2. For. Here is argument, which is the very sinew of
prayer. If we reasoned more with the Lord we should have more victories in
supplication. Thou art the God of my strength. All my strength belongs
to thee. I will not, therefore, use it on my own behalf against my personal
foes; I seek help from thee; I leave the task of combating my foes entirely in
thy hands. Note the assurance of David, thou art, not I hope and trust
so, but I know it is so. Why dost thou cast me off? There are many
reasons why the Lord might cast us off, but no reason will prevail to make him
do so. He has not cast off his people, though he for a while treats them as
castoffs. It is well to inquire into dark providences, but we must inquire of
God, not of our own fears. He who is the author of a mysterious trial can best
expound it to us. Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Why do I wander hither and thither like a restless spirit? Why do I wear the
weeds of sorrow on my body, and the lines of grief on my face? Oppression makes
a wise man mad; why, Lord, am I called to endure so much of it for so long a
time? Here again is a useful question, addressed to the right quarter. The
answer will often be because we are saints, and must be made like our Head, and
because such sorrow is chastening to the spirit, and yields fruit. We are not
to cross-question the Lord in peevishness, but we may ask of him in humility;
God help us to observe the distinction so as not to sin through stress of
sorrow.
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