II. A DEEP INWARD NEED ARISING OUT OJI' THl8 EXPERIENCE. It is implied hem that man circumstanced thus needs help. He knows not how to bear the ills of life unaided 11nd alone. He who has to face the pitiless storm needs to be robed to resist the stress of adverse weather, and he who has to confront the foe requires to be armour- cl11d. This need of the sorrowing heart cannot be supplied by earthly sources. Tho world'B cheer then comes to the man like songs to a. heavy heart, and he bas no taste for its music. Scepticism can cast no bow of promise a.cross the cloud; whilst human philosophy may counsel the cherishing of the spirit of indifference, but which under the presRure it is impossible to cultivate. Ill. Tms NEED AMPLY MET m GoD. "He is a. Stronghold in the day of trouble." The figure is a. very striking one. There stands the castle with its thick walls a:id buttresses and its brave defenders ready to resist any attack. The foes attempt a landing, and the inhabitants, old and young, hasten to the fortress. The drawbridge is lifted, the moat is filled with water, and a.11 a.re safely lodged in the stronghold, and in the day of visitation a.re securely guarded a.nd safely kept. Even thus is it with the good in " the day of trouble." So David cried, "Thou hast been a Shelter for me a.nd a Strong Tower from the enemy" (Ps. lxi. 3, 4). God was his "Light and bis Salvation " (Ps. xxvii. 1), his "Pavilion" (Ps. xxvii. 5), the Solace of his every grief a.s well as the Centre of his every joy. He loved him, he trusted him, he knew that the dearest experience in life is the experience of God's love and ea.re. So Hezekiah and his people when threatened by Sennacherib. The Assyrian army gathered in all its strength around" the city of God," and Jerusalem became a.s a. mountain shaken by the swelling of the sea, portions of which were crumbling and falling through the violence of the waves, and the whole of which seemed ready to be borne entirely a.way; yet the king ~nd his subjects were ea.Im and tranquil; they committed their ea.use to '-' the Strong One," and rested in his protection, and cried with holy fervour, "God is our Refuge and Strength," etc. (Isa. xxxvi.; xxxvii.; Ps. xlvi.). And let us only realize tba.t Jehovah is to us a living Presence, the Source of O)lr inspiration., the Strength of our hearts and our abiding Portion, and we s1lajl give to the winds all craven fear, and in our darkest seasons shall sing-:- ' "'A· 8J1re ·Stronghold our God iB he,- •,· ' A timely Shield e.nd Weapon; Our Help he'll be, and set ns free From, ever-, iltcan llappen. And were the world with devils filled, All eager to devour ue, Our souls to fee.r shall little yield, They cannot overpower ue." B.D. H.
Ver. 7.-The Divine regard/or trustin_q hearts. "And he knowetb them that trust in him." Something more than mere acquaints.nee is involved here; the meaning undoubtedly is thn.t he intimately and lovingly regards those who commit themselves and their way unto him, and will tenderly care for them and promote their weal; yea, still more, even that he knows and cares thus for such personally and individually, not overlooking any of them in the multitude, but regarding thus ea.eh and every such trusting heart. L THIS TRUTH ADMITS OF AMPLE CONFIRMATION. There is something very wonderful in this thought. Is it not almost past conception that he who has the direction of all worlds dependent upon him, and whose dominions are so vast, should look upon his servants in this small world of ours, separately and with loving regard, and should interest himself in our personal concerns? So too, a.wed and humbled as we stand in the midst of the vast and mighty works of God, we feel impelled to cry, "When I consider thy heavens," etc. (Ps. viii. 3). Yet that it is so is abundantly confirmed in the teachings of Scripture. 1. See this truth taught in type. Call to remembrance the breastplate of the Jewish high priest, that splendid embroidered cloth which covered bis breast, and in which were set precious stones bearing the names of the tribes of Israel. And did not those precious stoues, worn so lll1ar tha heart of tbo Ligb priest, symbolize the truth that all sincere sernnt~ of God are dear. 16 THE ROOK OF NAHUM. [cH. I. 1-lr:i.