IV. Suon EXPERIENCES WILL LEAD TlIE SAINTS TO CALL ON THEIR FELLOW- BELIEVERS TO HOPE IN THE LORD, AND TO WAIT FOK HIM, (Vers. 23, 24.) The new experience of God's loving-kindness and care, which is born of such deliverances in answer to prayer, gives believers wondrous vantage-ground in exhorting others to put their whole trust in the Lord. Not.a: 1. It is au iufinit.e mercy that God's provi- dential care has preserved to us these records of the struggles, the prayers, and the triumphs of his saints. 2. Those who have known the most trouble are those who can afterwards minister most comfort to those who are troubled (2 Cor. i. 3-5). 3. Let those who have known the depths of sorrow, and who have lee.rut how God can deliver, make their experience known to others (Ps. !xvi. 16-20). 4. How abundant even now is God's recompense for his people's sorrows, when he thereby gives them such tastes of his lo\"e e.s they could not else have had, and then makes them "sons of consolation" 1-C. Vers. 6, 15.-Duty and destiny. Let us place these two texts together, and we shall find that they become the more intelligible and the richer in instruction and comfort. I. Oua TIMES ARE FIXED BY Goo, We have no choice in the matter, no more than as to when we should be born. God is Sovereign, It is his prerogative to settle all things that concern us. Whatever comes of prosperity or adversity, or joy or sorrow is of his ordering. It is for him to rule, it is for us to trust and to obey. II. OUR SPIRIT CAN ONLY BE COMMITTED TO Goo BY OUR OWN DEED. We are free. When we act, we express the feelings of our hearts. To commit our spirit to God is to surrender ourselves wholly and for ever to his will, It ii only when we know and believe in God's love towards us, that we ce.n joyously do this transcendent thing that will settle our destiny for time and for eternity. III. IT IS ONLY WHEN WE HAVE IN TRUTH COMMITTED OUR SPIRITS TO Goo, THAT WE CAN TAKE COMFORT FROM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT OUR TIMKS ARE IN ms HAND, We should be careful to put that first which should be first (Matt. vi. 33). When the most precious thiug is safe, we need not be much concerned as to the lesser things. God has given us the greatest proof of his love, for he has redeemed us; we can therefore with quiet hearts leave to him the ordering of all things that concern us (Rom. v. 9, 10). "My times aro in thy hand;" and it is there I would have placed them if I had the choice (2 Se.m. xxiv. 14). "My times are in thy hand;" then come what will of vicissitude e.nd trial, nothing can befall me but what is of the ordering of God. "My times a.re in thy hand;" therefore I will be content and not fret; I will trust, and not be afraid ; I will work, and not be weary in well-doing. I will be patient and hope to the end, knowing that "all things work together for good to them that love God." "Into thy hands I commend my spirit." This I did at tho first, when the Lord Jesus called me; this I would do evermore during my ea.rthly course, after the example of thy saints; this I would do in the end, as our Lord himself has taught us.-W. F.
Ver. 8.-0pportunity. The young are eager for opportunities. Conscious of power, they fondly thick that, if only a fair chance were to come, they would be sure to make a name for themselves. But they a.re often disappointed. Perhaps they say it is uot their fault; but unprejudiced onlookers see that, through lack of insight, decision, or persevere.nee, they have failed. 'l'hey have let the tide, which, taken at the flood, would have led on to fortune, pass by. Life is full of possibilities. It is our wisdom to watch, to be on the alert, to make the most of opportunities. ,ve must be willing to begin where we are free to begin, and to do the duty, however humble, that lies nearest to us, as well as we a.re able, Honest work is the best training and preparation for advancement, Above all, we must have regard to the will aml doings of God. If we ask of him, he will give us light. If we wait upon him, he will let us know his will. If we do with our might what he give8 U9 to do, ho will enlarge our opportunities. We may take the text to illustrate what God does for his servants in the way of opportunity. The "large room" may apply to- I. CULTIVATION OF 011AnACTF.R. There may be circumstances which are unfavour- able.. It is much more dill1cult for some, from their birth nnu. surroumlings, to bCl 23! THE BOOK OF PSALTl{S. [PS. XXXI. 1-24.
good and to do ~ood, than for othei:9. Let us acknowledge God's love in placing us where we have lree play for our mmds, and every help and inducement to follow the things which a.re good. We are not in the dark, but in the li"ht; we are not confined nnd straitened, but in the enjoyment of freedom; we are not denied the use of air and food and exercise, but have the use of all that is good and fitted to nourish our strength and virtue, that we may grow up unto the stature of the perfect man in Christ Jesus. II. EMPLOYMEJIT OF TALENT. There may be some, as the poet sug<rests to whom opportunity has not come. b '
"Knowledge to their eyes her ample pnge, Rich with the spoils of time, did ne'er unroll" But it is not eo with us. God has not only given us talents, but also provided a sphere for their rightful and beneficent use. There are differences as re<rard 0 natural ability; unto some it is one talent, unto others two or more. But there is no difference as to opportunity. The command is laid upon all to work; and God's commands imply opportunity to all who choose to obey. If we are willin", "the large room" will be given us. b