The records of the valor and victories of the Old Testament worthies all point, in some way or other, to the One who was ever in God's thoughts.

The valley of Elah is a witness of this. It was a battle dependent on one man. Israel, the chosen people of God, were ranged on a hill on one side:their perpetual enemies, the Philistines, set the battle in array on the other. Between was the valley where the issues were to be tried. Goliath was the strong man in whom the Philistines trusted. If one man could overcome him, the battle was decided. Could such a one be found ? Forty days had the challenge rung forth. The favored people of God were tested, and found wanting. Just at this juncture David's father sent the "beloved," laden with blessings for his brethren. How like the great Antitype! All this points to another battle-field.

"Through fear of death," all were in bondage. The prince of the power of the air had invaded the earth, and held man against all comers. At Calvary's cross the battle was set in array. Could "a man " be found who could conquer the strong man ? Thank God, there was one both able and willing. In both cases the victory was achieved by a son sent by a father.

In each instance "He came to His own, and His own received Him not." Both warriors met the enemy single-handed. A mighty victory resulted. Israel was freed forever from Goliath, and had only to reap the spoils of victory. Even so the believer has been freed from Satan by the victory of one blessed Man; alone, forsaken of God, deserted by man, Christ fought and conquered.

" Alone He bare the cross,
Alone its grief sustained;
His was the shame and loss,
And He the victory gained :
The mighty work was all His own,
Though we shall share His glorious throne."

We are told certain motives influenced these warriors. Joys were set before them which encouraged them to meet the foe. There were three set before David as incentives to give battle to the "strong man."

The first was, great riches.

The second, the freedom of his father's house.

The third, the king's daughter as a bride.

These three objects were also those of the true David.

Was it not a great joy to the blessed Lord to open out all the wealth of God's nature and being, to make it possible for man to possess unsearchable riches ? Man's riches are measured by broad acres, hoards of silver and gold. Not so God's riches. The hidden nugget and the minted gold are all primarily His; He has crown-rights over the soil and all it contains; but He never calls these things His " riches." That which Scripture speaks of as riches are mines in which are hidden moral and spiritual wealth-"goodness," "grace," "glory," "long-suffering," "forbearance." These are the true riches. To put us in possession of them Christ met and conquered the enemy; to secure them for us He became poor.

Through His poverty we are now rich. Every blessing possessed by Christ in glory is ours. Our needs are supplied from "riches in glory;" our redemption and forgiveness, from "riches of grace."

These mines cannot be exhausted. The eternal ages will witness "kindness" displayed from the treasure-house of the exceeding "riches of grace."

All the wealth of God's nature and being, all that He is in Himself, has been opened up to us.

" And see, the Spirit's power
Has opened the heavenly door,
Has brought us to that favored hour
When toil shall all be o'er."

Oh then, to explore these mines and appropriate this wealth, by faith and the Spirit, now!

To free the " Father's house " was another motive which actuated David's Lord.

During those countless ages which preceded the creation of man, a purpose had been formed-a deep, settled purpose, that the "Father's house" should resound with the praises of children, that "many sons " should tread those heavenly courts and enter into its joys and delights.

Hitherto one Son, "an only-begotten,"and "well-beloved," had stood in this relationship. The One who stood in this place of peculiar and special affection was now sent of the Father to give effect to His purpose and counsel. To give the "freedom" of the house to others; to effect this for us, Christ became man. As a man He was saluted Son-" Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee" (Heb. 1:5).He became man in order to give the freedom of the Father's house to "many sons."

In John 8 He not only says that the "truth " shall make the believer free, but, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed " (ver. 36).

We are conducted into that scene of heavenly joy in association with the risen First-born among many brethren. The freedom of His home is ours. Christ has entered, the accepted and beloved Son, and we are taken into favor in the Beloved One in all His acceptance now. Soon those courts will be trodden by sons introduced by the mighty Victor, who is bringing many sons to glory. The freedom of the house will be theirs in fact then, but may be entered by faith and the Spirit now.

Then another attraction was the "king's daughter. "

Psalm 45 tells us that "the king's daughter is all glorious within:her clothing is of wrought gold." This is the one who captivated the heart of the warrior and cheered Him on to meet the foe-a

bride who was within and without suited to Him. The King's daughter, who answers to this now, is the Church-the company of saints God is gathering today. "Christ loved the Church, and gave Him-self for it," and will soon present it to Himself "all glorious."

There are other saints for whom Christ died, the Abrahams and Davids and the remnant in a future
day; but among them all one bright special object is singled out as the object of the King's desire, as that which will ever be for His own joy. This bride will be all "glorious within." Every thought and feeling will be in accord with His.

Outwardly the "wrought gold" will declare and set forth the righteousness in which she will be found; but inwardly she will answer to Him in affection and moral delight in those things which now engage His thoughts and desires. Adorned with the beauty with which He will invest her, she shall be a fit and suited companion for Him when He appears in glory, as well as the joy and delight of His heart.

The marriage of the King's daughter will be the great event of the Father's house. Among the many bursts of joy in the course of the book of Revelation, none is so full as that which accompanies the announcement that the time has arrived for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Scripture is careful to show us that this bride is a suited one. When God formed Eve and gave her to Adam, He made her bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. When God formed the second Eve for the last Adam, she too was "of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones."

Do we enter into it that we are truly and really to-day in the actual moment when all this is being accomplished ?

All the wealth of God is at our disposal. The freedom of the house is our position as sons. We are the objects of a love that is unique-a love that the brightest angel never can know-a love that many of the redeemed never will know. Christ's love to the "Church" is a special love. That Church was formed by the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and will end by the Spirit accompanying her to the bridal feast.

" O hour of richest blessing,
When brought to Thee so nigh;
To be Thy joy forever,
And reign with Thee on high ;
To rest in all the brightness
And ever there abide ;
To find Thy heart delighting
In us, Thy ransomed bride."

H. N.