HOMILETICS. Vera. 1-4.-Loss of faith. The facts are-1. David, fearing lest he should fall Jy the hand of Saul, deems it better to go to the land of the Philistines. 2. He and hie family and attendants are received by Achish at Gath. 3. Saul, hearing of this seeks him no more. There is II latent thought in many minds that the great and good men of whom the Bible speaks ought to figure in Scripture as only models of excel- lence, and hence a sense of disappointment is experienced when, in its fidelity to facts, the Bible relates their failings and sins. Here we have David in despair of preserving his life by the means hitherto adopted; and in his evidently long and painful medi- tations on the path of prudence ( eh. xxvi. 19; cf. xxvii. 1) he comes to the conclu- sion to avoid collision with Saul by fleeiug to an enemy's country. This is not absolute despair, but despair of preserving life for the realising of one's vocation by the nieans consistent with that vocation and the character suited to it. Loss of faith in righteous means is, so far, loss of faith in God. I. PROTRACTED AND PAINF0L CONFLICTS MAY BF. INVOLVED IN ATTAINING TO THE EIGHEST PURPOSE IN LIFE. To become king in Israel and bless the world with wise rulership was the high purpose revealed to David ; and for moral reasons the long discipline of trial was inevitable. The position into which he was often brought seemed to render the accomplishment of life's purpose impossible, and the nearer the goal the more severe the risks of life. The more numerous his men and able his captains, the greater difficulty in preventing collision with Saul, and the more im- µussible to find food apart from trespass on property. A. righteous cause was there- fore a suffering cause. This is the case with us. Often Christians have been evi- dently called to a work for God, and yet become so beset with perils that the end for which they live seems impossible of realisation. How the heart becomes pained and oppressed with incessant struggle with evils that stand in the way of a rise to per- fect holiness I The enemy is ever upon us, and humanly speaking it seems as thoug·h \Te some day shall fall by his hand in spite of all endeavours of the past. 11. THERE ARE RECOGNISED MEANS RY WHICH THE HIGHEST PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO DE ATTAINED. David was to wait God's time, and not force the hand of providence. To make such movements as to avoid collision with Saul, to look up to God for pro- mised or implied help when, in spite of care, life is threatened, and to seize occasions for softening the heart of his foe, even if for a season only-these means hitherto bad been honoured with success, and, sb far as we can see, were the only lawful means. In attaining to our ultimate position as Christians we have to follow the ~piritual methods of the New Testament in humble dependence on God-watchfulness, absten tion from evil, evasion of deadly arrows and poison of adders, and whatever will keep the soul holy and true for Christ. In doing our work in the world we have to avoid falling into the power of the great enemy by severe simplicity, love of truth, spirit- uality of mind, and prayerful use of the gospel. So, in reference to any specific huly end in view, the means used are to be in harmony with the goodness of the end. ·we are not to do evil that good may come. Ill. UNDER THE PRESSURE AND l'AIN OD' LONG CONFLICT WE DEC0ME EXPOSED TO THE TEMPTATION TO SEEK RELIBB' BY NEW METHODS. Probably some degree of mental and physical exhaustion, accompanied with increa11ing worries of providing for a large following, laid David open to the thought of fighting the battle with bis difli.cultiee on new ground. There is a risk to the cultivation of our spiritual life arising from the weariness consequent on long trial. The tension may seem to justify and necessitat<:i diminished watchfulness and prayer-virtually a departure to new ground. In work for Christ, good men, when oppressed and worn <lown, and not attaining to their goal, are induced to think of expedients hitherto not approved, and apparently more C'a~y in application. This te111ptation gains force when, amidst the mental co11fu,io11 incident to weakness and disappoi11tment, the vniue of the securities giv,,11 11s by God is not 1 l'AM'. l. L 514 TIIE .I-'IHST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CR, XXVH. 1-12
<luh· asscssc<l. More consideration on the part of David of what secnritJ was implied in l,is being the anointed, and in the repeated assmance of God's intention to raiso him to the throne, would have induced the com·iction that, using ordinary means in ,Judah, he mu.st be safe from Saul. Temptations gain power when we fail to consider that the promises of sah·ation and of blessing on our toil are yea and amen in Christ Jesns. JV. A SLIGHT DALLYING WITH TEMPTATION DURING A LONG CONFLICT MAY ISSUE IN A :-; f.GLECT OF PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT. The fall of good men is seen, but the real causes are not. The probability is that during his absorption in details he may ban lost the spirit of devotion which hitherto had distinguished him, and hence his decision in this case without seeking counsel by the Urim. The secret departure of the J1eart from God is fraught with mischief and trouble. We then devise means of our own and distrust those whicJ1 God has blessed, Then it is that we becor?~e faint and despondent and impatient, and, while not renouncing our life's calling of God, yet we pursue it in a manner inconsistent with our profession. Near to God in private life, humble dependence on his daily strength and guidance, this alone fosters faith in his wisdom and protection, and saves from recourse to expedients tliat reflect on his care. General lessons :-I. Temporary ease in a righteous cause may mean loss of spiritual power and a beginning of disaster. 2. .A course of duty hitherto successful for the ~pecific purpose in view, though very painful, ought never to be exchanged for an- other line of conduct. 3. If we would endure hardness as good soldiers we must be one in fellowship with the Captain of our salvation. 4. In the service of God the weight of evidence is in favour of confidence and against fear, and we misread God's word and discipline when fear prevails.