2. Our expectations from him —
["He will be our guide even unto death." See how remarkably he guided Jehoshaphat on the occasion which we su]3pose to be more particularly referred to : he told Jehosha- phat where his enemies were, at what precise spot he should find them, and when he should go against them : twice was it repeated, " 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 van- quish 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: defend- ing 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 interpose 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 intei-cept the devourer's
t 2 Thess. i. 11, 12. » 2 Chron. xx. IG. ^ Isai. xxxi. 4, 5.
VOL. v. 13 B
370 PSx'^LMS, XLVin. 12—14. [581.
assault, even at the peril of lier 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 Covenant), who accompanied the destroying angel through the whole land of Egypt, and stepped forward, wherever he saw a blood-besj^rinkled door, to prevent him from executing his commission 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 pre- sent help in trouble : therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God ; 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 y." In a word, we may " cast all our care on Him who careth for us^;" assured, that, "if we only make God our refuge and habitation, no evil shall befall us^."]
Application —
1. Search then into your privileges, that you may have the true enjoyment of them —
[Think of people in a besieged city : with what delight would they view the towers and bulwarks which they had reason to believe no enemy could destroy ! And will not you, who have the Lord himself for your defence ? Consider the repre- sentation which he gives of himself, as a broad river, so broad that it cannot be passed but in boats ; yet so tempestuous, that no small vessel can live upon it ; and so full of rocks and shoals, that no large vessel can navigate it*^; which consequently, being impassable, secures to you, under all circumstances, the most perfect tranquillity: consider this, I say, and tell me, whether you ought not to be ever rejoicing in your God? I would that all of you should be fully acquainted with your privileges ; and that you should be frequently " walking about Zion, and telling her towers, and marking well her bulwarks, and considering attentively her palaces" in which you are lodged and feasted from day to day ; that so you may be happy