The Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. God was present to the Israelites in a visible cloud in the Temple; and therefore the Temple was in very deed “a dwelling-place of God among men”. Now, after God had become Man, would He have removed Himself further from us than He was from the Israelites? Are we to have no dwelling-place of God in our midst? Is nothing to be left to us Christians but the bare memory of God made Man? No! It would be inconceivable that God, after His Incarnation, should be less approachable than He was before it! Jesus Christ would not leave us orphans; therefore He has remained with us, being present on our altars under the visible appearances of bread and wine in the Blessed Sacrament. There He is in the Tabernacle, His Eyes and His Heart beholding those who come to adore Him. If Jesus were not present in the Most Holy Sacrament, then those who lived under the Old Testament would have been better off than we who are living under the New Testament, and we should, perforce, envy the Israelites with whom God was present in at least one Temple.
APPLICATION. Visit your Divine Saviour present in the church. Visit Him this very day. Pray to Him with devotion and faith, and thank Him for the love which makes Him dwell with us, offer Himself up for us, and give Himself to us as the food of our souls.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed, and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim. Without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word. the true Theotokos, we magnify thee.
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Ancient Marian prayer, dating back to the 3rd century:
"We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin"
Sub tuum praesídium confúgimus, sancta Dei Génetrix; nostras deprecatiónes ne despícias in necessitátibus;
sed a perículis cunctis líbera nos semper, Virgo gloriósa et Benedícta
Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν καταφεύγομεν, Θεοτόκε.Τὰς ἡμῶν ἱκεσίαςμὴ παρίδῃς ἐν περιστάσει,ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ κινδύνων λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς,μόνη Ἁγνή, μόνη εὐλογημένη.
Since happiness is nothing else than the enjoyment of the Supreme Good, and the Supreme Good is above us, no one can enjoy happiness unless he rise above himself, not, indeed, by a bodily ascent, but by an ascent of the heart. But we cannot rise above ourselves unless a superior power raise us. However much, then, the steps of our interior progress may be well ordered, we can do nothing unless divine aid support us. This divine aid is at hand for all who seek it with a truly humble and devout heart, that is, by sighing for it in this vale of tears by fervent prayer. Prayer, then, is the mother and origin of every upward striving of the soul.
St Bonaventure, Mind's Journey into God, 1-1
APPLICATION. Take to heart David’s exhortations to Solomon, as much as if they had been made to yourself. Be steadfast! Hitherto you have been very inconstant. Observe everything which the Lord has commanded. On what point do you generally and chiefly transgress God’s law? Pray to-day for the grace of steadfastness!
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https://www.christianbwagner.com/post/13-creeds-of-the-catholic-church
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I am at this time currently asking for prayers for my fiancé's grandfather, who is currently afflicted with an aggressive form of cancer and kidney problems.
His physical state worsening; to the point he is unable to walk. It is difficult for him to eat and drink, even when assisted. As painful as this is, we are still hoping that he might be healed of his current sufferings.
By God's grace, we ask for a miracle that he might be healed from all of his afflictions, and that, if God wills it, he might be given the grace to see his grandson's children before he passes away. We hope that the Lord might provide for him the means of getting a priest to administer the sacraments for him before his death.
This is taking a toll on my love and all of those who have witnessed his physical state. It is a very hard cross for us to carry. Any prayers, even a simple one, would help very much.
Thank you for your charity, and may God reward you for taking our pains into consideration.
Papacy
This section will deal with various aspects of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome in patristic thought. Corunum will include such things as: Peter's presence in Rome, Peter's primacy amongst the apostles, and the primacy of the Apostolic See.
Papacy(html)
This file contains a detailed debate on the papacy (between a Catholic and an Orthodox apologist) during the first five centuries of the Catholic Church. The Fathers of the West and East affirmed the primacy of the bishop of Rome.
Papacy1(html)
This document contains another debate on the papacy between a Catholic and a Protestant apologist. Includes topics such as: Pope Leo and Chalcedon; Athanasius,Arianism and Pope Julius; Augustine, Pelagianism and Pope Innocent; Augustine and Matthew 16 and more.
Peter in Rome
Documents illustrating St. Peter's presence in Rome
Peter in Patristic Thought
Documents illustrating the position of St. Peter in Patristic Thought.
