If I have asked any thing of God and received His answer, I then act with assurance, with the conviction that I am in the path of His will:I am happy and satisfied. If I meet with a difficulty, it does not stop me; it is only an obstacle for faith to overcome.

But if I have not this assurance, I am uncertain, and know not what to do. May be it is a trial for my faith, or may be a direction which tells me not to do what I am doing. I am in suspense, I hesitate. Even if I do the will of God, I am not sure as to that will, and I am not happy. I have need, therefore, of being assured that it is the will of God before I begin to act.

Let us notice, in passing, that God disposes all, according to the desire of Eliezer; and this will necessarily be the case with them who find their joy in the Lord. All the wheels of the providence of God will move in the course of His will which I am doing. The Holy Spirit, by His Word, gives me the will of God. That is all I need. God will I see that every thing contributes to the accomplishment of His will. If, through spiritual intelligence, we walk with God, He helps us in the accomplishment of His will and purposes. We have need of this spiritual discernment, that we may abound in all wisdom and spiritual intelligence. " If thine eye be single, thy whole body will be full of light." (Matt, 6:) I cannot tell where this will lead me, but this is the step I have now to take in the path I am called to tread.

The servant of Abraham came into the house. " And there was set meat before him to eat; but he said, 'I will not eat until I have told mine errand;' and Laban said, 'Speak on.'" What firmness of character there is with the servant! Look at the man who is not decided:he consults with this one and with that one when it is a question of knowing how he is to act; and even when he desires to do his own will, he will seek the counsel of those who have less faith than himself. Paul advised not with flesh and blood. (Gal. 1:) He saw it was Christ calling him, and he went ahead.

Eliezer, occupied with his mission, does not accept the food presented him. He does what he has to do. One of the secrets of the Christian's life, as soon as he knows the will of God, is to do it, to occupy himself with his work, to allow nothing to interpose, not even the question of the needs of his body. That is the effect and the sign of the work of the Spirit. Eliezer must attend to his mission.

And what was in question? The interests and the honor of Abraham his master. Abraham had intrusted him with the interests of his son Isaac, and God has intrusted us, here below, with the glory of His Son Jesus; and that glory occupies us by the Holy Spirit given us-that is, where the eye is single and there is a spiritual discernment according to the place God has set us in. If we are there, there will be no hesitation; being in our place, we will act freely and with joy.

If I think of my convenience, of my interests, of what concerns me, of my family, (and there are a thousand things contrary to prompt obedience,) it is advising with flesh and blood; but if I ask, What are the interests of Christ, the thing is clear at once. If I think of any other thing, whatever it be, I have not at heart that glory intrusted to me, and I have not confidence in Him who put me there. (Translated from the French of J.N.D.) J.N.D.