(1 Kings 8:15.)

Israel's golden age was during Solomon's reign. Brief indeed, and soon darkening into apostasy, it was the type of that glorious reign of the Son of David, whom no prosperity can affect, as no depth of sorrow could swerve from His allegiance to His God and Father. With Solomon, alas, it was the opposite; and his exaltation and fall but emphasizes the solemn fact that "no good in creatures can be found." It seems as though the care of our God, jealous for the honor of His Son, must show the imperfection of the type in contrast with the unsullied beauty of His Son. Even Moses and Elias in glory must stand aside for Him. Well do we know how gladly they would stand aside.

But type it was-this reign of Solomon-of the happy time coming for this earth. And no part of it was more clearly typical than the building and dedication of the temple-God dwelling among His people-happy in their rest from conflict, and satisfied with the abundant goodness of His house.

It was, then fitting that Solomon should use such words at the dedication of the temple:" Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with His mouth unto David my father, and hath with His hand fulfilled it." Such words, as we have said, could apply only in a partial way to Solomon's reign, or that of any of the kings of Israel. A glance forward or backward from that time will show this most clearly. Even our Lord's first advent was marked by national humiliation rather than glory. All was veiled; even in Himself, faith alone could say, "We beheld His glory." His triumphal ride into Jerusalem, amid the people's acclaim, was in some sense the antithesis of the Millennium, and the Roman dominated all.

But this language will yet be used, and a repentant, redeemed, restored nation will look abroad upon their land, again flowing with milk and honey, and upon the glories of "this latter house," covered with the Shekinah cloud, and say He "spake with His mouth and hath with His hand fulfilled it." Let us remember this, spite of the apostasy of Israel after the flesh, and the desolation of their land. One day -not far distant, we may surely believe – and the brief, sharp judgment-storm will break and sweep away the fetid clouds of man's small day and usher in "the day of the Lord." As regards the earth, faith can look forward to such a consummation, and even now in anticipation translate the glowing pages of prophecy into history, and triumph in the reign of the Prince of peace. What a privilege, as we look upon a groaning creation, with its ills that cannot be remedied, its wrongs that cannot be righted, and think of that time when "the wilderness and the solitary place shall rejoice."

So too we can apply these words to the heavenly hopes of the Church of Christ. Not yet do we see all that has been secured for us. In a certain sense, we see nothing. Even for faith, so far as the visible glory is concerned, all is future. And what a future, beloved brethren! Delivered forever from the presence of sin, even as already from its guilt; our poor, weak "bodies of humiliation" changed for "bodies of glory," like His who will come for us; the things which we now "see through a glass darkly," then " face to face;" above all, our blessed Lord, who loved us and gave Himself for us, who is on high for us now-to see Him, to be like Him and with Him forever-how blessedly will we know that God's hand will do all that His mouth has spoken. All that is revealed in His precious word will then be for sight even as it is now for faith.
And how this emphasizes for us the value of being familiar with the contents of God's word. Faith can find food there alone, and hope must stay itself upon that sure Word. If that be neglected, faith and hope will falter, and even love will grow cold. But where the Word is fed upon, there is the "continual feast" of a "merry heart"-made glad by the truth of God, and anticipating what will soon be.

And oh how soon will all be done! How near is the coming of the Lord. Then will we see how God's hand will do all that His mouth has spoken. May an ungrieved Spirit even now give in greater fulness the earnest of that blessed time.

But is there not a sense in which, as we look back over our own history, we can see this connection between God's hand and His mouth? Take the emancipating truths which once we looked upon as dimly in the future; has not the Spirit made them a present reality? Pardon, access to God, priesthood, worship-yes, these have been spoken of and made good too for the weakest babe who bows to God's word.

Turning to our more individual history, how many good things has the hand of our God given in fulfilment of the promise of His mouth. What child of God is there who cannot recount mercies thus given? And what an encouragement is this to prayer and patient waiting. All things are not held back till heaven. He is the God of the wilderness as well as of the land. Some can remember when circumstances of distress pressed upon them, poverty, debt, sickness. Earnest resort was had to God!

His promises were recalled, and now the fulfilment of His word is celebrated. True, he does not always answer as we expected. He loves us too well to do that which is not good for us. But if we would but see it, how the needed grace to sustain and bring us through the trial has manifested His hand.

And so if we are oppressed at present by anything, let us not forget the promises of God's mouth. He will not forsake His feeble people. Oh how He loves us! One day, soon, we shall see His hand, and prove in our own life the truth of that upon which we have been dwelling.

"With wonder filled, we soon shall see
How wise, how strong His hand."

S. R.