August 13

There he is not only the man and the sufferer, but the maker of all things: "all things were created by him and for him." Can we think too highly of such a Saviour? Can we confide in him too confidently? Can our interests ever fail in such hands? "I know," says Paul, "whom I have believed, and am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day."

A great one if we consider the immensity of the number he saves. These have been commonly few compared with their cotemporaries; yet the aggregate of them from the beginning is a countless multitude. But when we look to the future, we read of the nations of them that are saved. It is said, he shall sprinkle many nations. Yea, all nations shall be blessed in him: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

A great one if we consider the vastness of the deliverance he achieves. It is called "so great salvation:" inexpressibly, inconceivably great. What are all other salvations compared with this? They free us from some evils, this saves us from all evil. They confer some advantages, this secures every advantage. They are temporal, this is eternal: "Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; they shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end."

A great one if we consider that his sufficiency reaches beyond every extremity. Hence, says the Apostle, "He is able to save unto the uttermost." His blood cleanses from the greatest guilt. His grace can enlighten the darkest understanding, and soften the hardest heart, and subdue the most rebellious will—Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

But some may be ready to say, you need not enlarge here. We do not question his ability—but his readiness to save. Is he a willing Saviour? In answer to this, we observe, First, That the assurance of his ability is an implication of his willingness: for it would be useless, it would be worse than useless, it would tantalize and torment us, were we informed that our perishing condition was within the compass of his power, but not within the reach of his pity. And, Secondly, the sacred writers would think his compassion was taken for granted, and that no one could possibly doubt the inclination of his heart. Who, without our solicitation, remembered us in our low estate, and said, Deliver from going down into the pit, I have found a ransom? Who took upon him flesh and blood, and came into the world to save sinners? Who, when rich, for our sakes became poor? Who died for the ungodly? Who has said, and confirmed it by his oath, by his blood, and by every instance of his conduct, "him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out?"—"Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief."

AUGUST 13.—"And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it JEHOVAH-nissi."—Exodus 17:15.

It was upon the defeat of Amalek and his people that Moses built this altar for sacrifice and thanksgiving. But what is the import of the name he gave it; JEHOVAH-NISSI? The Lord my banner. A banner is a military flag, standard, or ensign, commonly coloured and figured, carried in war, and displayed to collect, re-

gulate, and encourage the troops. It would be needless and absurd to run a parallel between a banner and God. It is enough to observe, that it is not only applied to him metaphorically, but by a figure of speech, which puts a part for the whole: and intends that he is every thing to his people in the character of warriors.

It therefore reminds us that the Christian life is a warfare. There is no image by which, in the Scriptures, it is more frequently expressed. And though it be called "a good warfare," it is the most serious and trying in which we can ever be engaged; and every partaker of Divine grace can say, with Paul, "So fight I not as one that beateth the air." The person and things of the present evil world, the armies of aliens in his own heart, and the principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickednesses in high places constrain him often to exclaim, "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God." But the Lord is his banner! How full and significant is the language of Revelation. Not only, says David, does he enlighten and save me, but "the Lord is my light and my salvation." Not only, says the Church, does he aid and inspire me, but "the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song." A true Israelite not only says, "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth;" but my banner is Divine—is Deity itself: JEROVAN-NISS! We acknowledge and honour him as such four ways.

First, by voluntarily and inflexibly adhering to him as our Leader and Commander. "The Lord is my banner." I disclaim every other chief. I bring all my resources into his service. I am ready to stand or fall with him—His cause is my cause; and his enemies my enemies. If others desert, I will cleave to him with purpose of heart. I will follow him in all changes, and whithersoever he goeth. He shall choose my station, and show me where I shall contend; whether in private or in public life; whether with the evils of prosperity or adversity—I am not at my own disposal—Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

Secondly, by confessing him the Author of every success with which we have been crowned. It is no easy thing when we succeed to beat off all arrogance and self-glorying. We love to sacrifice to our own wisdom and our own strength. How much has God to do to hide pride from us! The army of Gideon must be reduced from more than thirty thousand to four hundred men; and these be armed only with lamps and pitchers, "lest Israel vaunt themselves;" and to compel them to exclaim, "His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory." The most becoming state of mind we can be in is to feel that we are nothing, and that God is all in all. And to this the Christian will be brought, and be ready to lay down all his honours at his feet. "I look back, and see many who have become a prey to their enemies, who once promised fairer than I have ever done. How is it that I have stood in the evil day; and yet stand? Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me. By thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my

feet did not slip. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Bless the Lord, O my soul."

Thirdly, by our courageously trusting in him to enable us to overcome in every future conflict. Knowing the vast, the infinite consequences depending on the issue of the war, it would be awfully discouraging and depressing to the Christian to fight uncertainly. But he does not, at least he should not, need not. There is a holy kind of confidence and triumph, more than allowed him, which nothing should shake. It is founded not in his own skill and resources, but in the perfections and engagements of his covenant God. "Has he not said, No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper? Has he not said, Thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high places? My soul shall make her boast in the Lord. In myself I am very unequal to the work; but I am not alone. The Lord is on my side. I am nothing, compared with my foes; but they are nothing, compared with the Lord of hosts. Infinitely greater is he that is for me than all that are against me. He will furnish me with supplies. He will well arm me for the field. He will teach my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. He will renew my strength, and make my way prosperous. Though a worm, I shall thresh the mountains. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Fourthly, by looking to him for the remuneration of victory at last. The soldier warreth in hope: and it is not wrong for the Christian, like Moses, to have respect unto the recompense of the reward. The reward is indeed of grace; but it is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. And while we look for it as the fruit of his mercy, we can claim it on the ground of his truth; for he has said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

JEHOVAH-NISSI!

August 14.—"Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."—Genesis 15:1.

Our misery or happiness depends upon the relation in which God stands to us. What an adversary must he be, who is everywhere present, who is Almighty, who has the command of every creature, and the direction of every event! Have we an arm like God, or can we thunder with a voice like his? If he be against us who can be for us? And if he be for us who can be against us? Blessed are the the people whose hope the Lord is; and who can claim Him as their helper, their guide, their guard, the strength of their heart, their portion for ever—their shield, and their exceeding great reward—"Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation."

"Fear not, Abram." But had Abram expressed any fear? God seeth the state of the mind. He knows the apprehensions which his people feel, and are ashamed to utter; and he provides for their relief; and from the remedy we may always infallibly infer the disease. Abram feared the presence of evil—Therefore says God,