And to them that are fain to keep the commandment God giveth gifts. “But” says one, “how know you that they are _God’s_ gifts? Is there a God to give? Faith is very difficult to attain.” Certainly faith is difficult to the sophisticated in this and every age; but to the Wise it has always seemed natural, and never impossible. Said a young Russian modernist, “I find it difficult not to believe in God.” So much in passing; we shall return to the question a little later. Meantime, however, let us turn to what cannot be denied, the reality of the gifts and the axiomatic truth of the assertion that they are from God in the sense that they are the consequence of believing God is and is good. To believe in the true God, the high and holy and merciful God of Israel’s noblest thinkers, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, certainly gives men confidence and courage, not because the dangers and difficulties of life are removed, but because our strength being increased, it becomes possible to overcome them: _The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe_ (Pr. 18^{10}). Through the new spirit that is ours, life is lifted to a higher plane where we feel that, when sorrow and pain and sin have had their say, still the Lord reigneth; God is greater than His foes: _Whoso feareth the Lord shall not be afraid and shall not play the coward; for God is his hope_ (E. 34^{14}). To them that seek Him God gives illumination. _Evil men understand not justice, but they that seek the Lord understand it altogether_ (Pr. 28^{5})--which does not mean that the pious are omniscient, but does mean that to follow after truth and goodness enlightens, whereas to seek evil and pursue it makes men blind. Accordingly it is said, _There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord_ (Pr. 21^{30}), and the truth of that great saying has been repeatedly displayed in the rise and fall of mighty nations and empires, as well as in the lives of individuals. Selfishness is always short-sighted, snatching greedily at shadows and missing the best there is in life. Again, _The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked, but He blesseth the habitation of the righteous_ (Pr. 3^{33}); and that is true because it is seldom that such things as passion, hatred, cruelty and haunting moral fears are absent from the former, and, whatever the good man’s house may lack, it will generally have love, joy, peace and all the fruits of the Spirit.