courses of the stare. 3. HiB redemption of owr Boul. "I have redeemed thee." God might well claim to be Israel's Redeemer, for he bad mercifolly nnd mightily interposed on its behalf. But with how much greater reason may he claim to be our Redeemer! How much greater is that "great salvation" by which he "saves his people from their sin," than that deliverance by which he rescued a people from political bondage or military disaster! The surpassing strength of this claim upon us is seen (1) in that it is a redemption from the very worst spiritual evils to spirit11al power anr\ freedom ; and (2) in thnt it was wronght at such a priceless cost ( l Pet. i. 18, H>). 4. His personal interest in every one ,if us. "I have called thte by thy namP,." The distinct and especial interest which Jehovah took in Israel has its counterpart in the inrlivirlual interest he takes in each one of his children. Christ has led us to feel that he follows the course of every human spirit with a parental yearning, with a Saviour's restor,1live purpose and hope. He calls us by our name. To each wandering, hacksli<ling soul he is saying, "Return unto me." To each striving, inquiring spirit he is saying, "De of good cheer; I will help thee." To each faithful workman he is saying, "Toil on ; I will come with a recompense" (eh. xxxv. 4). II. THE SURE STAY. "Fear not." 'l'here are many comforters who approach 11s and whisper these two words in our ear. Some of these are delusive, anrl others are imper- fect anrl ineffectual. It may be au ill-grounded complacency, or it may be favourable surroundings, or it may be human friendship; but the house of our hope, thus built upon the sand, may fall at any hour. If we would build our confidence upon the rock, we must rest on the promised stay of a reconciled heavenly Father, on the assured aid of an Almighty Friend, on the certain succour of a Divine Comforter. Having returned unto the living God, resting aud abiding in Jesus Christ, we may go forth to any future, however threatening it may be; for One is present with us in whose company we may gladly enter the darkest shadows. And if we listen we may hear a voice, whose tones we may trust in the wildest storm, saying, "Fear not : for I have redeemed thee."-C. Ver. 2.-Succou7' in SO'T"T'0W. It is bad indeed for us when our best friends become our worst enemies. Fire and water are two of our best friends so long as we have them under control: they warm, cleanse, nourish, fertilize, convey. But when they gain the mastery over us they overturn and consume, they injure and destroy both property and life; they thus become striking illustrations as well as fruitful sources of trial aud distress. I. THE GREATER il'FLICTIONB OF HUIIIAN LIFE. The terms of the text point to the larger rather than the lesser troubles through which we pass; thongh even the vexations and annoyances to which we are daily subject are experiences in which we need to summon onr higher principles if we would act rightly and live acceptably to God our Saviour. But it is the sterner sorrows, the more serious calamities, which most impera- tively demand all the resources at our command. We pass through the waters, we walk through the firo: 1. When heavy losses reduce our possessions and make us face narrow- ness of meaus, hard toil, or dependence on the charity of men. 2. When grievous dis- appointment overtakes us, extinguishing the l,right hopes by which our path had been lighted and our hearts had been animated and sustained. 3. When' sickness assails us, and onr strength fails, and we lie long on the couch of helplessness or pain. 4. When bereavement throws its dark shadow on our homeward way. 6. When the failure of those from whom we looked for good or even great things sends a pang through our HOUJ. II. THJ!I TRUE REFUGE OF THE SORROWFUL. II God is our Refuge . . . ll very present Help in trouble." He is "the Lord our God . . . our Saviour." We may count on: 1. His sympathizing presence. "I will be with thee." Our Divine Friend will be with us, so that we shall be able to feel thnt he is looking upon us with tender and pitiful regard. 2. His limiting powlfr. The rivers may rise high, but they shall "not over- flow" the man whom God is befriending. His hand is on the ndverse forces which oppress us, and there is a mark beyond which he will see that they do not come. 3. Hu sustaining grace. The fire may rage around his children, but such will be the resisting strength within that they "will not be burned." Their fl\ith and love will not fail; they will triumph, in spirit, over the worst distresses. 148 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAfAH. [oH, nm. 1-28,
m. THE oo:NDITIOlIS WHICH GOD REQUIDES. It is not every man, however he may stand with the Supreme, who may confidently count on this Divine succour. There must be: 1. Accepf-ance with God. God must be our God; Jesus Christ our Saviour• his service our portion. God makes no such promise as this to those who stand stub~ bornly aloof in waywardness or rebelliousness of spirit. It is his children who have a place of refuge (l'rov. xiv. 26). There must be also: 2. Submission of heart to his wi II. 8. ..4.ppeal for his help. " Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee," etc. (Ps. l. 15).-C.