1 kings give large
opportunities of doing good, but they are attended with many snares and
temptations. Men do not know much of the artifices of Satan and the
deceitfulness of their own hearts, when they covet riches with the idea of being
able to do good with them. What can hurt those whom God will protect? What can
shelter those whom God will destroy? Jehoshaphat is safe in his robes, Ahab
killed in his armour; for the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the
strong. We should be cautious of entangling ourselves in the worldly
undertakings of evil men; and still more we should avoid engaging in their
sinful projects. But, when they call upon him, God can and will bring his
faithful people out of the difficulties and dangers into which they have
sinfully run themselves. He has all hearts in his hand, so that he easily
rescues them. Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in the Lord.
