But while we trust the perfect work we must not forget the perfect truth, for we are quite as dependent on that truth as David was. To his mind that had turned a future act into a present reality, and on that same truth we rely in order that the same act, long since completed, may be to us a present salvation, and the assurance of it a present power. We want each one to look back to the cross as David looked forward to it, and to say in happy, peaceful, personal trust as he did, ‘Into thine hand I commit my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me.’ But in order to do this we must not forget the truth. We cannot rest on the work without the word any better than on the word without the work. It is when both are combined, and both applied by the Holy Ghost to the soul, that we can say, ‘Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth,’ and resting on those eternal counsels, whether living or dying, may trust Him without a fear. May we not then, every one of us, learn a lesson of simple trust from these few words in David’s psalm? It matters not what is our position. When we are dying men and drawing near to the gateway of eternity we may calmly look up, and trust our soul for all eternity into His hand. If we be exposed to harassing anxiety, and are anxious about our own temper and judgment in difficult circumstances, we may spread our own spirit in simple faith before the throne. Or if we are undertaking work, and endeavouring to be employed for God, feeling the need of wisdom, zeal, love, and power, we may commit it all into His loving care. Yes, whatever it is that weighs on our mind, death, anxiety, disappointment, or duty, we may trust it all, and, whatever it is, may say as St. Paul did, ‘I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.’ Yes; and He is perfectly sure to keep it safe. But there is one little word in the text that I have not noticed, and yet it is an essential one to the trust. Great principles are often found in little words, and so it is here, for all hangs on that little monosyllable ‘me.’ If you can only say, ‘Thou hast redeemed mankind,’ your soul will never rest in abiding trust. Nor will it if you can only say, ‘Thou hast redeemed thy Church,’ for the safety of the Church does not secure the peace of the individual. It is only when you can reverently look up to the atoning blood, and say, ‘Thou hast redeemed _me_,’ that you will be able in hallowed peace to commit everything into His loving hand. When you can say with deep thanksgiving, ‘In whom _I_ have redemption through his blood,’ you may then without the shadow of a doubt commit your body, your soul, your spirit, your will, your thoughts, your work, and all you care for, into His loving hand. VII. ANATHOTH. ‘Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.’—JER. xxxii. 7.