Am I, as a believer, safe as the Lord's property, and in the Lord's keeping?

Posted : 6 Jun, 2013 02:18 AM

Psalm 119:95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me; but I will consider Your testimonies.





Am I, as a believer, safe as the Lord's property, and in the

Lord's keeping? Yet must I expect that the wicked, the

ungodly, as the instruments of Satan, will not cease to

distress me. The Psalmist had before alluded to this trial, as

driving him to his refuge. And, indeed, this is the constant

character of the believer's walk-enduring the enmity of the

ungodly, and seeking his refuge in the word of God-in that

hiding-place of safety to which the word directs him. How

striking is the proof of the irreconcilable variance between

God and the world-the world encouraging all that is contrary to

God, and persecuting His image in His people! Yet the word

opens to us a sure defense. If our "soul is among lions,"

cannot we testify to the astonishment of the world-"My God

has sent His angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, that they

have not hurt me?" We hear indeed the roaring of the winds

and waves; but we hear also the voice hushing the storm to

rest-"Peace, be still."

The experience of this trial and support beautifully illustrates

the promise- "He who believes shall not make haste." He

whose hope is firmly fixed on that "tried corner-stone," which

God Himself has "laid in Zion as a sure foundation"-"shall not

be greatly moved;" no-he "shall not be moved" at all, by the

wicked waiting for him to destroy him. In the hour of difficulty,

instead of perplexing himself with successive expedients for

his safety (sought more from human contrivance, than from

asking counsel at the mouth of God) he "possesses his soul in

patience," and calmly commits all events to the Lord. Such a

man "shall not be afraid of evil tidings! his heart is fixed,

trusting in the Lord." 'This trust is grounded on the word of

God, revealing His power and all-sufficiency, and withal His

goodness, His offer of Himself to be the stay of the soul,

commanding us to rest upon Him. People wait on I know not

what persuasions and assurances; but I know no other to build faith on but the word of promise. The truth and

faithfulness of God opened up His wisdom, and power, and

goodness, as the stay of all those that, renouncing all other

props, will venture on it, and lay all upon Him. "He who

believes, sets to his seal that God is true:" and so he is sealed

for God; his portion and interest secured. "If you will not

believe, surely you shall not be established."'

But it is the considering of the Lord's testimonies that draws

out their staying support. The soul must be fixed upon them,

as "tried words, purified seven times in the fire." And in this

frame, I will, under all distresses, all circumstances of trial, or

even of dismay, consider Your testimonies. I will consider the

faithfulness of those blessed declarations-"There shall not an

hair of your head perish. Touch not My anointed." "He who

touches you, touches the apple of My eye." With this armor of

defense, I shall not be afraid, even should I hear the "evil

tidings," that the wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. Or

even should I be destroyed, I know that Your testimonies

cannot fail-that my rock is perfect-"that there is no

unrighteousness in Him;" and therefore, "though a host should

encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war

should rise against me, in this will I be confident." Whether,

then, I am delivered from the wicked, and live, "I live unto the

Lord;" or whether I fall into their snare, and "die-I die unto the

Lord;" for I will consider Your testimonies, assured that all

Your purposes shall be accomplished concerning me, as You

have said-"I will never leave you, nor forsake you." "You will

keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You."



by

Charles Bridges

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