August 7

We should be able also to make David's appeal as to the dispensations of Providence. His way is in the sea. The reasons of his conduct are inscrutable. Let us not attempt to correct what cannot be imperfect; or to criticise what we do not understand. Let us be still, and know that he is God. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?"

Aca. 7.—"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."—Psalms 131:2.

WEANED from what? Self-sufficiency, self-will, self-seeking. From creatures and the things of the world.—Not indeed as to their use, but as to any dependence upon them for his happiness and portion. The desire of his soul was to the Lord, and the remembrance of his Name; and his language was, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none on earth that I desire beside thee"—"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness"—"There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased."—No wonder he could say, "My soul is even as a weaned child."

Yet this experience is no easy attainment. The very form of expression—"I have behaved and quieted myself" reminds us of some risings which were with difficulty subdued. There is a difference here between Christ and Christians. In him the exercise of grace encountered no adverse principles; but in them it meets with constant opposition. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit; and when we would do good, evil is present with us—Hence the warfare within. So it is with "the child that is weaned." The task to the mother is trying and troublesome. The infant cries and seems to sob out his heart—He thinks it very hard in her, and knows not what she means by her seeming cruelty; and the mother's fondness renders all her firmness necessary to keep her to the process—and sometimes she also weeps at the importunity of his dear looks, and big tears, and stretched out hands. But it must be done—And therefore, though she pities, she perseveres—and after awhile he is soothed and satisfied; forgets the breast; and no longer feels even a hankering after his former pleasure.

But how is the weaning of the child accomplished? By embittering the member to his lips—By the removal of the object in the absence and concealment of the mother—By the substitution of other food—By the influence of time. So it is with us. We love the world, and it deceives us. We depend on creatures, and they fail us and pierce us through with many sorrows. We enter forbidden paths, and follow after our lovers: and our way is hedged up with thorns—and we then say, Return unto thy rest, O my soul—and now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee. And what says the Saviour? He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth in me shall never thirst: meaning, not only that they