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I. WHAT THE TEXT EXPRESSES.

1. A belief of the providence of God. This belief is supported by the strongest arguments: by what we daily see of the instincts and appetites of living creatures; by the gravitation of matter, or the tendency of all heavy bodies to the earth; by many wonderful events, that happen contrary to what might be expected from the appearances of things; the discovery of secret wickedness, etc.

2. Providence has a peculiar concern for good men, and is exercised towards them with special care, tenderness and love.

3. Hearty consent to God's determinations. Not only a belief that He will choose for His people, but an entire, cheerful acquiescence in His choice. This temper includes the important virtues of humility, patience and contentment. It includes a frame of spirit suited to a persuasion of an over-ruling providence. This persuasion is expressed and strengthened by daily, fervent prayer; and there is to be nothing in the actions or words contrary to it or inconsistent with it: no impatience, fretfulness, or discontent allowed; no unlawful methods used to mend our circumstances, or extricate us out of any difficulty. And if the rebel heart is disposed to murmur, it must be checked and restrained by resolution, watchfulness and prayer.

II. A RECOMMENDATION TO CULTIVATE THIS TEMPER.

1. We are not able to choose for ourselves. Our knowledge is limited to a few objects, and we see those imperfectly. We cannot look into futurity, and have many false biases upon our judgment. We have often found ourselves mistaken, and been forced to acknowledge, that we have made a bad choice. "If God would study a close, quick and certain way of being revenged upon a man, He needs but open His stores and bid him choose for himself."

2. God is most fit to choose for us. For His understanding is infinite, His wisdom perfect, His judgment unerring. No case can possibly arise which will puzzle Him; nor can He have any bias upon His mind to act wrong.

3. God hath chosen well for us already, and therefore we should trust Him. This appears from the many favours He hath bestowed upon us, and the goodness and mercy that have followed us all our days.

4. Our minds can never be easy till we leave it to God to choose for us. God will have His choice, whether we leave it to Him or no (Isaiah 46:10).

III. CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS.

1. Let us own God's choice in every agreeable circumstance of life.

2. Let us humbly acquiesce in whatever is disagreeable.

3. Let us never allow ourselves to be anxious about future events. In order to support a patient, composed, cheerful spirit, let us live near to God by the daily exercise of fervent prayer; and especially pray that He would "fulfil in us the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power"; and help and cure the remainder of unbelief, which is the foundation of all our sorrows, fears and anxiety.

(Job Orion, D. D.)

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KJV: He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

WEB: He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.