The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 186

their brethren who are more richly equipped or less heavily weighted. We need to know much before we judge men. Only the Divine Father, who knows us altogether who knows, therefore, the limitations a.nd the propensities of our nature which we h11v~ received frotn himself or from our a.ncestoPS, ca.n say how much we a.re to be blamed· how much to be pitied. But undoubtedly there is- ' II. MoRA.L 'WEAKNESS, for which we e.re responsible, or which we are guilty. "Let not your hands be weak." But bow often the hand is wee.k because the life he.s been low, and because the heart ba.s been wrong I All 11ice leads down to weakness. And not '"ice 1tl0ne, but allfolly; the foolish and blameworthy disrege.rd of the laws of our mind e.nd of our body. Not only excessive indulgence in e.ny ono direction (mental or physical), but unregulated and ill-proportioned activity, ends in weakness• eo that he who might have been an active and efficient workman in many a good field of use- fulness is helpless; his band hangs down; there is " no strength in hie right hand" because there has been no wisdom in his mind. ' Ill. SPIRITUAL STRENGTH, which we a.re under obligation to acquire. There is much of real, effective strength which it is open to ns all to obtain if we will. God is saying to us, "Be ye strong ; " and if we do what he gives us the means of doing, we shall be strong. What are the sources of spiritual strength? 1. Christian morality. And this includes (1) the care of the body-the regnlatior, of its instincts and cravings ministering to its necessities; (2) the culture of the mind-increasing its knowledg; and nourishing its power; (3) the training of the heart. 2. Sacred service. Our capacity for serving Christ and man depends very largely indeed on our ma.king a continuous effort to serve. "To him that bath is given," i.e to him that puts out his t:llent is given another; to him that expends his strength in paths of holy usefulness is given multipliei power to speak and strike for God and truth. Our present stren()'th derends upon our growtl, in power; and that depends upon the mes.sure of our e:x:er~'ise in the field of sacred work. 3. Divine communication. "Thou answeredst me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul" (Ps. c:x::x::x:viii. 3); "In Christ who strengtheneth me" (Phil iv. 13).. Strength is one of the "good things" our heavenly Father will give to" them that ask him" (Matt. vii. 11).-0. Ver. 7.-The reward of <Jhristian work. "Your work sball be rewarded." The very words recur in the prophecies of Jeremiah (:x::x::x:i. 16); and the sentiment is fre- quently expressed by our Lord and by his apostles. It appears distinctly in the solemn statement of Jesus Christ, "The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father ..• o.nd then be shall reward every man according to his works" (Matt. xvi. 27; see also Rom. ii 6, 7; 1 Cor. iii 8; Rev. xxii 12). What is the reward for which we are to look? Not- L THE BEW ABD OF HIRED LABOUR. Hired labour is rewarded precisely and particu- larly. So much money for so much work, measured by the hours occupied or the work done. There is a nice calculation of what has been wrought on the one hand, and of what is given in exchange on the other. It is supposed that the one is the equivalent of the other. But our Divine Saviour does not call us into his field on this arrange- ment. We are not his day-labourers, engaged at a certain price; we are his fellow- workers--i!mployed under him, indeed, but engaged with him in the completion of his great "work." He is not treating us as slaves or even as common servants, but a.a children and as friends-a.s those whom he loves and desires to bless with true well- being. We aspire to- ll THE REWA.RD OF THE LAllOUB OF LOVE. Our Divine Master invites us to stand by his side and work out with him the redemption of our race. He charges us to be as he was in the world; to work as he did, in the spirit of entire self-surrender, of whole- hearted love ; to put forth our strength in hie service and in the ea.use of righteousness e.nd human elevation ; and he tells us that we shall secure a "full reward." We eh all find that in : 1. The possessi<m of his good pleasure. The true soldier finds hie best reward in the commendation of his commander ; the true scholar in the approval of his teacher; the true workman in the smile of him in whose service he ie engaged. We, e.s Christian workmen, look for our deepest joy in the smile and the approval of our Lord. We hope for no moment of keener ecstasy than that when we shall hear him l&f to us, "W e11 done, good and faithful servant I" To live in the known and fel, ctt. :lV. 1-Hl.J THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHl!.ONICLi!S. 187