The end of this survey is, '' that we may tell it to the generation following :" which shews, that, both for their sakes and our own, we should con- template,
II. The consolation arising from it —
What was written so many centuries ago, belongs no less to us than it did to those from whom the im- mediate occasion for it was taken. It calls our attention to the God of Zion, and reminds us of,
1. Our
" Ps. cxxv. I. '' Isai. Vu 8.
1C6 PSALMS, xLviri. la — 14. [367.
] . Our interest in him —
[" This God is our God for ever and ever." He is tlie same in himself; and hears the same relation to us; and feels the same concern for 7is as he did for his Church of old.
" He changeth not :" " he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." " With him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." And is he not our Father, our Friend, our Re- deemer, our God ? When did he cease to sustain these relations to his Church and people ? or when did he cease to be mindful of the offices which these relations imply ? If it be said, He has ceased to work miracles ; we grant it : but has he therefore withdrawn himself from the Church and from the world, so as to shut up his loving-kindness from us, and to be gracious to us no more ? Were we indeed to believe the infidel and ungodly world, we should say with them, that " God has forsaken the earth :" but we know the contrary : we know, that if God's pre- sence and agency be less visible than formerly, they are not a whit less real ; and that he feels for his people at this hour, as much as ever he did at any period of the world. " He knows their sorrows '5," and "in all their afflictions is afflicted "^r" nor can an enemy touch so much as one of them, without touching " the apple of his eye ^"
Take this then into your consideration, in connexion with the foregoing survey. The same God as watched so tenderly over his people of old, is your God ; and watches over you, with the same care as he did over them. His purposes have as much re- spect to you as to them : his perfections are all engaged as much for you, as for them : his promises are made no less to you, than to them. For you the work of Christ, the office of the Spirit, and the whole economy of Redemption, have secured blessings, as well as for them. And the same Spirit who was poured forth in such abundant measures upon our Reformers, and endued them with such consummate wisdom and grace, is ready to " work upon your hearts, and to " fulfil in you also all the good pleasure of God's goodness, and the work of faith with power, so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ*." I say then, know from the records of the Church of old what a God you have to go to, and that " this God is your God for ever and ever."]
2. Our expectations from him—
['* He will be our guide even unto death." See how re- markably he guided Jehosaphat on the occasion which we sup- {)ose to be more particularly referred to : he told Jehosaphat where his enemies were, at what precise spot he should find
them, "i Exod. iii. 7. " Isai. Ixiii 9. ' Zech. ii. 8. ' 3Tiies3. i. II, 12.
367.] THE church's security in GOD. 167
them, and when he should go against them : twice was it re- peated, " To-morrow go out against them"." !So he knows exactly where our enemies are, and what they design against us, and how they are to be met: and though he will not vancjuish them without our fighting, yet, if we go forth against them in dependence on him, " he will be with us," and will subdue them before us. Suppose our most formidable enemies now in array against us; and see in what way he will interpose in our behalf: *' Like as a lion," says he, " and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them : so shall the Lord of Hosts come down to fight for Mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem : defending also, he will deliver it ; and passing over, he will preserve if." Here are no less than three figures, rising in a climax one above the other, to illustrate the zeal and efficacy with which he will inter- pose for us. The first is, that of a lion, who, when devouring his prey, will not be intimidated by the noise of shepherds, how numerous soever they may be : (This marks the determination with which Jehovah will prosecute our cause.) The next is that of a parent bird, who, when she sees a bird of prey hovering over her young, and ready to dart upon them, will fly with the utmost rapidity to intercept the devourer's assault, even at the peril of her own life : (This shews the tender interest which Jehovah will take in our welfare, and the efforts he will make in our behalf.) The last is that of the attendant Angel (the Angel of the Cove- nant), who accompanied the destroying angel through the whole land of Egypt, and stepped forward, wherever he saw a blood- besprinkled door, to prevent him from executing his conmiission there: and so effectually constrained him to '^ pass over '^ the houses of the Israelites, that, whilst in every house in Egypt the first-born of man and beast was slain, not one of either was slain in any house belonging to the Children of Israel : (This shews the efficacy with which Jehovah will espouse our cause.) Now then what have we to fear with such a Protector ? Let men or devils combine against us, we need not give ourselves one moment's concern. Under all such circumstances, the Psalmist's language should be ours : " God is our refuge and strength ; a very present help in trouble : therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains l)e carried into the midst of the sea. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of Godj the holy place of the taber- nacles of the Most High : God is in the midst of her ; she shall , not be moved : God shall help her, and that right early^." In a word, we may "cast all our care on Him who careth for us'^ ;"