gives the foretaste of victory. 3. The manifest improvement in one's condition proportionate to desire and ejfort. In so far as Israel's desire and effort were sincere and carried through, to that degree did the personal, domestic, and national life rise above the baneful circumstances resulting from former sins. Every good feeling, e'°'ery tear of penitence, every casting away of idols, left its mark on the surface of society, and indicated what might be expected if only the reformation be carried through. God g-ives according to our work. Likewise all Christian desire and effort succeed so far a8 they are genuine. The acquired results of fidelity to God confirm the truth that everything promised shall in due time be realised. Each step in the ascent heaven- wards is to a clearer view of the summit of our ambition. 4. T!te assured sympatlty of the great lntercegsor. Perhaps nothing gave downcast Israel so much encournge- mcnt of final restoration to God, with its ulterior consequences, as the effort of Samuel, the chosen prophet, to assure them of his full sympathy. Ho was. their friend, and in him they found solace and hope. As a pretigurement of the one true Intercessor we see here what reason we have for boldness. The pains which Christ has taken' to assure every earnest soul personally, and the Church collectively, of his deep sympathy are most extraordinary. By word, deed, tears, sorrow, death, yes, by resumed life and outpouring of the Spirit, he would have us know that we- al!l not alone. The past may be black and full of sadnei;;s, but with him as Helper and Friend who may not hope on ? 5. The co-operation of Providence. Providenc& OR VII. 1-17.] THE FIRST DOOK OF SAMUEL. 129-