July 29

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. - Psalms 37:23.

THOUGH God has declared that the way of man is not in himself, and it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps, still he has not left us without encouragement. For he has given us the assurance that if we acknowledge him in all our ways he will “direct our paths.” And we may notice here three grounds of encouragement. First, God is able to direct our paths. His understanding is infinite. He sees the end from the beginning, and knows what is best upon the whole and in the end. And-

“Since all the downward tracts of time

His watchful eye surveys,

O, who so wise to choose our lot

And regulate our ways.”

Secondly, God is willing to direct our paths. He is so condescending as to bestow upon us his counsels and his care. There is something exceedingly wonderful in this, and we may well exclaim with David, “Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him; and the son of man, that thou visitest him? and with Job, “What is man that thou shouldest magnify him, and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” Yet so it is; the Lord careth for us. And when we come to the cross, and when we reflect upon what God has done there, there is nothing incredible in this assurance; for “he that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things?”

Thirdly, God has engaged to direct our paths; he has said, “The meek will he guide in judgment, the meek will he teach his way.” And he says by Isaiah, “I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” These are the true sayings of God; and as these promises are “exceedingly great and precious,” so they are all, “yea and amen in Christ Jesus, to the glory of God by us.” Talking and doing may be different things with men, but they are not so with God. “Heaven and earth may pass away,” and will pass away, “but not a word shall fail of all that the Lord hath spoken.”

Let us endeavour to realize this, and to “commit our way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass,” or render the failure a blessing. Thus our “soul shall dwell at ease.” Thus we shall” live in quiet from the fear of evil.” Thus “he will keep our mind in perfect peace, being stayed on God.”

What can we want more than to be able to say, as we may say, “This God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death.”