The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 546

long p11et or recent; the consciousness of proneneee to evil. 3. Spiril'U,(U gloom. When the lights of heaven seem blotted out, and God seems himself to have deserted the soul (Pe. xxii. I, 2; xiii.), 4. Troubles. Afflictions of body; bereavements, making dark the home; unkindness or unfaithfnlneas of friends; worldly losses. When all othor lights go out, and leave in gloom, God remains, the Light of his friends, and will in due time lighten their darkness. Let all, then, accept this glorious Lamp for their guidance and comfort. How bleBBed the world of which it is said, "There shall be no night there . . . for the Lord God giveth them light;" and again," 'l'he glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light ther~of" (Rev. xxii. 5; xxi. 23) 1-G. W. Ver. 31.-Perfection of God1s way and Word. These words may he regarded as a brief summary of the lessons which David had learned from hie varied experiences and meditations. They are the perfection of God's way, the unmixed truth of his Word, and the safety of all who flee to him for protection. I. THE PERFECTION OF Gon's WAY. "His way is perfect." This is true of all his proceedings, in every department of his operations. His ways in nature are to a large extent inscrutable; but we are sure they are infinitely wise and good. His method of redeeming and saving sinners is perfect. But here the reference is rather to the course of his providence-the way in which he leads, gove.ns, protects, and delivers his servant8. 1. The meaning of the assertion. That God's way is perfectly wise and good and holy, perfectly adapted to fulfil the purposes of his love towards his children, and leads to an end that is perfectly good. That, in comparison with the way we might have preferred, it is infinitely superior. 2. The grounds of the assertion. It expresses a conviction which springs from: (1) Reason. Because God is perfect, his way must he. Perfect Wisdom and Goodness cannot err; unbounded power carries into effect the determinations of perfect Wisdom and Goodness. (2) Revelation. Holy Writ is in most cases our first source of knowledge as to God and his ways; and it abounds in declarations adapted to assure us, in the midst of all our perplexities respecting the mysteries of Divine providence, that the ways of God are right and good, and will issue in good to those who love and obey him. (3) Experience. Lookiug back on his own life, with its many difficulties; struggles, and-.perils, David could see enough of the way of God in ·it all to a.waken in him a profound conviction that it was a perfect way. And no one who serves God can fail to recognize this truth in his own life, however much may remain at present dark and difficult. (4) Observation. By which the experience of others becomes available for ourselves. In this we may inclnde the recorded experience of others in biography and history, in the sacred or other books. The history of the Church and of individuals abounds in instances adapted to increase our confidence in the perfection of 'the Divine way, while leaving vast spaces of unsolved mystery. 3. The influence which this truth should have upon us. (1) Thank- fulness and praise. (2) Unwavering confidence, however dark some of the Divine proceedings may be, whether towards ourselves or others. (3) Cheerful submission to the guidance and government of God. II. THE PURITY OF Gon's W OBD. It is " tried ; " literally, "smelted," and so purified and refined, as metals by fire.(comp. Ps. xii. 6, "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times"). '!'he meaniD!( is that God's Word is thoroughly genuine, true, sincere, free from every particle of opposite qualities. The statement applies to every word of God-his declarations, revelations, precepts, promises, aud threatening8. It is most probably made here as to his promises. These are all thoroughly true and reliable, free from error, free from deceit. For God: (1) Cannot lie (Titus i. 2). (2) Cannot mistake. Knows perfectly all the future, all possible hindrances to the accomplishment of his purposes, and his own power to oonquer them, (3) Cannot change. Not in purpose; not in power. Thus whatever tends to throw more or less of uncertainty upon human promises is absent from the Divine ( see further •on eh. vii. 28). The W oru of God is "tried" in another sense of the Hebrew word. It has been "tested," put to the proof, in ten thousands of instances, and has ever been found true. 'l'he experience of every believer testifies to its perfect truth; and the experience•of the Church, and of the worlu. in its connection with the Church, throughout all ages, gives the s11111e 11,ssur&ncii, 'l'hei:1: l, 1.;et us trust the Word ~~~ 2a 1162 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, [cu. xxu. 1-51,