July 17

Pet will I trust in him. — Job xiii. 15.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. — MATT. xi. 6.

THE occasions of offence in the Christian life are many, and come from every side. John the Baptist was offended because he was imprisoned. The sisters Mary and Martha were offended when their brother, whom Jesus loved, languished and died. So it is still, and so it will be always. What Christ does we know not now. His conduct toward his dearest friends is often apparently very strange; they know disappointment, disaster, and death. As with Jacob of old, all things seem to be against them. Nevertheless it is Christ who gives sight to the blind and preaches the gospel to the poor. He it is who, though he was rich, for our sakes became poor. In the multitude of our thoughts within us these comforts should delight our souls. Come what may, the love of the cross can never fail; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Blessed indeed is it, though nature faints and fails, to look beyond the clouds into his face and say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him," then heaven comes down our souls to greet, and we have songs in the night, in the assurance that the same hand that was pierced for us is leading us by the right way to the city of habitation.

Far, far above thy thought His counsel shall appear, When fully he the work has wrought That caused thy needless fear.

J. WESLEY (Translation).