November 14

He shall choose our inheritance for us. - Psalms 47:4.

FIRST, He has a right to choose. He has a right much greater than that of the potter over the clay; a right still greater than that of a father over his children; a right derived from absolute propriety. For has he not a right to do what he will with his own? What right have we to choose? We have neither made ourselves, nor redeemed ourselves, nor sustained ourselves. From his wardrobe we have been clothed, at his table we have been fed. He it is that draws the curtains of night around us, and tells creation to be quiet while we slumber and sleep; and his mercies are new every morning.

Secondly, God is qualified to choose for us. As the right belongs to him, so the ability belongs to him to judge, and his judgment is always according to truth. He can never be mistaken in his decision. He knoweth our frame. He can distinguish between our wants and our wishes. He knoweth what will be good for us, and what would prove injurious to us. But every thing unfits us for choosing our inheritance for ourselves. We are too ignorant, too selfish, and too impatient, for this purpose.

Thirdly, Let us remember that he has chosen for us already. Why then should we abandon him now? He has proved himself every day increasingly worthy of our confidence: then why should we not approve of his designs?

Fourthly, He is willing to choose for us still. Yes, this is wonderful, but it is true. If we had been placed under the direction and charge of any creature, even of an angel, he would long ago have abandoned us; but God has borne with our manners and perverseness in the wilderness. He has said, “I am the Lord; I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

Then, finally, observe that we shall never feel peace and comfort till we know that all is under the care and direction of our heavenly Father,-that he has undertaken the charge of our all, in answer to our resolution:-“ He shall choose our inheritance for us.”