There is nothing but a regard to God himself that can ever overcome the fear of man : on which account our blessed Lord says, " Fear not man, who can only- kill the body, and after that hath no more that he can do ; but fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell''." The same truth is suggested in my text, only in somewhat of a more gentle form : " Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord, shall be safe."
Would we then be delivered from the foregoing snare, let us put our trust in God,
1. For happiness —
[A man who is dependent on the world for his happiness, must of necessity be in bondage to its maxims, its habits, its votaries. But one whose heart is fixed upon God, and who looks up to God as his portion, feels himself at liberty. It is to him a small matter whether the world frown or smile. All that he is anxious about, is, to retain the favour of God, and to have the light of his countenance lifted up upon him. His inte- rest, his reputation, his life may be endangered ; but he smiles at the vain attempts of his enemies. They may shut him up from all access of earthly friends ; but they cannot deprive him of communion with God : on the contrary, his communications from God are, for the most part, enlarged, in proportion as man's efforts to distress him are increased. And " when God giveth quietness, who then can make trouble*^?"]
2. For support —
[A man, when menaced by earthly enemies, is driven to the Lord for succour : and, O ! what strength does he find communicated to him in the hour of need! Assured of strength according to his day, the believer disregards the utmost efforts of his persecutors. The furnace may be heated seven times more than usual, or the lions have their appetites whetted for their prey ; but his mind is in peace, because he " knows in whom he has believed, and that God is able to keep that which has been committed to him." Whether he shall be delivered by God from his trials, or be supported under them, he knows not : but he is assured, that whatever be done by his enemies, shall " work together for his good;" and that, in the issue, he shall " prove more than conqueror, through Him who loved him."]
3. For recompence —
[To heaven the believer looks, as his final rest : and in the prospect of that, all the transitory events of time become of no account in his estimation. The crown of victory and of
<• Matt. X. 28. e Job xxxiv. 29.