begins with and. The objective of the Syrian army was the king of Israel, and Elisha led them to him,

The lesson of this narrative is the proximity of God’s guardian hosts. They are a cordon of protection to his children. The mountain is full of them. Elisha had seen them convoy his master home; he never expected that he would have the honor of their care. We do not need more help than is already within reach, but we do need grace to see the things that are freely given to us of God, John 4:10.

15. The Dire Straits of Those Who Forsake God:

2 Kings 6: 24-33. This siege was the result of Ahab’s foolish and misplaced leniency. See 1 Kings

20:42. The children are often called to suffer for the misdeeds and follies of their parents. Let us bear this in mind. ‘‘No man liveth to himself.’’? Conduct yourself so that none may be offended through long years after you have passed from earth.

Apparently Elisha had counseled the king not to surrender, with the further assurance of deliverance on condition of his repentance. Jehoram therefore assumed the signs of penitence and contrition without the reality; and when the promised deliverance was not forthcoming, he put the blame of Israel’s calamities on the prophet, and vowed vengeance against his life. The elders were gathered with Elisha, perhaps for prayer, when Elisha apprised them of the advent of the king’s messenger, with his announcement of the royal determination not to wait for God any longer. The trial of our patience is more precious than of gold, but how few of us can endure it!

2 Kings 7: 1-11. There is a sore famine just now over the whole world,—a famine of God’s Word. For some years the Church has felt its growing severity, but there are two classes within her borders: they who believe that God ean open the windows of heaven, and pour down such a blessing that there will not be room to receive it, Mal. 3:10; and those who, like the unbelieving courtier, jeer at the hope of the saints. Let us answer the skeptic’s ‘‘Can God?’’ by the positive achievements of faith.

When God sends blessings to his people, he rarely takes methods that we might expect. Rather, he chooses the weak and foolish things, yea, those that are not, to confound those that are, so as to prevent flesh from glorying in his presence. Whenever, in the first glint of the morning light, you discover the divine answer to your prayers, in all its plenteous abundance, do not keep the good news to yourself lest punishment overtake you, but be sure to bear the glad tidings to

others. When it is a day of good tidings, be sure to act upon them, in faith and patience, counting it a sin to hold your peace,

2 Kings 7: 12-20. The lepers were first in the deserted camp. The abundance was awaiting the starving populace, but only a few outcasts tasted it. So Christ’s wealth and unsearchable riches are for all, but often the outcasts gathered by the Salvation Army know more about them than the children of the church. The cottager who early opens his window for his sick child, knows more of the summer morning than does the millionaire who sleeps within curtained windows. But be sure you tell out what you know, else you sin against God and man. There is enough for all. To scatter is to increase. '

Though this plenty had been predicted, it seemed too good to be believed. Send out your scouts, O Church of God! As the result of our Lord’s victory at Calvary, the roads—north, south, east, and west—have been trodden by your fleeing foes and are strewn with spoil. But beware lest, in the day of the Lord’s deliverance, you see with your eyes but are unable, through unbehef, to partake, Luke 13:28. Man’s unbelief cannot hinder God’s purpose, but it excludes the unbeliever, who perishes amid abundance. :