Primacy of the Apostolic See in Patristic Thought
Documents illustrating the jurisdictional primacy of the Bishop of Rome through both the Western and Eastern Fathers
Primacy of the Apostolic See in Papal Thought
Documents illustrating the self-claimed authority of the Bishop of Rome. Rome has always considered herself as the head of Christendom and the primary expositor of the Apostolic heritage.
St. John Chrysostom and St. Peter
This essay contains a reply against criticisms foisted by William Webster (of the Christian Truth Web Site) against Steve Ray's book Upon this Rock: St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church regarding St. John Chrysostom and the papacy.
St. Augustine, St. Peter and the Papacy
This essay contains a reply against criticisms foisted by William Webster (of the Christian Truth Web Site) against Steve Ray's book Upon this Rock: St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church regarding St. Augustine, St. Peter, and the papacy
The evidence for the papacy : as derived from the Holy Scriptures and from primitive antiquity, with an introductory epistle
Religious Music. Its purpose is to glorify God and to edify the faithful. As to its necessary qualities, St. Bernard remarks that it must be earnest and grave and dignified, not effeminate, light or worldly. It should please the ear, but also move the heart; it should not obscure the words, but help to make them clear and bright and impressive. While the soft sweet sounds flow into the ear, says St. Augustine, divine truth should gently steal into our hearts. If the Old Testament, which was material and earthly, admitted of noisy instruments, it does not follow that the Church of Christ with its spiritual worship should do the same, or to the same extent. Church music is not a mere matter of musical taste, but of fitness and appropriateness to the divine worship of the New Testament Church. It is both a duty and a great privilege for any one to be a member of the choir or to promote good music in the Church.
Importance of the City of Jerusalem. Divine Providence brought it about that David should choose this old and naturally fortified city of the Jebusites as the capital of his kingdom, the centre of the Jewish religion, and the cradle of the Christian religion. Here it was that Melchisedech exercised his royal priesthood, and here it was that the great High Priest according to the order of Melchisedech offered and instituted His Eucharistic Sacrifice and Sacrament of love. Here on Mount Moria Abraham offered his son Isaac, and here the eternal Father offered His only-begotten Son for the sins of the world. Here David, the shepherd-boy of Bethlehem, entered as the meek, gentle, God-fearing king, and established the divine worship of Moses in its fullest splendour; and here the Son of David, the Son of man born in Bethlehem entered, riding on an ass and acclaimed by the Hosannas of the children of Israel. Here he died and rose, ascended into heaven, and poured out the Spirit of God on the day of Pentecost. Here He gave life to the Church of the Redeemed, and from here She began her world-wide work and mission. For these reasons Jerusalem is and remains the holiest city on earth, and is a type of the everlasting city of peace and happiness of heaven.
Joy in the House of God. David rejoiced and exulted that now the Ark would be close to his dwelling on Mount Sion, and that he would be able to assist at the sacrifices. How much more ought we to rejoice and thank God that in our midst are real houses of God, where we can visit our Divine Lord, and assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
APPLICATION. Do you like going to Mass? Do you take pleasure in the services of God? How do you behave in Church and during processions? Do you give a good example to others, or do you disturb them in their devotions?
COMMENTARY
The Justice of God. God protected the innocent David and enabled him to escape from the snares of the bloodthirsty king. But He humbled the sin-laden Saul by subjecting him to a humiliating defeat and a premature and dishonourable death.
The Wisdom of God decreed that many troubles should overtake David, in order that he might be exercised in virtue and prepared for his high position. By the persecutions and privations to which he was subjected, David was confirmed in humility and confidence in God, and experienced for himself how much harm is caused by evil-doing. He saw from which faults a ruler should be free, and was thus fitted for the high dignity for which God had destined him.
The Fifth Commandment. The story we have just heard is well suited to explain and impress upon us the precepts taught by the fifth Commandment. David observed this Commandment most conscientiously when he would not allow his mortal enemy, Saul, to be killed, although he was in his power. The armour-bearer, Abisai, on the other hand, did sin against the fifth Commandment, because he had the desire to murder Saul in his sleep, and would have carried out his wicked project, had David given his consent. By this sinful intention Abisai also sinned against the fourth Commandment; for Saul, the anointed of the Lord, was the representative of God. But it was Saul who sinned most grievously against the fifth Commandment. He allowed his anger against David to grow till it turned to hatred, and from this to bloodthirstiness, which passion Saul cherished in his heart for a long time, and tried to satisfy by his untiring persecution of David. Each fresh desire to get rid of David, and each new pursuit of him for that object was a grievous sin.
