May 9

"I am as a wonder unto many." — Psalms 31:7.

THESE words may be understood in three ways; literally, typically, and spiritually. Let us consider them,

IN A LITERAL SENSE, AS THEY WILL APPLY TO DAVID. He was a wonder to many in his trials. These were numerous and of various kinds. Some of his severest sufferings arose from those who ought to have been his greatest comforts. What must have been his feelings when Absalom his son rose up in rebellion against him? He was no less a wonder to many in his deliverances. God interposed in a most remarkable manner on his behalf. What a narrow escape was it when Saul cast a javelin at him — when Absalom's conspiracy was frustrated, and Ahithopel's counsel came to nought! When he was again restored to his kingdom in peace, he was a wonder to many. Look at the words

IN A TYPICAL REFERENCE, AS THEY WILL APPLY TO CHRIST. "All things must be fulfilled," said our Saviour, "which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me." I would rather be accused of finding Christ where he is not, than of not finding him where he is. In the exposition of Scripture, I would rather go out of my road to meet him, than that he should cross my path, and I not see him. Jesus is a wonder to many in the extent of his love — in the depth of his humiliation — in the severity of his sufferings — and in the riches of his grace. View the words

IN THEIR SPIRITUAL MEANING, AS THEY WILL APPLY TO THE CHRISTIAN. Joshua and they that were with him were men wondered at; so is the believer. He is a wonder to the world. The men of the world cannot understand the principles on which he acts, nor the motives by which he is influenced. They think it strange that he runs not to the same excess of wickedness as they do — that he finds pleasure in those exercises which would be a drudgery to them — that Jesus whom they look upon as a root out of a dry ground, is to him the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley. He is a wonder to himself, when he thinks of the change he has experienced — the scenes through which he has passed — the battles he has fought — the prospects he has in view. May not the unbeliever adopt the language? He is a wonder to many — angels wonder at him, that he should make light of those things which they desire to look into — Christians wonder at him — devils and lost souls wonder at him: what would they give for the golden beams of the day of grace?