August 23

Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. - Proverbs 19:6.

WE all naturally look towards creatures, especially if they are placed above us, if they are wealthy or powerful, and seek to gain their countenance and their assistance. But there are four differences between our seeking after the favour of a mortal and our seeking after the favour of God.

First, In seeking after the favour of a mortal we may debase ourselves; we maybe required to submit to mean compliances, and to make improper sacrifices in order to please such an individual. But in seeking the favour of God the very exercise elevates us; it dignifies, it improves, and profits us.

Secondly, In seeking after the favour of a mortal we are never sure of success. After toiling for weeks or years we may find that we have been labouring in vain, and spending our strength for nought; but if we seek the favour of God we are sure of succeeding. “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find;” “Their hearts shall live that seek God.”

Thirdly, If we gain the favour of a mortal we are never sure of retaining it. Who has not been tempted, in passing through life, with David to say in his haste, “All men are liars.” This appears to be uncandid and uncharitable; yet, after all, the Scripture says, “Men of high degree are vanity, and men of low degree are a lie: if they are tried in the balance together, they are altogether lighter than vanity.” “Confidence,” says Solomon, “in an unfaithful friend is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint,” not only useless but painful to us. Whereas if we obtain the friendship of God we are sure of keeping it. There is no changeableness with him; he is “without variableness, or the shadow of turning.” “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

And then, fourthly, If we could not only gain but even retain the favour and friendship of a superior mortal, yet what, after all, could it do? What could it do for us in the many emergencies and incidents of life? What could it do for us in the agonies of conscience-in the adversities of life-in a dying hour- and in the judgment of the great day? But when God says, “I will never forget thee,” this is saying everything; this meets every want, every feeling, every fear. Oh, his presence can sustain us under the loss of every possession, or comfort us under the loss of every relative or friend; and we may say with our Saviour, “I am alone, and yet not alone, because the Father is with me.” If he says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,” why, what is it but saying, I will guide thee with my counsel; I will keep thee with my power lest any hurt thee; I will sympathise with thee in all thy sorrows; I will attend thee in all thy afflictions; I will not suffer thee to be tempted “above that ye are able to bear;” “my grace is sufficient for thee;” and “my strength shall be made perfect in your weakness?”

On this assurance we may rely, and say with David, “Yea, 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.” Leaning on this assurance we may witness with composure the dissolution of the universe; and looking beyond it say, “We look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”