---

This is faith with its eyes open, seeing how great and how good our God is. If only we know God, and know Him as "our God," we at once pass into the possession of a great inheritance. This includes safety, rest, transfiguration of soul, victory, eternal joy.

I. THE SOUL IS OUR CHIEF CONCERNMENT. The body of man has a value peculiarly its own, yet the soul is incomparably more precious. The body looks down and searches the ground for its delights; the soul looks up and culls treasures from the realms beyond the stars. Its home is on high; it is destined to soar.

1. The soul has kinship with God.

2. The soul has large capacities.

3. The soul has the possibility of endless life.

II. THE SOUL IS FULL OF NEED.

1. This is a patent fact. Can the tree flourish without its root? Can a house stand without a foundation? Can a babe prosper without its mother? Nor can man without God.

2. We need Divine instruction. The first cry of the soul is for light.

3. We need God's life within. Penitence is budding life; prayer is life; pardon is life; righteousness is life; sonship in God's household is life; hope of heaven is life. "He that hath the Son hath life."

III. THE SOURCE OF REAL GOOD — GOD. This is a vital discovery; for there is a sad tendency to trust in anything rather than in God. But here we have —

1. Great resources. He who created out of nothing this vast universe can as easily create more. Can we hold the Atlantic in the palm of our hand? Neither can we measure the resources of God.

2. Great promises, God's promises are the forthputtings of Himself. They are God's character transposed into words. What magnificent pledges have we from God! "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people; My covenant with them will I not break; With that man will I dwell, who is of an humble and a contrite heart;... Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."

3. Great provisions. Everything is laid under tribute to serve redeemed men, viz. nature, providence, human history, angels, suffering, death, the cross of Jesus Christ.

IV. THE CHANNEL OF BLESSING, viz. waiting upon God.

1. This implies faith. In every transaction of daily life we exercise faith. We put our faith in men, though they have often deceived us. We put our faith in the processes of nature — in the revolutions of the seasons, in the stability of this very unstable globe. Shall we not much more put our faith in the everlasting God?

2. Waiting implies submission. "To wait" means that I defer to the good pleasure of God. Though He tarry, I will wait for Him. My range of vision is very narrow. His eye sweeps the universe. My idea of what is best is very imperfect; His idea is perfect. God is my King — my gracious Master; therefore I will "wait."

3. Waiting means prayer. It is not essential that there should be words, though words are helpful to ourselves. The mightiest prayer is silent, — the outgoing of unconquerable desire.

(J. Dickerson Davies, M. A.)

---

---

KJV: My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

WEB: My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.