istian may need the rod of adversity to keep him mindful
of his dependence on God, and prevent his resting on the creature for
support. For after union with Christ, worldly objects retain too large
a share of his affection, and he is too much inclined to lean upon
them. His attachment to these things is often too strong; draws away
his heart from God, and renders him too little mindful of him who is
his portion and rest. Therefore is it often necessary to deprive him
of his earthly dependencies, that being desolate, he may return to God
and renew his reliance on him.

It becomes the desolate, not only to trust in God, but to be thankful
that they may trust in him. Those who have God for their portion, have
an abiding satisfying portion. God will be more and better to them
than earthly friends, or earthly treasures. Friends often forsake
them; or cease to be friends, and become enemies--"Riches take
to themselves wings and fly away." But God abides; he hath said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. *

* Hebrews xiii. 5.

Now _she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, while she trusteth in
God continueth in supplications and prayers night and day_.

Those of this character when they find themselves destitute of worldly
comforts and supports, go to God and pour out their souls into his
bosom. Like the Psalmist they stir up themselves to trust in him. We
find that saint expostulating with himself in a time of trouble and
darkness, and chiding his despondent temper. "Why art thou cast down,
O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God;
for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and
my God."

While thus stirring up themselves to trust in God, the saints pour out
their souls before him in fervent prayer. This the apostle declares to
be the manner of those, whom he terms _widows indeed--they trust in
God, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day_.

Such was the aged Anna, who met the infant Savior, when he was brought
into the temple, to do for him after the custom of the law. "She
departed not from the temple, but served God, with fastings and
prayers night and day."

The child, when in affliction, is wont to run to its parents and tell
them the sad tale of its sorrows. So the child of God, stripped of
other supports, spreads its grief before him who possesses all power,
and is able to deliver out of all distresses: And as the child
continues its cries