with care and patience. "Thus shall they cleanse the land." "Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, with a perfect heart.” (2 Chron. xix. 9.)

After conquering there must be cleansing. In Numbers xxxi. 24 Moses commanded those who had been in the war to cleanse themselves before they could come into the camp to mix with others. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor. vii. 1.)

"A vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, prepared unto every good work.” (2 Tim. ii. 21.)

"Ever ready, therefore ever used."

"Toil on, faint not, keep watch and pray;

Be wise the erring soul to win;
Go forth into the world's highway,
Compel the wanderer to come in."

BONAR.

The Valley of Rephaim ;

OR,

THE VALLEY OF WATCHING AND WAITING.

THE VALLEY OF REPHAIM;

OR,

THE VALLEY OF WATCHING AND WAITING.

"HE who enquireth with an earnest mind,
'Lord, what is truth?' shall very surely find
That which he seeketh. Man asks not in vain
The way to heaven; God will make it plain."

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."-Ps. xxxii. 8.

"Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel."-Ps. lxxiii. 24.

"Ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your

"I being in the way, the Lord led me.”—Gen. xxiv. 12–27.

"Master, say on! Thy words are sweet,

I hush my heart to hear;

I wait in silence for Thy voice,

That is so true and clear."

THE VALLEY OF REPHAIM;

OR,

The Valley of Watching and Waiting.

2 SAMUEL v. 17-25.

"The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."-2 Sam. v. 18.

HE account of two of David's victories over the Philistines. On both occasions they were the aggressors. This valley is also called the Valley of

Giants; it is near Jerusalem.

We learn in this valley lessons of prayer, watching, waiting upon God for guidance, dependence upon God, submission and obedience. How beautiful David's attitude before God!

"Submit yourself to God, and you shall find
God fights the battles of a will resigned."

"David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt Thou deliver them into

mine hand?" David was raised up to save Israel out of the hands of the Philistines (chap. iii. 18); so he might well have said, "Here is the opportunity; there can be no doubt about it." But he would not go before the Lord, and he would not go without the Lord. He was ready (see v. 17), but he would not start without divine orders. Notice his prayer, Shall I? . . . Wilt Thou? His dependence upon God for success: "Wilt Thou deliver them into mine hand?"

"And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand." (v. 19.) God's answer to David's prayer, David depended upon God's pre

word for word.

sence and power, not his own skill.

God was with

It is well for

him, and David rested on that fact. us to remember there can be no victory unless God wins it. There is no good in our going anywhere alone. When God goes forth, He invites us to go with Him; let us then be ready to go anywhere with Him. We often hear it said, "May God be with you in such a work, or at such a gathering." But would it not be better to say, "May you be with God?" If it is God's work, He will be there; and where He is there must be real work. question is, Are we with Him in it? If it is not His work, better for us not to be there at all.

The

“And David came to Baal-perazim, and David