Suicide was Saul’s crowning sin. He saw that the enemy was pressing on him in overwhelming numbers, and that he could not escape; therefore, so as not to fall into the hands of the Philistines, he killed himself. This was a terrible sin, for on no account may a man take away his own life, as he did not give it to himself. God is Lord of life and death, and he who kills himself robs the divine Majesty of His rights. But it might be argued, Saul could not anyhow have had long to live, for most likely the Philistines would have killed him on the field of battle. True, but if Saul had, by God’s permission, been killed by his enemies, he would have died the death of a hero, in defence of his religion, his people and his country. Very likely, however, the Philistines would not have killed him at once, but would have taken him prisoner, and would later have put him to death. Saul would in this way have had to endure humiliations and tortures, but he would have had time to repent of his many sins, and if he had offered his sufferings to God in the spirit of true penance, his soul would have been saved, and he would have died the death of a martyr to faith in the one true God. By his suicide he not only killed his body, but also his soul; for his last act on earth was one of mortal sin, and the very nature of the act made repentance impossible. Every voluntary suicide is a suicide of the soul which can in no way be expiated; and it is in this that lies the horror of this sin. Cowardice, moreover, lies at the root of every suicide, as we have seen was the case with Saul. He shrank from humiliation and degradation, and to avoid them put an end to his life. The suicide is too cowardly to endure such temporal evils as poverty, sickness, or shame, and therefore puts an end to his life, never considering that he thereby subjects himself to the everlasting torments of hell. Suicide is the most foolish of all sins and crimes; for in order to escape a passing evil he who commits it exposes himself to eternal suffering.
COMMENTARY. (Compare with chapter XXXVIII.)
God is infinitely Great or Immense and is not subject to the limits of space or time, for both were created by Him. He is present everywhere in heaven and on earth, but neither heaven nor earth can contain Him who is infinite and immeasurable.
God is Good and Merciful. The Levites sang: “Praise the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endureth for ever.” The story we have just read shows forth His goodness. He came in the cloud and took possession of the Temple, to dwell there in an especial manner. He was pleased with Solomon’s prayer and sacrifice. He appeared to Solomon and promised Him that the Temple should be a holy place, and that He would hearken to those who prayed therein.
Exterior worship. Our worship of God must have an outward expression; for everything which moves our hearts (as, for instance, anger) shows itself outwardly. The Israelites expressed their worship of God by solemn processions, by canticles, by praying aloud, by genuflections, by uplifting of the hands and by sacrifices. And God was pleased with these outward expressions of worship, because they came from the heart.
The necessity of places of worship. God needs no house nor church, but we must have places where we can worship Him in common and praise Him and ask for blessings; so that it is on our account that God requires places of worship. For this cause He Himself designed the Tabernacle and later on the Temple. The Israelites could worship God everywhere; but in the Temple He was present in an especial manner, to listen to prayers and grant graces, and they were therefore commanded to visit the Temple. By the second Commandment of the Church, visiting churches is imposed on us as a duty.
The Sanctity of Catholic churches. The Israelites had only one Temple: we have many churches. Although the Temple at Jerusalem was exceptionally beautiful and costly, the poorest Catholic chapel is far holier and richer, because in our churches the holy Sacraments are dispensed, and because, above all other reasons, our Lord Jesus Christ, with His Divinity and Humanity, is there present and, in the Mass, offers Himself for us to His Heavenly Father. As St. Chrysostom beautifully says: “If we could open the heaven of heavens, we should find nothing greater or more holy than that which reposes on our altars.” We ought to have the utmost veneration for our churches, and visit them diligently and devoutly. King Solomon threw himself on his knees in the outer court of the Temple and raised his arms to God in prayer; and shall we be ashamed to kneel down before the Blessed Sacrament and devoutly clasp our hands?
