The blessing of the guidance of the Lord's word naturally strengthens our resolution to walk in its path.

Posted : 19 Jun, 2013 02:12 AM

Psalm 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep Your righteous judgments.





The blessing of the guidance of the Lord's word naturally

strengthens our resolution to walk in its path. And as if a

simple resolution would prove too weak, the Psalmist

strengthens it with an oath. No more, as if an oath was hardly

sufficient security, be seconds it again with a firm resolution-I

have sworn, and I will perform it. 'There shall be but one will

between me and my God; and that will shall be His, not mine.'

Some timid Christians, under a morbid sense of their own

weakness, would shrink from this solemn engagement. And

some, perhaps, may have burdened their consciences with

unadvised or self-dependent obligations. Still, however, when

it is a free-will offering, it is a delightful service, well-pleasing

to God. Such it was in the days of Asa, when "all Judah

rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart,

and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of

them."

Vows under the law were both binding and acceptable. Nor

are they less so- in their spirit at least-under "the perfect law

of liberty." A holy promise originating in serious consideration,

and established by a more solemn obligation, so far from being repugnant to the liberty of the gospel, appears to have

been enjoined by God Himself; no, His people are described

as animating each other to it, as to a most joyous privilege; as

a renewed act of faith and daily dedication.

Yet we would warn the inconsiderate Christian not to entangle

his conscience by multiplied vows (as if they were-like prayera component part of our daily religion); nor by perpetual

obligation-whether of restraint or of extraordinary exercises;

nor by connecting them with trifles-thus weakening the deep

solemnity of the purpose. Christian simplicity must be their

principle. Our engagements to God must be grounded on His

engagements to us. His faithfulness-not ours-must be our

confidence. There is no innate power in these obligations; and

except they be made in self-renouncing dedication, they will

only issue in despondency and deeper captivity in sin.

But the inconsiderateness of the unwary is no legitimate

argument against their importance. If Jephthah was entangled

in a rash and heedless vow, David manifestly enjoyed the

"perfect freedom" of the "service" of his God, when "binding

his soul with a bond" equally fixed, but more advised, in its

obligation. And have we; with "the vows of God upon us,"

baptismal vows- perhaps also confirmation or sacramental

vows-found our souls brought into bondage by these solemn

engagements? Does not a humbling sense of forgetfulness

suggest sometimes the need of a more solemn engagement?

And may we not thus secure our duty without being ensnared

by it? Have not covenanting seasons often restrained our feet

from devious paths, and quickened our souls in His service?

Daily, indeed, do we need "the blood of sprinkling" to pardon

our innumerable failures, and the Spirit of grace to strengthen

us for a more devoted obligation. But yet in dependence upon

the work and Spirit of Christ, often have these holy

transactions realized to us a peace and joy, that leads us to

look back upon such times and seasons of favored enjoyment. "If," therefore, "we sin" in a "perpetual backsliding"

from these engagements, it is still our privilege without

presumption to believe, that "we have an advocate with the

Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation

for our sins." And as for necessary grace, there is One who

has said-"My grace is sufficient for you;" and that One has

given no less a proof of His interest in us, than by dying for us.

May we not therefore trust, that He will "perfect that which

concerns us;" that He will "work all our works in us"-"to will

and to do of His good pleasure?"

Perhaps however "a messenger of Satan "may "buffet us."

"You have broken your bond; now will it be worse with you

than before." But did not Jesus die for sins of infirmity, and

even of presumption? Does every failing annul the marriage

covenant? So neither does every infirmity or backsliding

dissolve our covenant with God. Was our faithfulness the

basis of this covenant? Rather, does not "the blood of this

covenant" make constant provision for our foreseen

unfaithfulness? And does not our gracious God overrule even

our backsliding to establish a more simple reliance upon

Himself, and a more circumspect and tender walk before

Him?

But let us take a case of conscience. A Christian has been

drawn away from a set season of extraordinary devotion by

some unforeseen present duty, or some unlooked-for

opportunity of actively glorifying God. Has he then broken his

obligation? Certainly not. It was, or ought to have been,

formed with an implied subservience to paramount duty. It

cannot, therefore, be impaired by any such providential

interference. Yet let it not be a light matter to remove a freewill offering from the altar. Let godly care be exercised to

discover the subtle indulgence of the flesh in the service of

God. Let double diligence redeem the lost privilege of more

immediate and solemn self-dedication. In guarding against legal bondage, let us not mistake the liberty of the flesh for the

liberty of the Gospel. Let us be simple and ready for self denying service; and the Lord our God will not fail to give

"some token for good."

"Come" then, my fellow-Christian, "and let us join ourselves to

the Lord in a perpetual covenant, never to be forgotten" by

God: never to be forsaken by us. Let each of us renew our

surrender-"O Lord, truly I am Your servant;" I offer myself to

You: "You have loosed my bonds;" oh! bind me to Yourself

with fresh bonds of love, that may never be loosed. Glad am I

that I am anything-though the lowest of all; that I have

anything-poor and vile as it is-capable of being employed in

Your service. I yield myself to You with my full bent of heart

and will, entirely and forever; asking only, that I may be "a

vessel for the Master's use."

by

Charles Bridges

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