Intercourse with God is Isaac's first blessing. **The
Lord appeared to him, and said. Sojourn in this land, and
I will be with thee."^ This was no creature bestowed : it
was more, even the felt presence of the Lord Himself,
better than all His gifts. But this belongs to certain
ground. In Egypt, nay among the Philistines, half way

* See on chap. xz. * Cbap. xliz. 23. * Chap, xxvi 3.
Paet v.] laaaCy or the Spirit of Sonahip. 299

to Egypt, the elect does not enjoy this. If Isaac walks
with Gtod, the Lord appears. In Oeiar, his walk is before
Abimelech ; therefore the Lord is not seen. But no sooner
is Isaac restored, than worship and with it heavenly revela-
tions at once commence again. So we read, ** Isaac went
up firom thence to Beersheba, and the Lord appeared to
him the same night ; and Isaac builded an altar there, and
called upon the name of the Lord."*

It is so stilL The ground of promise often tries us, but
conscious intercourse with the Lord is here abundantly
enjoyed by ua Driven by trial we get off this ground,
turning to sense; and we find that though this or the
other trial ceases, God's revelations will cease also. On
the ground of promise, Crod is needed. To stand there,
did not God interfere, would be far beyond our spirit's
powers. Our very need therefore calls out for God, and in
the need He reveaLs Himself as He could not otherwise.
