din and noise, dust and confusion. But all will at last be acknowledged as needed portions in the spiritual workmanship;--when the soul, released from its earthly fastenings, is launched on the summer seas of eternity-- "Give to the winds thy fears, Hope and be undismay'd. God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears, God shall lift up thy head: Through waves, and clouds, and storms, He gently clears the way; Wait thou His time--so shall this night Soon end in joyous day."[109] [108] "Sometimes I can rejoice in the Mount with my Redeemer. Sometimes I lie in the Valley, dead, barren, unprofitable.... I am frequently wounded in the battle. Blessed be God that the Physician, the Castle, and the Fortress, are ever at hand."--_Bickersteth's Life._ [109] "David might have gone a thousand times to the tabernacle and never found a thousandth part of the blessing he found in this wilderness. It was in the absence of all that was dear to him as man, he found his special solace in God."--_Harington Evans._ Above all, let this Psalm teach you that your _spiritual_ interests are in safe keeping. No wounded Hart seeking the water-brooks ever sought them in vain. When drooping, downcast, disconsolate yourself, remember "God is faithful." "He cannot deny Himself." "_He satisfieth the longing soul with goodness._" None is "able to pluck you out of His hand." There may be fluctuations--ebbings and flowings--in the tides of the soul; but "_He that hath begun a good work in you, will carry it on until the day of the Lord Jesus._" You may reach the heavenly fold with bleating cries,--with torn fleece and bleeding feet;--but you _will_ reach it, if you have learned to sing, "_The Lord is my shepherd!_" You may reach the water-brooks with languid eye and panting sides;--but you _will_ reach them, if you can truthfully say, "_My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God!_" You may begin your song in the minor-key, but if "MY GOD" be its key-note, you will finish it with the angels and among ministering seraphim!