2 Samuel 22

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXII.—Such as God has intended for great honour, or who follow Jesus into his kingdom, may be assured of meeting with many enemies by the way. But what was in the promise the object of our faith, will, in the fulfilment, become the matter of our praise. Behold what God is to his people! Every thing they can need; every thing they can enjoy. Happy those who can claim this infinite ALL, in every form, as their own. To awaken their importunity, and to magnify God’s love and power in their deliverances, God’s people are often reduced to the deepest distresses: and those whom he most delights in have the severest exercises of their faith and patience. But the sharper 41 43our trials, let us call the more earnestly upon God. Perseverance in prayer will assuredly be crowned with deliverance—amazing deliverance! What a mercy is it to receive grace to watch and wrestle against the sins which do so easily beset us—to have the testimony of a good conscience—and to have God freely rewarding his own grace in us! Great is the advancement of God’s people. And it is reasonable that God should have the glory of all that strength, success, or honour, with which he hath blessed us: yea, the more God has done for us, the more good we may expect at his hands. And the more confidently should all our faith, our thanksgiving, and our joy, centre in Jesus Christ our Lord. 4 M