rthly career. Dangers seen sometimes appal us, or
appal those who love us: but they are not more real than many we
never dream of. Why do we live so safely, then? Because the LORD GOD
is a Shield.

Foes, too, are never far from us. The world, the flesh, and the devil
are very real; and unaided we have no power to keep or deliver
ourselves from them. But the LORD GOD is a Shield. It is a small
matter then to go to China, a very small additional risk to run; for
there, as here, the LORD GOD is a Shield. Should war break out, in
this we may be confident; for He has said He will never fail nor
forsake His own. Only when our work is done will He take us home; and
this He will do whether we serve Him here or there. To know and to do
His will--this is our safety; this is our rest.

Sweet are his promises--grace will He give, and glory. Grace all
unmerited and free--that which is really for our good, for CHRIST'S
deservings, not for ours. And glory too--glory NOW, the glory of
being His, of serving Him in each least duty of life, and glory in
the soul. Glory apparent, too, as with unveiled faces we behold and
rejoice in His glory, and reflect it ever more and more. And glory to
come, when we have done and suffered His will here, and are "for ever
with the LORD!"

"No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." Ah!
How often, when we have been dissatisfied with the ways of GOD, we
ought to have been dissatisfied with our own ways! We did not think,
perhaps, that in some matter or other we were not walking uprightly.
If not so, however, then the thing we desired was not for our good,
and therefore was not given; or the thing we feared was essential to
our good, and hence was not withheld. We are often mistaken: GOD,
never. "No good thing will He withhold": shall we be so foolish, so
wayward, as after this to desire that which our Father in heaven
withholds?

But sweet as are GOD'S promises, the PROMISER is greater and better.
Finite human words fetter the expression of the heart of the Infinite
GIVER. Hence if we had claimed all the promises, had opened our
mouths most wide, and had asked with all the blessed presumption of
loved and favoured children--yet, above and beyond the promises, He
would still be able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or
think. He delights to do so! Let not low thoughts, GOD-dishonouring
thoughts, unbelieving, distrustful thoughts, limit His blessings; for
"No good thing w