September 24

“For I teas ashamed to require of the Icing a band of soldiers and horsemen to help vs against the “uemy in the waij; because wf had spoken unto the king, saying, J%e hand of 02ir God is upon all them, for good that seek Ilim; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him.” — Ezra viii. 22.

CONVOY on many accounts would have been ble for the pilgrim band, but a holy shi me-facedness would not allow Ezra to seek one. He feared lest the heathen king should think his professions of faith in God sO be mere hypocrisy, or imagine that the Grod of Israel was not able to preserve His own worshippers. He could not bring his mind to lean on an arm of flesh in a matter so evidently of the Lord, and therefore the caravan set out with no visible protection, guarded by Him who is the sword and shield of His people. It is to be feared that few believers feel this holy jealousy for God; even those who in a measure walk by faith, occasionally mar the lustre of their life by cravino; aid from man. It is a most blessed thinfj’ to have no props and no buttresses, but to stand upright on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord alone. Would any believers seek state-endowments for their Church, if they remembered that the Lord is dishonored by their asking Caesar’s aid? as if the Lord could not supply the needs of His own cause! Should we run so hastily to friends and relations for assistance, if we remembered that the Lord is magnified by our implicit reliance upon His solitary arm? My soul, wait thou only upon God. “But,” says one, “are not means to be used?” Assuredly they are; but our fault seldom lies in their neglect: far more frequently it springs out of foolishly believing in them, instead of believing in God. Few run too far in neglecting the creature’s arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to {glorify the Lord by leaving no means untried, if by using liicm thou wouldst not dishonor the name of the Lord.