The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 266

"strength," comp. 1 Sam. xv. 29; Ps. xxvii. 1; xxix. 1; Job ix. 19; Pa. xlvi. 1; l:s:ii._ 11; lxvi!)· 34; lxxiii. 26, etc.; Isa. xxvi. 4; xlv. 24. For "face," comp. Pa. xxx1. 16; l.x:vn. 1, etc. I. Gon's STRENGTH STRENGTHENETH '.MAN. Open and explain that man's physical energy depends upon his vital, force, and his religious life upon his spiritual force. God bas access to these secret sources, and can renew them with his own vitality. He "strengtheneth us with strength in our soul." He makes" all grace abound, so that we may have all-sufficiency in all things." 'l'he experience of the religious life unfolds the marvellous adaptations and fitnesses of Divine grace to the thousandfold needs that arise. No matter what may be our circumstances of perplexity and difficulty, there is always strength for us in God. It may come as an efficient help for bearing actual life- burdens, or for doing actual life-duties ; and we should undertake none without prayer- fully seeking to lay bold of the Divine strength. How it can be perfect in human weakness, so that a man may be strong to bear the unusual ills, and zealous to do the unusual duties, of life, is taught us in the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, and, after him, in the example of his servant St. Paul. But we should be quite sure that it will come as an inward renewal, if it may not come for the achievement of material success. '\Ve may be "strong in the Lord and in the power of bis might ; " and this is the assurance of the eternal triumph, if it is not of the earthly. II. Gon's STRENGTH rs OON1'"EOTED WITH Gon's FACE. He gives his strength with a smile. The turning of his face towards us is the sign of his approval and acceptance. The influence of such a mark of Divine regard may be illustrated. 1. It cheers and encourages. "If God be for us, who can be against us'/" 2. It recovers us from depressions. There can be nothing overwhelming in our circumstances if God smiles on us. We look into his face and feel that they are causing him no anxiety, and so our heads are lifted up. He can make" ways in seas and paths in great waters." 3. It renews our fervour and zeal. The smile tells of such love that we feel we can do or bear anything/or his sak:e. 4. It glorifies the right; for it is only on that God ever smiles. He approves the good, but turns away from the evil. And that must ever seem to us to be the most beautiful on which God's smiling face can rest. Press, in conclusion, how the promises assure us that just these two things, or, better, this two-sided thing, God's strength and face, he is ever ready to give to those who with true hearts wait upon him. Those promises in effect say, "I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee." And the uplifted smile says, "I have loved thee with an ever- lasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee."-lt T. Vers. 12-14.-The contents of a godly memory. "Remember, recall the records of Divine dealings; set afresh before your minds your own personal experiences of the Divine goodness and mercy." The conception of the" solidarity of the race" is matched by chat of the essential unity of the race, in its mental and spiritual experiences, throu.,.hout all the acres. Really to know God's dealings with any one people is to 0 know his dealings with all peoples. And therefore the story of his relations with the Jews is so minutely recorded, and so graciously preserved for us on whom the" ends of the world are come." And yet, further, it may be shown that an individual experience really affords tn.e race-type. God is essentially to each what he is to all. We too often fix our attention on the changeable accideuts of a man's career, and then think that his experience is unique. If it were so it were of little use to keep any record of the Divine dealings with men, for one man's experience could not help another. What, then, are the usual contents of the godly memory? W o can only dee.I with such as are suggested by the terms of the verses before us. I. IT BOLDS ITS OWN PERSONAL MEMORIES OF Gon's GOODNESS. Not merely has the godly man a general belief in God and God's ~erciful ways, but he ~as_ t~e assurance that God has been merciful to him. He can see m page after page of his life s story how guidance, restraint, comfort, teaching, and strength have come in pre~ise adapta~ions to his own conditions and needs. He can speak of the" good hand of his God which has ever been upon him for good." The importance of fixing the m_emory of God's dealings by pious attention to them at the time, and by frequent review of them afterwards, Fhould be pointed out. A richly stored memory becomes an unfailing well-spring of comfort in later life. 'fo our view all our past should be dotted over with pillars we OJI, xvi. 1-43.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 2(i3