March 9

Ebenezer. - 1 Samuel 7:12.

A ROMAN emperor has advised us to dispose of the three periods of time thus: the past to oblivion, the present to duty, and the future to Providence. To two of these admonitions we do well to take heed. Let us give the present to duty, “and whatsoever our hand findeth to do, let us do it with our might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither we are fast hastening.” Let us also give the future to Providence; casting all our care upon him, for he careth for us, being assured that, as the result of so doing, we shall possess the peace of God which passeth all understanding. But we dare not give the past to oblivion, for “God requireth that which is past;” and therefore we should remember and record it. We are too prone to forget the benefits we have received; but our time cannot be more profitably employed than in reviewing our past life. From such a review we may derive many valuable and instructive lessons.

This was God’s command to the Jews: “Thou shalt remember all the way the Lord thy God hath led thee.” Who is wise, and will observe these things, even he shall understand the lovingkindness of God. We should be frequently thus reviewing and recording the various scenes of life through which we may have passed. In so doing we shall be advancing our own humiliation, the glory of God, our gratitude to, and our own confidence in God, our own instruction, and the encouragement of others. There are stated seasons when this may be profitably done-on a birthday, or at the commencement of the new year, when passing on from one annual period to another. We should set up a pillar of grateful remembrance.

What have been our reviews of life? What praises have we rendered? Have they been according to the benefits done unto us? Some have by a succession of disappointments been brought low, but he has also helped them, and turned the shadow of death into the morning; others have been afflicted, and said, The graves were ready for me, but he sent his word and healed me; and I said, I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. And another has said, I have had to contend with corruptions within and temptations without, and yet “my foot has held his steps; his way have I kept, and not declined.” I have often been ready to halt, and even have sometimes said, I shall one day perish; but through thee “I have run through a troop, and by my God have leaped over a wall.” Therefore, as to the past, cannot we join issue with the grateful prophet, and say, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped me;” and connecting the past with the future, are we not warranted in saying with Newton-

“His love in time past forbids me to think

He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink,

Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,

Confirms his good pleasure to help me quite through.”