Psalm 35:8 Let destruction come on him at unawares; and let his net that he has hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. I. THE EARNEST ENTREATY OF A TROUBLED SOUL. It was said of the great Sir Isaac Newton that he had a white soul, so pure was it. But this can be said of very few. They do not feel their need of salvation. When you become awakened it is a crisis of your life. You begin to ask concerning things whether they be right or wrong. Your conscience is tender and sensitive. And you must hear for yourself. "Say unto my soul" — so reads the text. But whose soul? Why, the soul of every man who desires salvation. II. THE BOON DESIRED. It is salvation. Our Lord Jesus is willing to save all men. More willing than the men in the lifeboat to save the people from the wreck. Sometimes the lifeboat dare not venture out to sea; but there is never a time when the Lord Jesus will refuse to save shipwrecked souls. I was much touched to hear a lifeboat man say, that at a certain wreck off the Orme's Head, near Llandudno, when the lifeboat put off to save the passengers and sailors of the vessel in distress, it was impossible to take all of them into the boat, and many were left. The men would have gladly saved all, but their boat was not large enough. Now, our Lord can save all mankind. And He will save us from our faults as well as from our sins. And you need this, for faults will grow up into sins if not rooted out. III. THE CERTAINTY OF GOD DOING THIS. He says "I am thy salvation." What God says, can and will be done. It is not "I may," or "I could" do this; but I am thy salvation." If God can make a world so beautiful as this, can He not purify our souls? If He can tint the flower and make it lovely, cannot He redeem us from all iniquity? IV. THERE IS A PERSONAL ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. "Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation." Hannah More once said that if we preach about a privilege and do not mention the person who should have the privilege, it is like putting a letter into the post-office without any direction upon it. If you want this salvation, it is ready; but for whom is it intended? For every creature, and it is particularly addressed to you. Jesus did not say, "Go into all the world and save nations," but "Go into all the world and preach the good news to every creature." So, this salvation is meant for you. Then, when you are saved, your example shall bless the world. But until you are saved, your example is worth very little. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. |
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