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STABILITY THE GIFT OF GOD
THE blessings of Providence, when uninterruptedly continued, are scarcely noticed: it is only when the loss of them has been painfully apprehended, or actually sustained, that we consider how much we were indebted to God for them. What were the particular trials that had been endured by David or the Jewish nation, we cannot precisely determine: but it is evident, that the deliverance vouchsafed to them had made a lively impression on the Psalmist’s mind [Note: Compare ver. 1, 2. with ver. 10–12.]. The words of our text would furnish exceedingly profitable meditations, if we confined them to their primary import; since the preservation of our life and health, amidst the many seen and unseen dangers with which we are surrounded, demands our most grateful acknowledgments. But a subsequent part of the psalm shews clearly that the writer had respect also to spiritual blessings [Note: ver. 16.]; and therefore we shall draw your attention more especially to them; and shew,
I. What a mercy it is to be upheld in the ways of God—
We feel somewhat of the obligation conferred upon us in our first awakening and conversion; but are by no means duly sensible how much we owe to our God for our daily preservation. But we shall learn better to appreciate this mercy if we consider,
1. To how many snares and dangers we are exposed!
[We have frequent occasion to advert to the temptations with which we are encompassed in the world; and to notice the still greater dangers we experience from the corruptions of our own hearts; and the additional conflicts which we have to sustain with all the powers of darkness. We dwell not therefore so particularly on those things at this time: but rather mention the danger to which we are exposed, even from lawful things. It is not only allowable, but highly proper, to prosecute our worldly callings with diligence; and to cultivate the tenderest regard for our wife or children: yet both the one and the other may engross too much of our hearts, and become hindrances to us in our journey towards heaven. Our food, our sleep, our studies, our recreations, may become snares, if we be not continually on our guard. It is therefore an unspeakable mercy to be upheld in the midst of such manifold temptations.]
2. How many, in like circumstances with ourselves, have fallen—
[We are living in the full enjoyment of divine ordinances, and of whatever can conduce to the welfare of our souls. But are we therefore secure? Look back to the apostolic age: see how many then were seduced by error [Note: Tit_1:11. 2Ti_2:18.]—or disheartened by the fear of man [Note: 2Ti_1:15; 2Ti_4:16. Mat_26:73-74.]—or turned aside by the love of the world [Note: Mat_13:22. 2Ti_4:10.]—or overthrown by unbridled passions [Note: 1Ti_5:11-12. 2Sa_11:4.]. What reason then have we to adore the grace that has preserved us!]
3. What would be the probable consequence of our falling—
[Some who have fallen have been restored speedily [Note: Joh_21:15-17.]; and some after a lapse of time [Note: 2Sa_12:13.]: but thousands have fallen to rise no more. The progress of declension is for the most part rapid. The heart becomes averse to holy duties: from secret neglects proceeds a backwardness to social conference and public ordinances. The conscience is gradually weakened, till it ceases to perform its office, or speaks in so faint a voice, that it is scarcely heard. The besetting sin then gains an entire ascendant, an: leads him captive; till at last, God, filled with indignation against the base apostate, “gives him up to a reprobate mind [Note: Psa_81:11-12.],” and either cuts him off by a sudden stroke [Note: Pro_29:1. Act_5:5; Act_5:10.], or leaves him to protract a miserable existence, merely that he may bear testimony against his own impieties, and proclaim to those around him the foretastes which he already feels of his eternal destiny [Note: Ecc_5:17. with Pro_14:32.].
Such examples we have seen [Note: This was preached on occasion of a person that had made a profession of religion, going back to drunkenness, and dying in a drunken fit. See other examples, 1Co_10:6-11.]; what a mercy it is that we ourselves, instead of being warned by others, are not made a warning to others!]
4. What occasion we have given to God to let us fall—
[Let us call to mind our own backslidings: our secret neglects; our tamperings with temptations; our indulgence of evil passions; our vain-confident presumption: is it not wonderful that God has not long since said respecting us, “Let him alone [Note: Hos_4:17.]:” “My Spirit shall strive with him no longer [Note: Gen_6:3.]:” “He likes not to retain God in his knowledge; so I will give him up [Note: Rom_1:28.]?”]
