"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him; but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."-1 Sam. 30 :6.

In a time of change or disaster, the soul needs something to give it courage and stability. If the heart rests on that which is subject to change, or finds encouragement in that which passes away, it will partake of that change, and the experience will fall short. The dealings of God with His people are, for one thing, intended to bring them closer to Himself, and to make Him Himself the satisfying portion of their hearts.

The experiences of a Christian in this world are therefore suited to this end-a divinely blessed end. When Abram was called away from all that nature counted dear and sent to a strange land, thus becoming a pilgrim, he was, by those gracious dealings of God, made to know God Himself as his portion, as his "exceeding great reward" (Gen. 15:i).

And so Adam's sin turned out to his profit-to know God in grace as his portion. It is indeed the triumph of the Cross that could thus make God a portion and refuge for sinners.

Enoch and Noah walked with God. Blessed fellowship for those who no longer have a place in the world! In fact, one sees all the men of God of old stripped of everything that would hold their hearts to the scene where they belonged by nature, and tried in the fiery furnace, that they might be blessed in a new relation with God, and thus make Him alone their refuge. How often has God allowed the soul to be plunged into the darkest depths of despair, only to make His blessed face more than ever the light of our life! How often the heart is wrung in agony under the rod of loving discipline, only to make us realize what it is to have a Father's bosom to hide in! How often circumstances are allowed to arise that try the soul to the utmost, only to cast one wholly upon God. "But David encouraged himself in Jehovah his God."

David had lost everything, even the confidence of his men-all was swept away! But that was God's
opportunity. Even though previous failure is at the root of his present distress, he falls back where the heart should always be-upon the Lord his God, and is greatly blessed.

And so it is with God's beloved people now. They are in a time to try the faith to the utmost. The deplorable condition and fast-working departure and apostasy are enough to completely dishearten. The general weakness and the disaffection of those once counted faithful are enough to discourage. '' But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." The natural man cannot endure being shut up to God alone, for he neither knows nor trusts in God. He needs other hopes. This is the only hope we have. But what a blessed remedy to all despondency to encourage ourselves in the Lord our God! It is the only true and lasting remedy. And we need it. F. H. J.