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GOD’S INTEREST IN HIS PEOPLE
THAT Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth, should regard one rather than another amongst the sinners of mankind, appears incredible; and for any one to imagine himself to be amongst those who are pre-eminently favoured by him, would be judged a height of arrogance, to which scarcely any one of a sound mind could be supposed to have attained. But the Holy Scriptures are extremely clear, and full, and definite upon this point. God does condescend to notice with peculiar kindness those who walk uprightly before him: whilst he beholds with indignation and abhorrence those who, whether openly or in secret, rebel against him. To establish this is the great scope of this psalm, wherein the states of the godly and of the ungodly are contrasted with each other in this respect. From the words which I have just read, we shall necessarily be led to notice,
I. The interest which God takes in his people—
“He orders their steps”—
[In the marginal translation it is said that a good man’s steps are “established” by the Lord. The fact is, the Lord so orders them, that they may be established. The very first work of the Lord in his people, is, to bring them to Christ, and to “establish them in Christ [Note: Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65 and 2Co_1:21.].” Till this is done, they never take any step that can effectually bring them to heaven — — — When that is done, then they are enabled to “walk in Christ [Note: Col_2:6.],” and, by strength derived from him, to advance in righteousness and true holiness — — —]
“He delights in their ways”—
[True, their ways are far from perfect: and, if God were to be “extreme to mark what is done amiss,” no man living could stand before him. But God looks rather at the principle from whence their actions proceed, and at the end for which they are done, than at the perfection of the actions themselves; and when he sees that their actions proceed from love, and are done for the glory of his name, he cannot but feel delight, both in the persons themselves, and in the works they perform; even as a parent delights in the services of a loving and duteous child, not considering so much the excellence of the act as the disposition manifested in the performance of it. On another ground, too, Jehovah delights in the ways of his people, namely, because they are “the fruits of his Spirit” working in them [Note: Gal_5:22-23.]. In this view there is not an act this they perform, which is “not pleasing and acceptable in his sight [Note: Heb_13:16. 1Pe_3:4. Php_1:11.]” — — —]
“He upholds them with his hand”—
[Notwithstanding the grace given unto them, they are yet weak and frail, so that “still in many things they offend [Note: Jam_3:2.];” and, if left to themselves, they would eternally perish. “There is not a just man on earth that liveth and sinneth not [Note: Ecc_7:20.].” But in this the righteous differ from the wicked, that, notwithstanding they fall, yea, and “fall seven times, they rise again; whilst the wicked, in their falls, are left to perish [Note: Pro_24:16.].” The Lord Jesus Christ has engaged for them that “none shall ever pluck them out of his hands [Note: Joh_10:28-29.].” And this is fulfilled to every one of them, insomuch, that “of those whom the Father in his everlasting covenant gave unto his Son, not one ever was, or shall be, lost [Note: Joh_17:12.].” They all, in their respective generations, are “kept by the power of God through faith unto everlasting salvation [Note: 1Pe_1:5.]” — — —]
These truths can never be abused, if we consider, on the other hand,
II. What return he looks for at their hands—
Doubtless it is God who alone can give men “either to will or to do that which is good [Note: Php_2:13.]:” but, as the Articles of our Church express it, “He worketh in us, that we may will; and then worketh with us, when we have that good will.” Though all good proceeds from him, yet he expects a reciprocity on our part.
1. We must cheerfully obey his will—
[We take no step by constraint. We are free agents in all that we do. True it is that God draws us; but he draws us, not as stocks and stones, but “with the cords of a man, and with the bands of love [Note: Hos_11:4.].” If we would have our ways pleasing to God, we must seek to please him; and if we would have our “steps ordered and established by him,” we must consult his revealed will, and commit ourselves to the guidance of his Holy Spirit. He has promised, that, in circumstances of difficulty, “we shall hear a word behind us, saying, This is the way; walk ye in it: when we should otherwise be turning to the right hand or to the left [Note: Isa_30:21.]:” and this promise we must plead in prayer, until, by some way which God shall devise, we see, as it were, the pillar and the cloud going before us, and experience that direction which our necessities require — — —]
2. We must simply depend on his care—
[”It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” A little infant does not more need to be carried in its mother’s arms than we need the continual support of God. But he promises that “his everlasting arms shall be underneath us [Note: Deu_33:27.],” and that we shall be “carried as lambs in the bosom of our Lord [Note: Isa_40:11.].” But in order to this, we must renounce all confidence in our own powers, and say, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength [Note: Isa_45:24.].” If, like Peter, we depend on ourselves, we shall fall: but, if we cry habitually to him, “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe [Note: Psa_119:117.],” we shall be strengthened with might by his Spirit in our inward man, and be enabled to “do all things through Christ strengthening us [Note: Php_4:13.].” The weaker we are in ourselves, the stronger we shall be in him [Note: 2Co_12:10.]; and, though we be “sifted by Satan” with his utmost efforts [Note: Luk_22:31.], “not so much as the smallest grain shall ever fall upon the earth [Note: Amo_9:9.].” For “it is not the will of our Father that one of his little ones should perish [Note: Mat_18:14.].”]
Address,
1. The self-confident and secure—
[Where do you find in the Holy Scriptures any one of these promises made to you? Where has God engaged to “order your steps,” or declared himself “delighted with your ways?” Or where has he assured you that your falls shall not be unto death? Not one word is there in all the inspired volume that can serve as a foundation of hope to you, whilst you are leaning to your own understanding, or depending on an arm of flesh. On the contrary, there is nothing but perdition denounced against you [Note: Jer_17:5-6.]. Beloved Brethren, do but contrast with your condition the states of God’s believing and obedient people; and you will see, that they alone are blessed, whose hearts are upright, and “whose God is the Lord.”]
2. The fearful and disconsolate—
[Many, under a sense of their great infirmities, are ready to fear, that, notwithstanding all that God has spoken for their encouragement, they shall come short at last. But, if only you really desire to please and serve God, see how full and suitable are the promises of God to you: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness [Note: Isa_41:10.].” Are you weak? God says, “I will strengthen you.” Are you apprehensive that nothing less than Omnipotence can administer sufficient aid? God adds, “I will help you.” Are you still alarmed because there is something yet left for you to do? God adds, I will take the whole matter into my own hands, and “altogether uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” “Be strong, then, in faith, giving glory to God;” and “you shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end.”]