The faithfulness of God is almost questioned

Posted : 28 May, 2013 02:30 AM

Psalm 119:86 All Your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help me.





In the lengthened duration of trials, the eyes fail with looking

upward, the voice of prayer grows faint, and in a moment of

weakness, the faithfulness of God is almost questioned, as if

we should go mourning to the very end of our days. It is at

such a season that He who delights to "comfort them that are

cast down," realizes to the view of faith the unchangeable

faithfulness of His commandments with respect to His people.

In this recollection we can "look up and lift up our heads," and

"go on our way," if not "rejoicing," yet at least with humble

acquiescence; assured, that in the perseverance of faith and

hope, we shall ultimately be "more than conquerors through

Him that loved us."

Many Old Testament histories beautifully illustrate the reward

of this simplicity of faith in temporal emergencies. When Asa's

"hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of

Jacob," "his bow abode in strength." When at a subsequent

period he "trusted in man, and made flesh his arm, and his

heart departed from the Lord," he became, like Samson,

"weak, and as another man." So true is it, that no past

communications of Divine strength can stand in the stead of

the daily habit of dependence upon the Lord, without which

we are utterly helpless, and are overthrown in every conflict.

Our best prosperity, therefore, is to leave our cause in His

hands, looking upward in the simplicity of wretchedness for

His help: 'All Your commandments are faithful; they persecute

me wrongfully; help me. Wretched and forlorn I am; but Your

truth is my shield.'

Believer! This is your only posture of resistance. Should you

enter the field of conflict without this "shield of faith," some crevice will be found in your panoply, through which a "fiery

dart" will inflict a poisonous wound." But how can faith be

exercised without a distinct acquaintance with the object of

faith? We cannot repose trust in, or expect help from, an

unknown God-an offended God, whom every day's

transgression has made our enemy. There must, then, be

reconciliation, before there can be help. Those, therefore, who

are unreconciled by the death of Christ, cry for help to a God,

who does not hear, accept, or answer, them. But when Christ

is known as "the peace," and the way of access to God, what

instance can there be of trial or difficulty, when our reliance

upon the Lord will fail? Not indeed that we shall always return

from the throne of grace with the wished-for relief. For too

often we bring our burden before the Lord, and yet through

distrust neglect to leave it with Him. Oh! let us remember,

when we go to Jesus, that we go to a tried, long-proved, and

faithful friend. Dependence upon Him is victory. "The good

fight" is the fight "of faith." We are best able to resist our

enemy upon our knees; and even such a short prayer as thisHelp me-will bring down the strength of Omnipotence on our

side. But we might as well expect to crush a giant with a

straw, as to enter the spiritual conflict with weapons of carnal

warfare. Every trial realizes experimentally the help of a

faithful Savior. He does indeed deliver gloriously; and leaves

us nothing to do, but to "stand still," wonder, and praise. "Fear

not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will

show to you today; for the Egyptians, whom you have seen

today, you shall see them again no more forever."



by

Charles Bridges

Post Reply