Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established. Believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. – 2 Chron. 20:20.
Such was the advice of good Jehoshaphat in a time of invasion by a powerful army. Precious words; at all times seasonable. What can a child of God desire on this side heaven so much as establishment of mind and prosperity of soul? Both are obtained by faith; as the mind is established, so the soul prospers.
What is implied in being established? It is to be fixed and settled in the confidence of one's mind, and not to halt between two opinions, as those of old did between God and au idol. 1 Kings 18:21. Their minds were in suspense, agitated between two objects, and not steadily fixed upon either. So many sincere souls are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine; they are like children, not steadily fixed in their judgment, nor settled in their confidence in the Lord; yet they delight to hear the truths of God: in hearing, their souls are refreshed; but when hearing is over, their minds are shaken, their doubts and fears again return. O see and rejoice, for
The Lord himself is set forth as the object of our faith; believe, or trust in the Lord your God; nothing can establish the soul but faith. "Lord, increase our faith:" and to prayer we should add earnest diligence in searching the Scriptures, considering the safeness, fulness, and suitableness of the promises of the Lord to ns. To believe in the Lord, is to trust in and repose our minds upon his covenant-grace and love in Christ Jesus: to take him, as he has revealed himself, as our God and Father: to trust our souls and all our concerns in his hands, just as little children do by their parents. Their minds have no doubt of their father's love to them; when they want any thing, they ask for it; when in sorrow they tell him of it; and yet, what parent on earth has such a heart of love to his children as our heavenly Father has to us? Did any one ever so freely, fully, and affectionately manifest it?
Be ashamed of your unbelief, which keeps your souls from being establishing in his grace and truth: "it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." Heb. 13:9. Do we desire it, that our souls may prosper? Then "believe his prophets;" they testify of God the Father's love; of God the Son's salvation; and of peace and joy in God the Holy Ghost. Hear them, and your souls shall be established in grace: believe them, and your soul shall prosper.