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1. We begin the new year with anticipations, wondering what it hides in its hands for us. The limitations of human ignorance are most humiliating. We can tell where a comet will be in a thousand years, but not where we shall be to-morrow. We have plans, projects, purposes, but who knows aught of fulfilment, realisation, certainty? The providence of God is ever putting pressure upon us — the pressure of necessity, or that of desire and inclination, to go out and go on; but it is very much in the dark we have to go. To God the Lord belong the ongoings of life and the issues of death. The unknown journey ends in the darkening way of death.

2. The mystery of life is thus suggested by the text; it also teaches its newness. How many things are going to happen which never happened to us before I Old thoughts, eternal purposes of God, are ripening for us; and God never repeats Himself. Thus circumstanced, what charm, what spell will you take to your heart to bear you on and through to safety and home? Do you not need —

I. THE LIVING PRESENCE? Amid a changing world there is a changeless God. Standing where we do, at the entrance to a new way, "we are like those who, waiting a new arrival, go out to the gate to look for one who is coming — to listen for a footfall." We feel there is One, without whom life could hardly be life, or bring content.

II. GUIDANCE. A guide knows and directs. He knoweth the way we take. The word means, not mere acquaintance with, but anxiety concerning; careful observation; to trouble one's self about the matter. It is thus God knows. He concerns Himself about our way through life.

III. MERCIES. God knows all needs, and He provides. He will not leave nor forsake thee until He hath done that which He hath spoken to thee of. Bread shall be given — water shall be sure. Enough, by care and patient thrift, for living, for reasonable desires, for all; more for some. But unfailing mercies for every day, for always, for all. And this because "having loved His own who are in the world, He loves them to the end."

(W. H. Davison.)

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KJV: And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;

WEB: It happened after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;