February 26

"And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."—Acts 11:21.

THAT is, with the men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who preached at Antioch to the Grecians, the Lord Jesus. Let us observe

THE SUPPORT THEY RECEIVED. "The hand of the Lord was with them." Bodily members, as well as human passions, are ascribed to the Deity, in compassion to our ignorance: thus, as his countenance denotes his favor; his eyes, his wisdom and omniscience; so his hand and arm signify his power. In what respects was God with them?

To give them suitable qualifications for their work. The most splendid natural gifts and acquirements, a mind richly furnished with all the stores of human learning, will not qualify a minister for his arduous work, without the Spirit's teaching; but let the heart be divinely impressed and endued from on high, and the heralds of the cross go forth with all the earnestness of feeling, with the forcible appeal, "We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen," and we may confidently expect the Divine blessing.

To bestow his gracious presence on their work. They needed encouragement in the midst of so much persecution; and the consciousness that though the hand of their enemies was against them, the hand of the Lord was with them, animated and emboldened them in their work.

To impart his Divine blessing on their work. They had had a large measure of success. As they planted and watered, God gave the increase.

THE SUCCESS THEY OBTAINED. "A great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."

Its nature. "They believed." This was a saving faith, implanted in the heart by the operation of the Spirit. It was more than their embracing the principles of Christianity; it was the cordial reception of Christ.

Its evidence. "They turned unto the Lord." This is a true sign of genuine faith; its tendency is practical.

Its extent. "A great number." Thus there was a considerable addition to the church. The whole gives us a fine display of the wisdom of God in overruling events, which appeared to militate against his cause, for the extension and glory of it.