July 10

To this we may add, separation from godly intercourse. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth a man his friend by hearty counsel. Paul was sad; but when he saw the brethren, he thanked God and took courage. "Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God." Thus two are better than one. A Christian will often be tempted to imagine something singular in his views and feelings, especially those of a sorrowful kind; but a fellow believer will be able, by opening his experience, to turn the stumblingblock into a way-mark, and convince him that all the subjects of divine grace have passed through the same exercises. Having seen the treachery of his own heart, a Christian is afraid of any encouragement offered from that quarter, till he has consulted with a wiser than himself in the things of God. His own prayers seem not to deserve the name of grace or of supplication, but he is cheered by learning that he has an interest in the petitions of those who have power with God, and can prevail.

But finally, what says James? "Ye have not, because ye ask not; ye ask and have not, because ye ask amiss." And what said the Saviour to his disciples? "Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive; that your joy may be full." Therefore open your mouth wide. Therefore pray not according to the sense you have of your unworthiness—this would strike you dumb; but according to the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards you by Christ Jesus. Think of the unspeakable gift; and having boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him, say, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

JULY 10.—"And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."

THE person spoken of is Abraham. The promise is contained in the preceding verses, and was delivered in the form of an oath. "For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, saying, Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." He had obtained the promise itself long before; but the meaning is, that he at length obtained also the fulfilment.

Now they that are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. He was called the friend of God; and they are all precious in his sight, and honourable, and he has loved them: and of each of the sons it will be said in due time as it was of the father of the faithful; "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."

The believer's dependence and expectation are placed upon the promise of God. He would have nothing to sustain his hope, but for some divine intimation and assurance. God therefore from the beginning spoke in a way of promise; and in a way of promise he always deals with his people. He could have done for them all that he purposed to do without announcing it previously, but then they could have derived no advantage from it beforehand; and as they

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could not have known it, they could not have trusted in it, and acted upon it, and pleaded it in prayer, saying, "Do as thou hast said." A promise is more than a simple declaration: it is an express engagement by which a man lays himself under an obligation, and does not leave himself at liberty to act indifferently. And this, with reverence, applies to the conduct of the Supreme Being. But it is obvious that God's promising must have originated in his own undeserved goodness: for not only are his promises exceeding great and precious, but we were not worthy of the least of all his mercies and of all the truth which he has showed unto his servants. Yes, while we had no claims upon him, he had claims against us; and could righteously have punished us as transgressors. Let us only imagine that God had not as yet spoken concerning us at all, but was about to do it; conscious of our guilt, we could have expected nothing but a certain fearful looking-for of judgment; and, like Adam and Eve, hearing the voice of God, we should have endeavoured to hide ourselves for fear. But be astonished, O heaven, at this, and wonder, O earth; he is good and ready to forgive! and comes forward and assures us that the thoughts he thinks towards us are thoughts of peace, and not of evil! and that all things are provided and ready for our relief!

As soon as we are born of God we are his children, and if children, then heirs; and as such we have a title which no enemy can invalidate to all the promises. But the promises are not always immediately accomplished, and hence a period of "patient enduring" is necessary. God indeed is not slack concerning his promise: he is never a moment beyond the appointed season. Yet, according to our wishes and apprehensions, he seems to delay: for ignorant of his time, we often fix one ourselves, and thereby not only show our folly and presumption, but expose ourselves to disappointment. When God promised Abraham a son, for many years he went childless. And how long did things grow more dark and discouraging before Joseph could see any probability of the fulfilment of his dream. It is often the same now in the history and experience of believers. Their prayers may seem disregarded. Their iniquities may prevail against them in the sense of their guilt, and in the stirring of their power. The battle may wax hotter and fiercer, and victory apparently decline. The land that is to be given them, measured by their feelings and fears, seems very far off: and they are frequently ready to say, "Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Doth his promise fail for evermore?"

This season of waiting is very trying, especially when the blessing is earnestly desired, and we are pressed down by outward trials. When it cometh, it is a tree of life; but hope deferred maketh the heart sick. During the suspense the enemy is busy to produce distrust and despair, and to lead us to say, Why should I wait for the Lord any longer? But, in opposition to this, faith will whisper, "Wait on the Lord," and, "Be of good courage." It is good for a man not only to hope, but "quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." It will keep him from entertaining those hard thoughts of God which always furnish bitter reflections after he has appeared to our joy; and also prevents our using unhallowed means to help out our eagerness—like Rebecca, who though she knew the elder was