February 19

I will remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites. - Psalms 42:6.

THERE are two ways in which we may understand these words-both instructive, and perhaps both included. First, As an expression of determined confidence; as if he had said, “In whatsoever situation, place, or circumstance I may be found, I will remember God, and I will hope and confide in him.” How often in the Scriptures do we find good men imagining the worst, and yet hoping for the best! Thus the church in the days of Habakkuk, after surveying their condition, and finding every indication of prosperity destroyed, says, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Thus David sang in the 98th psalm, a psalm of which Luther was very fond, so that when his timid but good friend Melancthon, who had not his fortitude, was distressed, “Come,” says Luther, “let us sing the 98th psalm, and let Rome and hell do their worst.” And so says David here, as if he had said, “Wherever I am, O my God, I will think of thee; and if banished from my own palace, and deprived also of thy sanctuary and public ordinances, I will think of thee and be comforted.” And so may we say, whatever may be our circumstances, I will call thee to remembrance, and exercise confidence in thee. Thou, Lord, only art “my portion in the land of the living.” And in whatever situation, however disadvantageous and trying, I may be found, I will remember thee.

Secondly, Then we may consider it also as an expression of confidence derived from reflection. He would remember God “from the land of Jordan,” etc., because he had been there, and had experienced there what would always serve to increase and confirm his confidence in God. He does not tell us what God had done for him in these places, but it is obvious that they had been scenes of divine manifestations and inter positions. Let us call to remembrance what God has done for us in providence and grace what proofs we have received of his kindness, faithfulness, and power. It is our duty and privilege not only to notice God’s appearances for us at the time, but to treasure them up in our mind, that we may recur to them; for they were intended not only for our immediate relief, but in order to be cordials against our future faintings.

“His love in time past forbids me to think

He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink;

Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review

Confirms his good pleasure to help me quite through.”