"And Forthwith the Angel Departed."
THE angel was with Peter just so long as he needed his presence and aid. Peter could not unloose the chains with which he was bound, nor unlock the prison doors, nor put to sleep the soldiers by whom he was guarded, nor open the iron gate that led unto the city. He needed the angel to do all this for him; and all this the angel did, and led him along into the city till Peter understood where he was, and could find his own way; and then "forthwith the angel departed from him." And thus it is. It is God's way to grant a special aid so far as is needful, and for the rest leave us to ourselves. We have a fit illustration in the case of the mother hen. How careful is she of her little chickens! How diligently does she provide food for them all the day long! How bravely does she protect them from danger! How tenderly does she cover them with her wings, to shield them from the storm and the cold! All this she unceasingly does for them till they are competent to care for themselves, and then she "forthwith departs from them." We see this also in the special care of God for the Israelites in the wilderness. During all those forty years they were in circumstances where they could not well provide for themselves. They were on a journey—a pilgrimage to the land of promise. They could not delay to cultivate fields, nor could they take all their flocks and herds along with them. They were in a special manner dependent on God, and so in a special manner he provided for them. He rained manna from heaven upon them. Every morning they found it round about their camp, and all they had to do was to gather it. Not for a day, during all those many years, did it fail, except on the Sabbath, and for this they were provided by the fall of a double portion on the preceding day. Not until they had crossed the Jordan, and taken possession of their promised inheritance, and were well supplied with its fruits, did the manna cease to fall. But then, when they needed it not, it was no more to be found. This is the record: "And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more, but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year." And thus it is. The people of God may expect his special aid so far as that aid is needed, but no further. What they can do for themselves, they must not depend on God to do for them. When the manna is needed, they may look to God to supply it. When the interposition of angels is required, their aid may be expected; but only then. We must not be presumptuous. There is a part for us to do. Let us be careful to do it, and God will not be wanting on his part.—Sel.