1 Samuel 29:11

REFLECTIONS

I HOPE the Reader will feel his soul drawn out with mine, both to admire and adore the faithfulness of God, in his deliverance of poor David from the snare into which his want of faithfulness in his God had brought him. Surely none but a wise God could have found the means to have brought him out of the double danger into which his folly and sin had brought him. Apparently there was no way to escape, but either he must have proved a traitor to his country, or a traitor to his friend. And surely none but a faithful God would have given grace to have brought him out, when his own unfaithfulness had so justly forfeited the Lord's favour. But oh, thou dearest Lord! how plainly are we taught by this and every other instance, of thy passing by the worthlessness of thy people, that thou dust this not for our own sake, but for thine own great name's sake and thy glory. Hence, blessed Lord, thou dost manifest thy faithfulness in sending the trial upon the heels of our unfaithfulness. And thou dost manifest thy faithfulness in guiding us through the trial. And thou displayest the riches of thy grace and faith fulness, in making the termination of it minister to thy glory and our welfare. Oh precious Jesus! in every instance of my poor wanderings and unbelief, and fear, and the like, do thou so mercifully and so tenderly deal by me. And while thou dost compassionate my unworthiness, let thy grace be sufficient for me, and let thy strength be made perfect in my weakness. I lament, dearest Lord, that like David, I have too often thought and feared, that notwithstanding all thy past mercies and manifestations, I should one day be left to perish by the hand of the enemy. But in thy after grace in sending difficulties and hedging up my way with thorns, I have proved thy mercy. I can and do therefore set up my Ebenezer in all the proofs of thy love, and find cause to say with David, I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled.