impracticable: but, if God was with him, what could he have to fear? He would be guided by a wisdom that could not err, and be aided by a power which could not be overcome. With such an assurance, what had he to do with discourage- ments? Could Pharaoh hurt him, whilst he was under such protection ; or the Israelites withstand his solicitations, when enforced by such powerful energy on their minds? Every difficulty should have vanished from his mind ; and he should have leaped for joy at the prospect of effecting so great and good a work.]
But it relates to us also, and pledges God to an equal extent in our behalf —
[A similar promise was given to Joshua, on an occasion precisely similar e : and that is quoted by the Apostle Paul as applicable to every true believer : " God hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee : so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto mef." Here the very promise made to Moses, is renewed to Joshua, and declared to belong to us also. Whatever difficulties, therefore, we may have to encounter in the discharge of our duty to God, we need not fear : his promised presence shall be with us in our efforts, and his almighty power secure to us a successful issue.]
The more minute consideration of the subject will fall under the next head of my discourse, whilst I endeavour to shew, II. The encouragement it affords to us —
We may properly view it, in the first place, as
applicable to Ministers —
[Ministers have, if I may so speak, the very same office delegated to them as was assigned to Moses: they are sent to bring men out of spiritual thraldom, and to deliver them from a bondage far more terrible than that of Egypt. The power that opposes them is far stronger than that of Pharaoh ; and the unhappy captives are in love with their chains : they are themselves as averse to leave their hard taskmaster, as he is to lose their services. Were we to go in our own strength, we should soon desert our post ; as Moses did, when, in re- liance on his own arm, he prematurely proffered to the people his assistance. But with the promise of God's presence, a promise specifically given to us by our Divine Master for our encouragement s, we go forthwith confidence; and to every obstacle that is in our way, we say, " Who art thou, O great
e Josh. i. 5. f Heb. xiii. 5, 6. e Matt, xxviii. 18.
64.] god's presence with his people. 325
mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plainV We know that the persons to whom we speak are as incapable of hearing our words, as dry bones scattered upon the face of the earth: }ret do we not despond, or even doubt the efficacy of our ministrations for those to whom we are sent: and, in de- pendence on this word, we hope and bebeve, that the word which we speak shall prove " the power of God to the salva- tion" of those who hear it. We are not unmindful of the cpues- tion put by the Apostle, " Who is sufficient for these things?" but, if the rod of Moses wrought effectually in his hand for the deliverance of Israel, we have no fear but that the word of God, by whomsoever administered, shall be alike effectual for all the ends for which it is sent. It is " the rod of God's strength;" and not all the powers of darkness shall be able to withstand it.]
But it is also applicable to God's people generally throughout the world —
[To this extent, as we have before observed, St. Paul applies it : and every believer needs it for his support. Every one is engaged in a great work, for which no finite power is sufficient : every one, therefore, needs to be encouraged with an assurance, that God will be with him in all his endeavours to perform it, and will secure to him the desired success. Be- liever, hast thou much to do for God, even so much as thou couldest have no hope of effecting without the arm of Omni- potence exerted in thy behalf? Hear what God has said for thine encouragement: " Fear thou not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness1." See here, how God, in every successive part of these promises, accommodates himself to thy weakness and thy fears. When he says, " I am with thee," a thought may per- haps arise, that he will be with thee only to witness thy defeat: he therefore adds, " I will be thy God." Does a sense of thy weakness press upon thee ? he further says, " I will strengthen thee." Art thou still discouraged, because the work is left to thee ? he adds, " I will help thee." Art thou still dejected, through an apprehension of thy failure at last? he takes the whole responsibility on himself, and declares, for thy comfort, " I will altogether uphold thee with the right hand of my righteous- ness." This may serve to shew (what we forbore to specify under the former head) the extent to which this promise goes, in relation to every thing which our necessities may require.