Our Daily Homily

Devotional For

August 9

      If the Lord were pleased to kill us, He would not have received an offering. Judges 13:23
      
      Manoah was a pessimist, given to dark foreboding, fond of anticipating misfortune. So soon as he realized that he had seen the face of God, he made sure that his wife and he would die. His wife, on the contrary, was prone to look on - the bright side of things, and she must have been an admirable help-meet. How much some of us owe to the temperament of those with whom we live? Many a time would Christian sit down to die, and succumb in the dark waters of the river, if it were not for Hopeful, who pierces the gloom, and beholds the light shining beyond the cloud.
      
      Often enough Foreboding whispers, "We shall surely die." It is the voice of conscience, dreading the result of sin. It is the voice of mistrust, which fails to look beyond the hills for its help. It is the voice of human frailty. At such times let us look back and recount the blessings of the past. Did not God receive our burnt-offering? Did He not conspicuously answer our prayers? Did He not give His only begotten Son? Has He not led us by His right hand and holy arm? Has He not delivered us in seven troubles? Besides, has He not pledged Himself for the future? Has He not showed us "all these things"? It is impossible to believe that He will allow us to be overwhelmed.
      
      His love in time past forbids me to think,
      He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink.
      
      Trust Him, O suffering saints, doing His will in the teeth of opposition and hate l Fear not the faces of men; be not dismayed before their threats - He is with you to deliver you. They may fight against you, but they shall not prevail; their proudest threats shall fail of their fulfillment.