July 14

"Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now have I kept thy word."—Psalms 119:67.

THIS is the testimony of David, and it is the experience of many a Christian; such a similarity is there in the sentiments, views, experience, and feelings of the children of God. David here

ADMITS A PAINFUL TRUTH. "Before I was afflicted, I went astray." The character of sin is a going astray, and sinners are wanderers: the subjects of grace are sometimes wanderers too. David confesses it,—"I have gone astray like a lost sheep." Whence does this liability to err, even in the best of men, arise?

From the vigilance of the enemy. He is ever on the alert, whether we sleep or not. He is said to go about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. While men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares. So while Christians are off their guard, the enemy comes upon them, and tempts them to go astray.

From the weakness of human nature. Thus Christians sometimes go astray from God and things divine, leave their first love, lose their zeal and ardor in the ways of religion, and follow for a time their own natural inclinations. But David here

ACKNOWLEDGES A PLEASING FACT. It is the benefit of sanctified affliction. It was the means of his restoration to God: "but now have I kept thy word;" you will see its adaptation to this end, if you consider its tendency

To lead us to serious reflection. This is the first step to our return. If we do not consider, it is not likely we shall mend our ways.

To discover to us our error. It points us to our imperfections and short-comings; and is like the candle of the Lord in the heart, to show us our vileness and treachery; or like the refiner's fire, to separate between the gold of grace and the dross of corruption.

To correct us for our sin. Affliction is the scourge which our heavenly Father uses to chasten and correct his children; by this he separates the sin that he hates, from the soul that he loves.

To induce repentance. This was the case with the prodigal. Before he was afflicted, he went astray; but affliction brought him to himself, to reflection, to contrition, and at last to the paternal roof. The expression, keeping God's word, is used to signify the duties and exercises of the Christian life. Let us learn to recognize the Divine hand in our trials. "Providence," says Charnock, "is God's lantern in many affairs; if we do not follow it closely, we may be left in the dark and lose our way."