If we be convinced of these things, let us proceed to consider,
II. The duty of those who experience this mercy—
There can be no doubt on this subject. If our souls have been upheld in life, we should,
1. Acknowledge God in our steadfastness—
[“Who is it that has made us to differ” from others [Note: 1Co_4:7.]? Have we by nature any more strength than they? or have we of ourselves a more abundant measure of goodness? No: it is “by the grace of God we are what we are [Note: 1Co_15:10.]:” we have been as much indebted to his protecting hand, as a new-born infant is to its mother’s care. We should then acknowledge, that “of him our fruit is found [Note: Hos_14:8. Isa_26:12.];” that “it is he who hath wrought us to the self-same thing [Note: 2Co_5:5.];” and that to him belongs all the glory of our stability [Note: Psa_62:8; Psa_26:12.].]
2. Bless and adore him for his great goodness—
[It is not by cold acknowledgments merely that we are to requite the Lord, but by fervent and devout thanksgivings. It is not possible for language adequately to express the obligations we owe to him: and therefore we should call upon “all that is within us to bless his holy name.”
Nor should we be content with doing this ourselves: we should invite the whole creation, as it were, to join us. We should labour to stimulate all to love and serve him; and to make his name known to the very ends of the earth [Note: Isa_12:4-6. or 42:10–12. See also the text.].
It is in this way that we should endeavour at least, as much as in us lies, to “render unto the Lord according to the benefits” he has conferred upon us.]
3. Walk humbly and carefully before him—
[We must not presume upon the kindness of our God, or imagine, that, because we have been upheld hitherto, we are in no danger of falling: if we had attained the stability of St. Paul himself, “we must keep our body under, and bring it into subjection, lest we become cast-aways ourselves [Note: 1Co_9:27.].” To neglect this, were to tempt God. God has warned us plainly, that “he will be with us no longer than we continue with him; but that if we forsake him, he will forsake us [Note: 2Ch_13:2.].” We therefore must not be high-minded, but fear [Note: 1Co_10:12.]; and take heed lest we fall [Note: Rom_11:20.]; and “watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation [Note: Mat_26:41.].” If we would have our God to keep us, we must be careful to “keep ourselves [Note: ver. 18. with Jude, ver. 20, 21.].” We must look at the fearful examples that are before our eyes [Note: Luk_17:32. Heb_4:11.], and tremble lest we ourselves become similar monuments of instability, and of God’s deserved wrath.]
4. Commit ourselves continually to him—
[God has engaged to “keep the feet of his saints [Note: 1Sa_2:9.];” and directed us to commit ourselves to him for that purpose [Note: 1Pe_4:19.]; and assured us, that, if we do so, “he will establish our goings [Note: 2Ch_20:20.].” We should commend ourselves therefore to his gracious care and protection. We should say with David, “Hold thou up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not [Note: Psa_17:5.]:” “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe [Note: Psa_119:117.].” To this we are encouraged by our past experience of his mercy: we may from the kindness already shewn us, safely infer the continuance of it to our souls [Note: Psa_56:13.]. If we can say, “He hath delivered,” we may properly add, “In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us [Note: 2Co_1:10.].”]
But here arise two important questions, which it is of the utmost importance to resolve—
1. Are our souls really alive to God?
[In vain shall we speak of having “our souls upheld in life,” if they have never yet been quickened from the dead. Let us then seriously, and as in the presence of God, inquire, Whether we have been made partakers of a new and living principle, whereby we have been enabled to die unto sin, and to live unto God? Let us not mistake a mere approbation of religion for real regeneration: we must have become new creatures, having new views, new desires, new pursuits, and new prospects, if we have been truly born again [Note: 2Co_5:17.]: and if this change have not been wrought within us, we are yet in our natural and unconverted state; we may have “a name to live, but are really dead” before God: notwithstanding we may have been preserved from any flagrant violation of our duty, we are yet “dead in trespasses and sins.”]
2. Supposing that we are on the whole alive to God, have “our feet really been kept from falling?”
[We must ascertain this fact, before we can cordially thank God for it. And is it indeed true of all who profess religion amongst us, that they have been kept? Have none of us acted unworthy of our high calling? Has there been nothing in our tempers, nothing in our worldly transactions, inconsistent with our profession? Or, supposing our outward conduct to have been unimpeachable, have there been no secret sins, which we have reason to mourn over; nothing for which we ought to blush and be confounded before God? Perhaps, if we look inward, we shall find more occasion to bewail our falls, than to bless our God for having kept us from falling.
But, if conscience testify that we have indeed walked uprightly before God, then let us imitate the example in the text, and not only bless and magnify him ourselves, but endeavour also to “make the voice of his praise to be heard” throughout the world.]