Confidence is shaken from man, and established in God.

Posted : 18 Aug, 2013 05:46 AM

Psalm 119:150 They draw near that follow after mischief: they are far from Your law.



151. You are near, O Lord: and all Your commandments are truth.





The imminent danger in which David was living quickened his

cries to his God. Often does the Lord permit this pressing

trial!, Seldom, but in extremity, are our graces brought to their

full exercise. Confidence is then shaken from man, and

established in God. For now it is that we enjoy our God as "a

very present help in trouble," and that our dependence on His

commandment is a true and solid foundation of comfort to our

soul. A dreadful character is indeed drawn of the ungodly They are far from God's law-and that not from ignorance, but

from willful enmity. This is God's witness against them; and

they are not ashamed to consent, that this "witness is true."

No wonder, therefore, that those, that are far from God's law,

should draw near to follow after mischief. But if they draw

near, the Lord is nearer still. "I am your shield"-says He to His

distressed child-who echoes back the promise in the

cheerfulness of faith-"You are my hiding place, and my shield:

I hope in Your word." Elisha knew the power of this shield,

when he quelled the alarm of his terrified servant. He beheld

them draw near that follow after mischief. But the eye of faith

assured his heart; and when "the Lord opened the eyes of the

young man," he too was enabled to testify-You are near, O

Lord!

But near as the Lord is to His people as their outward shield,

is He not yet nearer still, as dwelling in their hearts? Here is

"His temple," His desired habitation-like Zion of old, of which

He said-"This is my rest forever; here will I dwell, for I have

desired it." This is the dwelling, which, once possessed of its

Divine Inhabitant, will never be left desolate. Our spiritual enemies, like David's persecutors, are ever

present and active. The devouring "lion," or the insinuating

"serpent," is near to follow after mischief; and so much the

more dangerous, as his approaches are invisible. Near also is

a tempting, ensnaring world: and nearer still a lurking world

within, separating us from communion with our God. But in

turning habitually and immediately to our stronghold, we can

enjoy the confidence- You are near, O Lord. Though "the High

and Lofty One, whose name is Holy;" though the just and

terrible God, yet are You made near to Your people, and they

to You, "by the blood of the cross." And You manifest Your

presence to them in "the Son of Your love."

Indeed to the Son Himself, the nearness of His Father's

presence was a source of consolation and support, when they

drew near, that followed after mischief. "He is near"-said he-

"which justifies Me: who will contend with Me? let us stand

together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to Me.

Behold! the Lord God will help Me: who is he who shall

condemn Me? Lo they all shall wax old as does a garment:

the moth shall eat them up." "Behold," said He to His

frighted disciples, as His hour drew near-"the hour comes,

yes is now come, that you shall be scattered every one to his

own, and shall leave Me alone: and yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with Me." And thus His people in earthly

desolation flee to the promises of their God; and in the

recollection of His faithful, ever-present help, "set to their

seal," that all His commandments are truth. The mischief

intended for them only proves, that "You, Lord, will bless the

righteous; with favor will You compass him as with a shield."

But may the Lord not only be brought near in our interest in

Him, but may we be kept near in communion with Him! Let our

hearts be sacred to Him. Let us be most careful to watch

against any strangeness with this beloved Friend, and to

cultivate a growing cordiality and closeness in our walk with Him. If our character is formed by the society in which we live,

what "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" should we find,

what a spirit of unbounded love should we imbibe-by a nearer

and more constant communion with Him; willing as He is to

impart Himself freely, inexhaustibly unto us! In a backsliding

state, we must expect to lose this heavenly nearness. In a

state of darkness, it is the exercise of faith, to believe that

unseen He is near; and the practical influence of faith will lead

us to speak, and pray, and think, and praise, "as seeing Him

who is invisible." In a state of enjoyment, let us anticipate the

time when He will be ever near to us.

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold! the

tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them,

and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with

them, and be their God."



by

Charles Bridges

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