The Consecration of churches. Our churches are solemnly consecrated. Thereby they are sanctified to be the property and dwelling-place of God and the abode of grace. In memory of its consecration or dedication, and as a thanksgiving for the benefits it has brought to us, it is usual to keep every year the feast of the dedication of a church. On that anniversary we have more cause than had the Israelites to say: “Praise the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endureth for ever.”
Have a blessed feast of our Lady of Mt Carmel 🔗
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Inno Flos Carmeli
Flos Carmeli,
vitis florigera,
splendor caeli,
virgo puerpera
singularis.
Mater mitis
sed viri nescia
Carmelitis
esto propitia
stella maris.
Radix Iesse
germinans flosculum
nos adesse
tecum in saeculum
patiaris.
Inter spinas
quae crescis lilium
serva puras
mentes fragilium
tutelaris.
Armatura
fortis pugnantium
furunt bella
tende praesidium
scapularis.
Per incerta
prudens consilium
per adversa
iuge solatium
largiaris.
Mater dulcis
Carmeli domina,
plebem tuam
reple laetitia
qua bearis.
Paradisi
clavis et ianua,
fac nos duci
quo, Mater, gloria
coronaris.
Amen.
“Their buildings rise, their morality sinks. Their worldly goods increase, their values diminish. Their speeches multiply, their prayers grow scarce…. An edifice based on man may well rise, but it ends up crushing him.“ — Charbel Makhlouf
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The 'Herrgottswinkel' (Lord God's Corner) formerly was found in all German Catholic homes and was usually in the central room, set up directly above the dining table. A large crucifix was at its center. Around it were grouped pictures of saints, icons, candles, palm branches, and other items. Part of the Herrgottswinkel also served as a repository for the rosary, the Bible and/or the hymnal. The rosary was sometimes hung over the crucifix or images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary so that it itself formed the outline of a heart.
Traditionally, the whole family gathered under the Herrgottswinkel on feast days or other holy days to pray together.
Nowadays, the Herrgottswinkel is only occasionally found in southern Germany and Austria and among the German diaspora in other parts of the world. The 'Lieberherrgottseck' (Dear Lord God's corner) or 'heilige Eck' (Holy Corner) was common in the homes of Catholic Volga Germans in Kansas, and can still be found in homes of older people.
OMMENTARY
God’s Omniscience. David said to Solomon: “Serve God with a perfect heart; for the Lord searcheth all hearts and thoughts of the soul.”
God’s Holiness. God indeed forgave David his sin, but all the same He told him that he should not build Him a Temple, because he was a man of blood.
God’s Justice. “If thou forsake God,” said David to Solomon, “He will cast thee off for ever.”
The end of David’s life. The last days of the royal prophet’s life were beautiful and edifying. His only care was that a fitting Temple should be raised to the Lord, and he urged his son most earnestly to be faithful and obedient to God. And then he slept “in the Lord”, i. e. in the grace of the Lord. He was able to gaze back on his active and eventful life, and leave it with the thought that he had finished his task. The task which God had given the former shepherd to do was very great and important for the development of God’s kingdom upon earth. David had secured to the chosen people their possession of the Promised Land, he had disabled his enemies for a long time to come, he had strengthened the unity of the people, ordered the government of the country according to God’s laws, extirpated the remnants of idolatry and advanced the worship of God by his regulations concerning it, by his example and his ever-beautiful Psalms. His prophecies concerning the Messias had quickened the spiritual life of the people, and turned their thoughts to the source of grace. He was a chosen instrument of God and, with the exception of his fall, of which he deeply repented, he lived a life well-pleasing to Him. God therefore gave him the grace of perseverance and of a happy death.
A retrospect of David’s virtues: humility, confidence in God, piety, zeal for God’s glory, patience, love of his enemies, justice, generosity and fatherly care of his subjects. The Holy Ghost says about him (Ecclus. 47:10): “With his whole heart he praised the Lord and loved the God who made him.” He is rightly counted among the Saints of the Old Testament and is still venerated by the Church.
Fig. 45. Sepulchre of David in Sion at Jerusalem.
David, the twelfth type of Jesus Christ. David not only foretold the sufferings and glory of the Redeemer, but was himself a type of Him. He was born at Bethlehem; he led a hidden life during his youth, and conquered Goliath with a contemptible weapon (Jesus overcame Satan by means of the despised Cross). He was persecuted by Saul, to whom he had done nothing but good; he was patient and full of love towards his enemies. He was both prophet and king; he ascended the Mount of Olives, crossing the brook Cedron, bowed down with grief; and returned triumphantly to Jerusalem (the type of the Ascension), having gained the victory over his enemies (“sitteth at the right hand of God”).
