When the Lord is about to give great blessings, He commonly begins with great trials. He writes death upon the purposed mercy, that when life springs out of death, we may know from whom that life proceeds—even Jesus, the "I am that I am." Our peculiar corruptions are often brought out by the peculiarities of others. If God in His kindness make manifest to ourselves the evil that is in us, it is in order that we may be driven to Christ, and that we may know the subduing power of His blood. The Lord has bound up the rod of correction in our bundle of blessings. We have not wisdom to judge of God's ways, unless we have patience to wait their issue. God is wont to frustrate our devices in order to execute His own purposes, and thereby to do us good to the utmost. Elisha was singularly honoured after going down to the grave: a dead body touching the prophet's bones came to life again. Elijah was honoured by translation: like Enoch, he did not see death. God will, in manifold wisdom, honour each and every one of them that honour Him. When God is about to do the very best for us, His discipline is often such that at first our flesh rebels: but let us leave God to bless us in His own way; only let our hearts be set upon Himself, and on pleasing Him. He will be ever true to Himself. Obedience "Vain man would be wise, though he be born like a wild ass's colt" (Job 11:12). But God demands it of man that he become a fool, that he may be wise. (1 Cor. 3:18.) God honoured the obedience of His saints in time of the old covenant with the abundance of earthly things: if at any time He dealt otherwise, as in Job's case, He departed from His ordinary course. _Now_ the obedience of faith brings with it tribulation, more or less. If we bear not this in mind, trials will often take us by surprise. The state of the heart of God's children is not to be judged by what they call "comfort," or the lack of it; by strong words or lively feelings; but by steady obedience to His Word—not obedience on great occasions only: it is easier to do great things for Christ than to hold on our way, keeping heart and lips in our every-day walk. The only path of safety and happiness is prompt, unquestioning, obedience to the commandments of the Lord. If we would be led into God's truth, we must put our neck into Christ's yoke, and in such subjection of spirit as not to be galled thereby. If you compare a path of obedience with one of disobedience, the great difference may not immediately appear; but years will speak, and show things in their true light. It is good to bear in mind that whatever our circumstances, it cannot be necessary to disobey God. Let us not wish for anything unless the means to obtain it be as much approved of by God as the _end_.