August 12

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."—Job 13:15.

FAITH is an invaluable grace—it is justly represented as the spring that sets all the golden wheels of love, comfort, and peace, in motion; like the bee, it sucks sweetness out of every flower; it discerns a rainbow in the storm, and sees the sun behind the darkest cloud. We have heard of the patience of Job, whose language we are now to consider. We have here

AN EXTREME CASE SUPPOSED. "Though he slay me." In what respects may God be said to do this?

When he visits with severe affliction. How often are his dispensations towards us enveloped in darkness! and where we expected to pluck the rose of comfort, we are pricked with the thorn of sorrow.

When he withholds Divine comforts. These are trying seasons to the Christian, in which he exclaims, "Oh that I knew where I might find him!"

When he deprives us of endeared connections. How many have to mourn with David, "Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness." With them how many of our fond hopes and expectations are blighted and slain?

When he brings us to death itself. The period, manner, and circumstances of our dissolution are all under his sovereign control. Our times are in his hand.

THE ENTIRE CONFIDENCE EXPRESSED. "Yet will I trust in him." This is not a presumptuous or vain hope, but a well-grounded confidence. It is fully justified, and happy are they who can exercise it. In doing it you have a four-fold warrant:—The faithfulness of his character; for "he is not a man, that he should lie:"—The death of his Son; by this the everlasting covenant is ratified:—The promises of his word; these are your rod and staff to lean upon:—The experience of his people: "Our fathers trusted him, and they were not ashamed." Let us follow the track which they pursued, and avail ourselves of the way-marks of experience they have erected. Lord, show me the footsteps of thy flock; and where I cannot trace thy way, help me to trust thy wisdom.

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