The end of man. When Solomon was anointed king, in his father’s lifetime, David said to him: “Serve God with a perfect heart and willing mind.” When he was dying, he thus exhorted him: “Keep the charge of the Lord thy God to walk in His ways, as is written in the law of Moses.” All men, whatever their age or position may be, have one end to live for, namely to love God and serve Him by a faithful observance of His law.
The four last things. The journey of life leads to death. High and low, rich and poor, we must all die. And after death come the judgment and an eternity, either of joy in heaven or of misery in hell.
Offerings for the House of God. In Psalm 25 David says: “I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.” He made rich offerings to the Temple which was to be built to the Lord, and his example fired the people to make generous gifts for the same purpose. He who loves God, will gladly make offerings to Him for the building and decorating of His churches and for the splendour of His worship. What we give for such an object, is given to God. “Give to the Lord,” said David when he asked for stones wherewith to build the Temple.
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (@ICKSP)
A beautiful recap of Ordination Week
Someone has the traditional way to pray the 54 Rosary novena?
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A Practical Commentary On Holy Scripture by Frederick Justus Knecht D.D.
CHAPTER LIV
DAVID’S PIETY.—HIS ZEAL FOR GOD’S GLORY
[2 Kings 5–6]
AFTER the death of Saul David was chosen king. He established his court in Jerusalem, where he became renowned for his great valour. He defeated the Philistines and many other nations. His reign was glorious, because he governed his people with justice and clemency. As he feared God, he was a just ruler, and never imposed on his people any but just and righteous laws.
The counsellors whom he chose to aid him in the government of his kingdom were not flatterers, but men of wisdom and virtue, whose advice was always founded on reason and justice. The promotion of God’s glory was the primary object of all their plans and views.
Near Jerusalem was Mount Sion, on which David erected a splendid tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant. When the tabernacle was completed, he caused the Ark to be carried in triumph to Mount Sion. The procession was very grand, comprising all the princes of Israel in purple robes, the priests in their rich vestments, and thirty thousand armed men. The sound of all manner of musical instruments made the procession still more imposing. David himself went before the Ark playing on the harp and singing: “Lord, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle, and who shall rest in Thy holy hill?”
At every few paces taken by the Levites who carried the Ark, an ox and a ram were sacrificed to the Lord. And when the Ark had been placed in its destined position, a great number of victims were offered. David then divided the priests into 24 classes, who were in turn to officiate in the divine worship. He established a like order amongst the Levites, four thousand of whom were chosen to sing the praises of the Most High.
COMMENTARY
Religion, the foundation of all government. David was, therefore, a wise as well as a holy ruler. He knew that a nation cannot be happy and contented, nor rights and laws be respected, unless religion be observed, and God feared. Hence, as far as lay in his power, he furthered religion. He arranged the solemn services of God, and he kindled the hearts of the people and awakened their religious sense by his sacred music and Psalms. Above all, he himself gave them the example of piety and reverence. He did not shrink from openly confessing his faith; he publicly humbled himself before God and danced in front of the Ark of the Covenant, singing and playing on the harp. In reward for David’s care and zeal for His glory God gave him the victory over all his enemies, increased his kingdom and promised him that the Redeemer should be born of his race, and should found and possess an everlasting kingdom.
The First Commandment. David was a shining example to high and low by his zeal for God’s glory. His heart was holy, he had a living faith, firm confidence in God, an interior love for Him, and he expressed all these holy dispositions in his wonderful Psalms. By these Psalms (some of which are sung at Vespers) he not only edified the Israelites of his own time, but he has edified all the faithful for 3000 years, moving them to worship God.
Religious Processions which the Church has instituted, give us an opportunity of outwardly confessing our faith and of honouring God. In the procession formed by David the Ark of the Covenant, held most sacred by the Israelites, was carried. We have far more holy processions, in which the Lawgiver of the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself, present in the Blessed Sacrament, is carried about for our veneration and adoration.
