January 9

"He will be our guide even unto death." Psalms 48:14.

THIS assurance comes home to our ease and feelings. We are strangers and pilgrims upon earth. We resemble the Jews in the wilderness; we are not in Egypt, and we are not in Canaan, but journeying from the one to the other. We are delivered from our natural state, but before we can enter glory,

"We have this desert world to pass;

A dangerous and a tiresome place."

And as the Jews were not left to themselves, but had a conductor, so have we: "This God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." How perfectly, how infinitely qualified is he for this office. In a journey, it is unnecessary for the traveller to know the road, but the guide ought to know it; and when he is well acquainted with it, and we have full confidence in him, we shall feel satisfaction notwithstanding our own ignorance. Abraham went out, not knowing whither he went; but he knew with whom: and Job, after expressing his perplexities, and the successlessness of his efforts to explore the dispensation he was under, relieves himself with this thought. "But he knoweth the way that I take."

"Oh, who so fit to choose our lot.

And regulate our ways."

as He who sees the end from the beginning: who knows all our walking through this great wilderness; who cannot mistake as to what is good or evil for us; and who has said, "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight: these things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." If we had a wise and sure, but a sullen and silent leader, it would, deduct much from the pleasure of the journey. But our guide indulges us with constant intercourse. He allows us to address him whenever we please, and in every thing by prayer and supplication to make known our requests; while he condescendingly addresses us, talking with us by the way, and opening to us the Scriptures. He is also equal to all our exigences. Do we want food, refreshment, rest? He can supply all our need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Have we storms? "He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Are we exposed to enemies? What David said to Abiathar, who had fled to him in his jeopardy, He says to us, "Abide with me; for he that seeketh thy life seeketh my life; but with me thou shalt be in safeguard." I should not be afraid of the sights and howlings of the wood, if I had a lion at my right hand every step, and could depend upon his fidelity. A lion is the strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any. More than this is our privilege:

"A thousand savage beasts of prey Around the forest roam; But Judah's Lion guards the way, And guides the traveller home."

What human patience could bear with our manners and provocations? What creature-conductor is there, but would throw up his charge long before the journey's end? But He does not cast away his people. He never bays, nor forsakes them. This is their comfort, this is their hope, this is their security; the long-suffering of our God is salvation. "I the Lord change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

Yes; he will be our guide, "even unto death;" that is, till the journey is over, and all its cares cease. But is nothing more necessary? To death is much, but THROUGH death seems better. When we come to the entrance of the gloomy passage, it is pleasing to think that he is at the other side, and will receive us to himself, that where he is there we may be also. Yet how am I to get THROUGH? "My flesh and my heart faileth."

"Oh, if my Lord would come and meet, My soul would stretch her wings in haste; Fly fearless through death's iron gate, Nor feel the terrors as she passed."

And this case is provided for. All is insured. He will be with us THROUGH. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Amen.