February 9

"And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah."—2 Chronicles 32:8.

THERE are those upon whose words I can rest myself, and who out of weakness make me strong.

They are those who maintain an intimate and familiar fellowship with God. Like Hezekiah, like Elisha, like Moses, like Paul, they endure as seeing Him who is invisible. Their trust pierces behind the outward shows of things, and behind the serried forces of the enemy, to the great and glorious throne of the King of kings. These are the men and women who keep me from fainting in the day of adversity.

They are those, too, who are confident that the honour of God is bound up with the deliverance and victory of His saints. His word is pledged to them. His exceeding great and precious promises have been made to them. His Son died for them. His grace and His glory are reserved for them in this world and the next. He will tarnish His character, He will contradict Himself, if He should fail and forsake them. They are certain of it, and their certainty cheers and revives me.

And they are those who triumph in advance over God's antagonists and their own. They do not require to wait for the actual shock of battle before their victory is gained. It is gained in anticipation, in hope and expectancy, in full assurance, long ere then. They see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, though just now the Assyrians are encamped not ten miles away from its walls. Such tranquillity cannot but breathe calmness into my soul. It lifts me to its own sublime and sunlit heights.

It is good to know these sons of God. It is better to be enrolled among them myself.