Serve God in the Use of Means.

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We must not presume upon the means without God—nor upon God without the means. Not upon the means without God, because the pipe cannot convey water, unless the spring communicates; not upon God without the means, because the goings forth of Providence are always in the paths of diligence.

Therefore in the assault of Amalek, while Moses prayed, Joshua went tofight. Just so, the operation of a Christian's faith should always be upon the mount, and industry in the valley: while the heart is lifted up in prayer—the hand should be stretched out in the fight. He is sure to rest in God—who is restless in the means. He who can devote himself to God—may exercise his faith in God's providence.

I must sow my seed—and wait upon the clouds for rain. I must do my work—and leave the event to God. I must neither be idle in the means—nor make on idol of the means. I will therefore lay my hands to the means, as if they were all in all; and yet look above the means—as if they were nothing at all.