god's delight in saving sinners.
Zeph. iii. 17. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty : he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy : he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
HOW wonderful are these expressions, as uttered by Jehovah himself, in reference to such a worthless and sinful creature as man ! But they are the very words of the Most High God addressed to his Church of old, and, in them, to us also. Behold then,
I. What bright prospects are here for the Jewish Church !
[Greatly had they sinned against their God and raised his indignation against them. Hence they are threatened with
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utter destruction3. But their enemies too had grievously offended ; and therefore they also are threatened with the visitations of his wrath b. But in the midst of judgment God remembered mercy towards his ancient people ; and by his prophet announced his purpose to bring them back unto him- self, and to make them happy in the enjoyment of his lovec. But, scattered as they are over the face of the whole earth, this seemed to be almost impossible. He therefore reminds them how "mighty" he is to save, even as in the day that he delivered them from their Egyptian bondage. And, as he had rejoiced over her to do her good in former days, so would he again in the latter day, taking away all her judgments, casting out all her enemies, and so perpetuating his mercies towards her that she should not see evil any mored." ]
But let us notice also,
II. What bright prospects are here for every indivi- dual believer !
" Fear not, believer, nor let thy hands be slack," but consider for thine encouragement what thy God has here so graciously set before thee ; namely,
1. His power to save —
[He who was in his Church of old, is equally present with thy soul: and he, even " the Lord thy God, is mighty." See what he wrought in the days of old, when he brought forth his people out of Egypt, delivering them from all their enemies,e and supplying all their wants f. And " is his hand now shortened that he cannot save, or his ear heavy that he cannot hearg?" Be assured, there is not any thing which he will not accomplish for you also, through the care of his providence11 and the operation of his grace1.]
2. His determination to save —
[" He will save ;" and none shall hinder him. Having bought you with the blood of his dear Son, and committed you to him, he will suffer "none to pluck you out of his hands." Under all circumstances, "the grace of Christ shall be sufficient for you," and "the strength of Christ be magnified in your weakness." Only " be strong in the Lord and in the
a Zeph. i. 12—18. * Zeph. ii. 1—15. c ver. 9—13.
d ver. 15. If this were the subject of a Jewish Sermon, the four hints in this last sentence should be distinctly considered, and largely amplified, by appropriate citations from Holy Writ.
e Exod. xiv. 27, 28. and xvii. 14. f Ps. lxxvii. 15,16, 24, 25.
g Isai. lix. 1. '» Rom. viii. 28. ' 2 Cor. x. 4, 5.