A Personal Interview
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P s a I m i st (43:5) talks to himself. He interviews his soul "My S 0 U l ' " h e S a y S ' " W h y a r t t h o u c a s t d o w n ? a n d why art thou. dis-
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Praise Him."
U 6 8 f e r s o n a I l t y is triune. Here the speaker, in the first person, talks S0U I n t h e S e C O nd p e r s o n ' w h i c h h e v i e w s l n the third person a s ^ a state of dejection. This, I doubt not, is a faint reflection of the tri-personal God, in whose image we are made. r ^ y It is profitable to talk to one's self, if it is done with all the deliberation of seeking a conference. Most are too busy to get acquainted with themselves r y and it is small wonder that they do not acquaint themselves with God W e ^ t 0 W t 0 " b e r e a d y a t a U t l m e S t 0 g i v e ^ e r y man that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you," and no one is more apt to ask than one's self. To say, "My soul, what ground have you for your hope?" might lead to unpleasant but fl ot- the less profitable revelations. Our cheerful confidence might appear pure presumption. Our optimism may be due to fine physical health to the smooth running of our worldly affairs, to a good bank account, or to pleas- ureable anticipation of temporal good things to come. Such disclosures might drive one to seek a firmer footing, that he may not despair should sudden disaster 5> overtake him. l ^ f l M ° n the other hand,, to ask "My soul, why art thou cast down?" might gather that the cause of dejection and disquietude was but a mirage of misery The ^ original verb is passive and our question should read, "My soul, why art thou , ? ,..casting thyself down?" Which brings this curious fact to the surface- Most of ^ our dejection is our own work. Our blue is of home manufacture; for we are more often architects of our misfortunes than of our fortunes. In such case it w i u so hard with the soul to give a satisfactory answer. "Why were you so merry at two o'clock, and so sad at three?" or, "Why did you go to bed so cheerv T " a d h W a k 6 - S ° bloomy?" What Satanic, or angelic, messenger S £a S comm n S M with you since you have not touched the outer world from mood to mood? The soul H ® m a y l a u f h . at the absurdity of her reason, or blush at the folly of it; or it may repent of its distrust, ingratitude or impiety. y P Y f t there may be seeming ground for disquiet. She may, this soul have more than imaginary trouble; may tell of bodily misery, of material loss I I * ~ ™ ° f h e a r t : T S h e m a y l a m e n t h e r unfruitfulness, moral infirmity, or open sin. These are real causes for dejection, but not for despair. It is good to draw from one's soul her whole tale of woe; that we bid her hope in God and resolvl S y et P r a l s e Hto. W h 0 is the help of her countenance and her God (Ro 35-39). We may then remind her of Him who restored to Jacob his mur- f dered son and rebuked his years of melancholy; Who changed for Joseph his torn and bloody coat for a royal robe; Who brought water from the flintv rock made ravens nursing mothers to the hungry prophet, forgave a Magdalene, and bore a pardoned thief to Paradise. Many a man might save his soul if he would seat her opposite and search her irith^his questions: "My soul, what art thou?" "Whence earnest t hou '" „Why art thou here?" "What doest thou here?" "Whither art thou going?" What wilt thou meet beyond?" And would save it, indeed, could he say to it • , V n G o d ' . a n d P e r s u a d e it to respond, "I shall yet praises Him who | is the help of my countenance and my God." L x W x I x l M M Dg ^
"Now God be praised that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair."
J. H. S.
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