“We can walk as much as we want, we can build many things, but if we do not profess Jesus Christ, things go wrong. We may become a charitable NGO, but not the Church, the Bride of the Lord… When we do not profess Jesus Christ, the saying of Léon Bloy comes to mind: ‘Anyone who does not pray to the Lord prays to the devil.’ When we do not profess Jesus Christ, we profess the worldliness of the devil, a demonic worldliness.”
-Pope Francis to the Cardinal Electors after his elevation to the Papacy
Humility and love of our enemies. There are many beautiful virtues to admire in David. He remained humble in spite of the adulation of the world; he did not glory in being chosen by God to be king; he bore no grudge in his heart against the unjust, ungrateful Saul; he did not rise up against him, but honoured him as “his lord and king”, called himself his servant, forgave him from his heart, and spared his life when the opportunity of revenge was given him. David had a most noble and magnanimous heart; he did not return evil for evil, but really loved his mortal enemy, and bitterly bewailed his sad end. Thus David gives us a splendid example of love of our enemies, which teaches us that we should never take vengeance on them. St. Paul writes (Rom. 12:19): “Do not revenge yourselves, but give place unto wrath (i. e. leave vengeance to God), for it is written: ‘Revenge to me, I will repay, saith the Lord.’ ” By this noble virtue of love of his enemy David won a victory over himself (over anger and the desire of revenge) which was far greater and more worthy of renown than his victory over Goliath. St. Chrysostom says of him: “Women did not come to meet him, singing the praises of this victory, but the choirs of angels, full of admiration, sang the praises of his magnanimity.” Learn then how beautiful and praiseworthy it is to overcome yourself and forgive those who have injured you.
Love until death. David loved Saul and Jonathan till they died, and bitterly mourned their death. True love lasts beyond the grave, and we should preserve our love for those dear unto us after they are dead. You should pray for the souls of your departed parents, friends and relations.
Resistance to grace. Learn from the case of Saul how low a man can fall when he forsakes God, resists grace and gives himself over to his passions. If you give the devil one finger, he will want to have your whole hand and your whole self. Saul was originally humble, and God was with him and gave him many graces; but his victories made him proud and disobedient to God. His pride could not endure that David should be so highly honoured and esteemed, and therefore he was envious and jealous of him. Envy embittered his life and made him ungrateful towards David, and this led further to hatred of him and desire for his death. Thus Saul became more and more unworthy of the divine assistance. Quite forsaken by God, he was defeated by the Philistines in spite of his valour, and ended his life by suicide. What a sad end for a man chosen out by God from among all men!
APPLICATION. What do you do when anyone injures you by word or deed? Do you cherish a grudge against him in your heart? Do you wish evil to any of your companions? Do you speak evil of him to others? “Forgive and forget!”
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum - Eucharistic hymn composed by St. Thomas Aquinas
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JENIN, PALESTINE
Israeli soldiers have destroyed a Catholic church during a special military operation this week
Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa has condemned the "unprecedented Israeli aggression"
@catholicarena
Pride. Goliath was arrogant and trusted in his own strength and mighty weapons. He boasted, sought the single combat for his own glory and scorned the people of God. This pride was the cause of his fall. “Pride comes before a fall”, and “humiliation followeth the proud, and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit” (Prov. 29:23).
Humility and confidence in God. David was humble. It was no thought of renown which impelled him to fight the giant, but only zeal for God’s glory and the good of his people. He trusted in God’s help and not in his own powers or skill, and went forth to the unequal combat, full of the confidence that God would overthrow the Philistine by his means, and would thus manifest His power to the heathen. “The Lord who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Kings 17:37). God rewarded the humility and confidence of His servant by giving him a splendid victory over the terrible giant. God wished, by this victory of David, to draw the eyes of the Israelites to his virtues, and to awaken in them a feeling of gratitude towards him who was to be their future king.
APPLICATION. Do you boast? Are you proud of your fine figure, of your strength, or of your understanding, memory &c.? Make a resolution to subdue promptly all such thoughts of self-complacency.
You, too, have a Goliath to overcome, namely your besetting sin. Ask yourself which is your besetting sin, whether anger, envy, pride, sloth &c. Against this sin you must fight, not once, but every day of your life, if you hope to overcome it. Your weapons must be prayer and watchfulness. Pray for the virtue opposed to your besetting sin, and take care to subdue its movements when it first appears.
