The whole gift of the mercy of God

Posted : 25 Mar, 2013 02:20 AM

Psalm119:42 So shall I have with which to answer him who

reproaches me; for I trust in Your word.





What is the salvation which he had just been speaking of?

The whole gift of the mercy of God-redemption from sin,

death, and hell-pardon, peace, and acceptance with a

reconciled God-constant communication of spiritual blessings all that God can give, or we can want; all that we are able to

receive here, or heaven can perfect hereafter. Now if this

comes to us-comes to our hearts-surely it will furnish us at all

times with an answer to him who reproaches us. The world

casts upon us the reproach of the cross. "What profit is there

that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?"

What is there to counterbalance the relinquishment of

pleasure, esteem, and worldly comfort? The mere professor

can give no answer. He has heard of it, but it has never come

to Him. The believer is ready with his answer, 'I have found in

the Lord's salvation pardon and peace-"not as the world

gives"- and such as the world cannot take away. Here,

therefore, do I abide, finding it my happiness not to live

without the cross, and testifying in the midst of abounding

tribulation, that there are no comforts like Christ's comforts.'

This was David's answer, when family trials were probably an

occasion of reproach. "Although my house be not so with

God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for this is all my salvation and

all my desire."

But there is a far heavier reproach than that of the world-when

the grand accuser injects hard thoughts of God-when he

throws our guilt and unworthiness-our helplessness and

difficulties, in our face. And how severe is this exercise in a

season of spiritual desertion! Except the believer can stay his

soul upon "a God who hides Himself, as still the God of Israel,

the Savior," he is unprepared with an answer to him who

reproaches him. Such appears to have been Job's condition,

and Heman's, not to speak of many of the Lord's most favored

people, at different stages of their Christian life. Most

important, therefore, is it for us to pray for a realizing sense of

the Lord's mercies-even of His salvation-not only as

necessary for our peace and comfort-but to garrison us

against every assault, and to enable us to throw down the

challenge-"Rejoice not against me, O my enemy; when I fall, I

shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to

me." Free grace has saved me-an unspotted righteousness

covers me-an Almighty arm sustains me-eternal glory awaits

me. Who shall condemn? "Who shall separate us from the

love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?"

Now, for this bold front to our enemies, nothing is wanted

beyond the reach of the weakest child of God. No

extraordinary holiness-no Christian establishment in

experience-nothing but simple, humble faith-For I trust in Your

word. Faith makes this salvation ours, in all its fullness and

almighty power: and, therefore, our confidence in the word will

make us "ready always to give an answer to every one who

asks us a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and

fear." "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;

and every tongue that rises against you in judgment, you shall

condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord; and

their righteousness is of Me, says the Lord." But how often is our Christian boldness paralyzed by our

feeble apprehensions of the salvation of God! Clear and full

evangelical views are indispensable for the effective exercise

of our weighty obligations. Any indistinctness here, from its

necessary mixture of self-righteousness and unbelief,

obscures the warrant of our personal interest, and therefore

hinders the firm grasp of Almighty strength. Coldness and

formality also deaden the power of Christian boldness. Much

need, therefore, have we to pray for a realized perception of

the freeness, fullness, holiness, and privileges of the Gospel.

Much need have we to use our speedy diligence, without

delay; our painful diligence, without indulgence: our continual

diligence, without weariness; that we be not satisfied with

remaining on the skirts of the kingdom; that it be not a matter

of doubt, whether we belong to it or not; but that, grace being

added to grace, "so an entrance may be ministered to us

abundantly, into" all its rich consolations and everlasting joys.



by

Charles Bridges

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