we
are forced to exclaim, "Thy judgments are a great deep!" But God here
pledges himself, that there will not be one redundant thorn in the
believer's chaplet of suffering. No burden too heavy will be laid on
him; and no sacrifice too great exacted _from_ him. He will "temper the
wind to the shorn lamb." Whenever the "need be" has accomplished its
end, then the rod is removed--the chastisement suspended--the furnace
quenched. "If need be!" Oh! what a pillow on which to rest thy aching
head,--that there is not a drop in all thy bitter cup but what a God of
love saw to be _absolutely_ necessary! Wilt thou not trust Him, even
though thou canst not trace the mystery of His dealings? Not too
curiously prying into the "_Why_ it is?" or "_How_ it is?" but satisfied
that "So it is," and, therefore that all _must_ be well! "Although thou
sayest, thou canst not see Him, yet judgment is before Him, _therefore_
trust thou in Him!"

"REMEMBER _THIS_ WORD UNTO THY SERVANT, UPON
WHICH THOU HAST CAUSED ME TO HOPE!"

17TH DAY.

"He is Faithful that Promised."

"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not
quench."--MATT. xii. 20.

Strength in the Weak.

Will Jesus accept such a heart as mine?--this erring, treacherous,
traitor heart? The past! how many forgotten vows--broken
covenants--prayerless days! How often have I made new resolutions, and
as often has the reed succumbed to the first blast of temptation, and
the burning flax been well-nigh quenched by guilty omissions and
guiltier commissions! Oh! my soul! thou art low indeed,--the things that
remain seem "ready to die." But thy Saviour-God will not give thee "over
unto death." The reed is bruised; but He will not pluck it up by the
roots. The flax is reduced to a smoking ember; but He will fan the
decaying flame. Why wound thy loving Saviour's heart by these repeated
declensions? He will not--_cannot_ give thee up. Go, mourn thy weakness
and unbelief. Cry unto the Strong for strength. Weary and faint one!
thou hast an Omnipotent arm to lean on. "_He_ fainteth not, neither is
weary!" Listen to His own gracious assurance: "Fear not, for I am with
thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will _strengthen_ thee; yea,
I will help thee with the right hand of my righteousness!" Leaving all
thy false props and refuges, be this thy resolve: "In the Lord put I my
trust: why say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?"