David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.- 1 Samuel 17:37.
Faith, by ancient writers, has been styled ’the queen of graces.’ As such she displays her dignity, by disdaining to consult any power below the King of saints. When she calls in reason and reflection upon past experiences, it is to give all the glory to her sovereign Lord. Thus David makes confession of faith in his king. What was the gigantic size, the formidable appearance, and the haughty threatenings of his Philistine antagonist? To the eye of his faith, all were mean and contemptible; for he saw him that was invisible: he fixed his confidence on the invisible power of the Omnipotent. He considered not himself: "he was strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might:" he had sweet experience of the truth of his Lord: "To him that believeth, all things are possible."- Mark 9:23. He had seen the power of the Lord in delivering him from the fierceness of a lion, and from the strength of a bear; and therefore says, not with a perhaps or a peradventure, but absolutely in full confidence of faith, "The Lord hath delivered, and he will deliver." And the history fully assures us, "According to his faith, so it was."
Now "whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning."- Romans 15:4. Here is a lesson of instruction, from which disciples of Jesus may learn the doctrine of selfdespair.
Thine enemies are fierce as lions, strong as bears, potent and formidable as Goliath of Gath. To know thou hast neither might nor strength, and to despair of victory from thyself, is thy wisdom. This humbling lesson proud nature is averse to; but it is profitable to the spirit. By faith we glory in the Lord, and him only. Can I look back to past experience of his grace and power? Can I call to mind, that in such danger the Lord appeared as my deliverer? At such a time I sweetly experienced the Lord’s power, and triumphed over mine enemies? therefore I will trust in the Lord, and not be afraid. Past experiences encourage future hopes. A tried friend is a sure friend. To forget past mercies is ungrateful. To bury our Saviour’s former dealings with our souls in oblivion, is dishonorable to him; not to consider Jesus as the only hope, and live upon him day by day in the exercise of faith, is to live below our privilege. Never arraign his love, because he suffers thine enemies to put on a dreadful form, and attack thee with violence. This is to draw thy faith into exercise, that thy soul may have larger experience of his love and deliverance. Thus saith the Lord, (most comfortable words!) "Be not afraid nor dismayed, by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s."- 2 Chronicles 20:15.
What is your life? James 4:14.
A short day, full of evils; a span long, replete with crosses. Each revolving day brings its troubles; each fleeting moment, its sorrows. ‘Yes,’ says a soul, ‘I am a living witness of this: I am a mark for the enemy to shoot his fiery darts at; against man he daily renews his attacks, constantly buffets, and is ever busy with his subtle devices. Each morning I rise, I am brought into the field to exercise my arms; or on the stage, to conflict with my enemies. Truly, I am almost worn and wearied out. What with a sense of indwelling corruptions, the plague of my heart, the attacks of Satan, the troubles of the world, want of the sense of my Lord’s love, and the workings of unbelief;-my life is one continued scene of sorrow and distress.’ Remember, for your comfort, your life is short: your rest shall be eternal and glorious. Consider what one sweetly says, “It is the great work and difficulty, and yet duty of a Christian, to believe unseen and unfelt love, in and under wellseen and well-felt difficulties.” sometimes the Lord joins these together, as in 1 Thessalonians 1:6. “Having received the word in much affliction; with joy in the Holy Ghost.” Then, it is easy. But often the trouble is felt, while the love is hidden in the word. What is to be done in such a case? Faith can find love in the word of promise: receive it, fasten upon it, and live by it. Here opens a most delightful scene, a most glorious prospect! Here, lose sight of your life: it is swallowed up in that word, “Ye are dead, your life is hid with Christ in God: Christ is our life. (Colossians 3:3-4.) Never consider yourself, without Christ; nor your life, without his; nor his enemies, without his perfect victory over them, in your nature, for your person, and to your comfort and joy in him. Now say, what is your life? You have lost all the glory and comfort of it in Adam: you find all restored, with infinite addition, to you in Christ. Therefore, whatever your feelings and frames may be, yet live by faith upon him, above corrupt sense and carnal reason. This is a mystery unknown to the world. When you see professors following the pleasures of this life, seeking happiness from the gay scenes of vanity, you behold them turning their backs upon Christ, shewing the greatest contempt to him; and, in effect, saying of him, ‘The Lord, with all the treasures of his life and love, cannot make my life happy: I am forced to take up with the delights of the playhouse, and rant and revel in scenes of mirth and jollity.’ . . . From such a life-such a spirit-and such professors of Christ, good Lord! deliver us.
I have a better life than this,
‘Tis hid in Christ with God:
Let death this mortal body seize,
I have a sure abode.
Yea, now I live, (for Christ’s my life)
I taste the joys of love;
And when I die, then ends my strife-
I go to joys above.