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TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Pathway of Promise (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 06 Jehovah
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JEHOVAH
Gen. 22:14--"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh." (The Lord will provide)
The most severe trial of Abraham's faith had just ended--his well-beloved Isaac was saved from the sacrificial altar, and another offering was presented in his stead. Well, then, might the patriarch raise a stone of remembrance, with the inscription engraved on his own heart, "The Lord will provide."
Exod. 17:15--"And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi." (The Lord is my Banner)
Moses, the leader of Israel, with the rod of God in his hand, was seated on the top of a hill, in the valley of Rephidim. Beside him stood Aaron and Hur, supporting his arms in the attitude of prayer. Beneath, the hosts of Israel and Amalek were engaged in stern and bloody conflict. Victory, hitherto, had leaned to neither side for any length of time. When the hands of Moses were raised, then Israel prevailed; and, when they were let down, Amalek prevailed. But now it was no longer uncertain. The three united suppliants implored Divine help--"and Joshua destroyed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." No wonder a feeling of security was experienced by Moses, and that future danger was no longer dreaded--no wonder that the motto of his remembrance-stone was this, "The Lord my Banner."
Judges 6:24--"Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom." (The Lord is my Peace)
A dark cloud had gathered upon Israel--they had forgotten the wonders of the Lord, and His mighty doings in their behalf. The hosts of Midian prevailed against them, and the last ray of hope seemed to have vanished. Their cry for help and deliverance, sent up in the hour of extremity, was answered by the Lord, in reminding them of their transgressions, and of His patience and forbearance. No promise of immediate help was given. But now, as ever, "man's extremity became God's opportunity"--an angel appeared unto Gideon, "as he threshed wheat in the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites," and revealed the purpose of the Lord, to make him the deliverer of Israel. Poor, and without influence, Gideon feared to occupy this high and responsible position, but he was cheered by the promise, "I will be with you." A sign was granted, to assure him that he was the appointed messenger of God. Upon the offering which he presented to the angel, fire descended from heaven, "and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread." Need we wonder that, when entering on the great undertaking, his heart, oppressed and downcast, at the thought of Israel's woes, and of the horrors of war, which wrung from them the cry of bitterest anguish, the altar-stone should be inscribed by Gideon, "Jehovah-shalom"--"The Lord send peace!"
Ezek. 48:35--"And the name of the city from that day shall be Jehovah-shammah." (The Lord is there)
The prophet Ezekiel, when declaring the division of the land among the twelve tribes, and the extent of the glorious city, gave this as its great and glorious distinction, "Jehovah-shammah"--"The Lord is there."
Jer. 23:6--"And this is his name whereby he shall be called, Jehovah-tsidkenu." (The Lord our Righteousness)
The prophet Jeremiah, when foretelling the advent of Messiah, the righteous Branch, who was to make satisfaction for the sins of His people, and by His obedience, and sufferings, and death, reconcile them to an offended God, speaks of Him by a name dear to every believer, "Jehovah-tsidkenu"--"The Lord our righteousness."
Christian! have you no stones of remembrance? Along the pathway of your life are there no memorials of Jehovah's love? Ah, yes! You, too, can tell of seasons of danger and distress--when prayer prevailed on high--when, from the depths of your troubled soul, the cry ascended heavenward, "Lord send help out of Zion," and deliverance was given. The enemy came in upon you like a flood; but even then, when the contest was fiercest, and the battle raged hottest, "the Spirit of the Lord" lifted up His standard, and the victory was yours. Surely, in such an hour, this was the language, of your soul, "Jehovah-nissi"--"The Lord my banner."
Or, look backward again. Remember that time, when some heavy trial was impending over you, some sore bereavement was dreaded, at the prospect of which, your very heart failed you, and the sunshine of your life was wrapped in deepest gloom. But your God in mercy spared the blow--the trial came not--the bereavement was stayed, and again the voice of rejoicing was heard in your home. And, if an anxious thought still lingered in your heart, and the shadow of the cloud still darkened at times your pathway, oh! was not this, to you, a cheering and consolatory thought, that come what may, He who listened to your prayer for deliverance, would also listen to your prayer for grace, and that the covenant between you and your God, permitted you to utter these blessed words "Jehovah-jireh"--"The Lord will provide?"
Yes, believer! and times there may have been in your past history, when the burden of sin was peculiarly oppressive, when your soul was bereft of comfort and peace, and as, with trembling step and aching heart, you pursued your weary journey, the language of your burdened spirit was that of David, "My soul is cast down within me." For you, there was no comfort in the Word, no joy in the means of grace, no happiness in prayer. Like a benighted traveler, you were groping in darkness, and, all the while, the whispered inquiry and taunt of the great adversary was, "Where is now your God?"
But your trial hour came to a close. The Comforter's voice again was heard; the light of your Father's countenance shone upon you; and, once more glad and joyous, the prayer of Gideon became yours, "Jehovah-shalom"--"The Lord send peace."
Reader! you have entered the sanctuary; you have taken your place at the communion table. Has the language of your soul been this--"Jehovah-shammah"--"The Lord is there?" Trusting no longer in yourself, but coming to the mercy-seat, poor, hungry, and penitent, was this your prayer?--"O God, have mercy upon me a miserable sinner. Pardon and accept me, for the sake of Him whom You have revealed as 'Jehovah-tsidkenu,'--'The Lord our righteousness.'"
"Why should I fear the darkest hour,
Or tremble at the tempest's power?
Jesus vouchsafes to be my Tower!
"Though hot the fight, why quit the field?
Why must I either flee or yield,
Since Jesus is my mighty Shield?
"When creature comforts fade and die,
Worldlings may weep, but why should I?
Jesus still lives, and still is nigh!
"I know not what may soon betide,
Nor how my needs may be supplied;
But Jesus knows and 'will provide.'
"Though sin would fill me with distress,
The throne of grace I dare address,
For Jesus is my Righteousness.
"Though faint my prayers and cold my love,
My steadfast hope shall not remove,
While Jesus intercedes above.
"Against me earth and hell combine,
But on my side is power Divine--
Jesus is all and He is mine."