Let us remember this. Let it sink down into the very deepest depths of our moral being. Nothing can rob us of the blessings and privileges flowing from obedience. The truth of this shines out before our eyes in every section and on every page of the volume of God. At all times, in all places, and under all circumstances, the obedient soul was happy in God, and God was happy in him. It always holds good, whatever be the character of the dispensation, that, "To this man will I look, even to him who is of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word." Nothing can ever alter or touch this. It meets us in the fourth chapter of our blessed book of Deuteronomy, in the words with which this section opens--"Now therefore _hearken_, O Israel, unto _the statutes_ and unto _the judgments which I teach you_, for _to do_, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you." It meets us in those precious words of our Lord, in John xiv, on which we have been dwelling--"He that hath _My commandments_ and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me," etc. And again, "If a man love Me, _he will keep My sayings_."[8] It shines with peculiar brightness in the words of the inspired apostle John--"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, _because we keep His commandments_, and _do those things that are pleasing in His sight_. And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him." (1 John iii. 21-24.)