without some measure of faith we cannot get comfort from the Word of God at all.

It is the believer's happy privilege to know that, even when all things seem against him, they are not so really. For he has committed himself and all his concerns into his Father's hands, and He is all-wise, Almighty, all-loving, and has promised that He will never fail those who trust in Him. He will surely keep His word. He will never forget them, never overlook them, never cease to care for them. He will watch over them for good, preserve them from evil, and bless them continually. Things may look dark at times, but it is only the outside of things that we can see. However things may look, the same unchanging God and Father is still ordering all; nothing can happen without Him, and He doeth all things well. Let us keep fast hold of this truth, and we shall never say, "All these things are against me." Rather, in the darkest trouble we shall see some light, some tokens of the hand of love that is doing all, some gracious sign that God has not forsaken us. And we shall gratefully join in the words of the Psalmist, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no

evil for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."

But some may shrink from taking this comfort to themselves, because they fear they are not of the number of those who love God. Yet God invites you to love Him. Do not turn away from Him, or have hard thoughts of Him, while you think perhaps that your hard thoughts are only of yourself. "God is love." He is good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Him. When all things seem against you, believe that God is thus dealing with you in order to humble you and lead you to Himself. He pities you, even while you are far off from Him. He would bring you near. Perhaps these very troubles are the appointed means. Seek Him from the very midst of them, from the very depth of pain, sorrow, anxiety, and fear. Seek Him in earnest prayer. Seek His mercy, His pardon, His grace. Plead the Name of Jesus. Approach the mercy-seat through Him. Ask that His blood may take away your guilt. Cast yourself upon the mercy of God in Christ, and then beseech Him to help you in every trouble.

Will He refuse your prayer?

Surely not.

All His Word says that He will hear, and answer, and bless.

If trouble be thus the means of bringing you to God, it will prove your greatest blessing. Then you will never say, "All these things are against me;" but rather, "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept Thy word. . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes."

D

74

CHAPTER IX.

THE LORD OUR PORTION.

PSALM XVI. 5-8.

5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.

6. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8. I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

THIS is only part of the Psalm. Some of the other part is a prophecy of Christ. We know this, because it is quoted so in the New Testament. But there is no reason why we should not consider these verses as applied also to David about himself.

The Psalmist was very happy in his mind when he wrote this Psalm: "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." What made him happy? The presence and blessing of God. Most likely at this very time he was in some danger or trouble outwardly; for he begins the Psalm with a prayer for preservation: "Preserve me, O God; for in Thee have I put my trust." Some think

that it was when he was living with the Philistines through fear of Saul. If so, there was indeed much to trouble him. Yet he says, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places."

The truth is, that David's happiness was not drawn from outward things, but from God. He says, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot." This was David's happiness; and this