2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.… The expression imports an effectual guard. We know what the garrison of a city is; to keep watch by night and by day, summer and winter, in the brightest sunshine and the thickest midnight, foul weather and fair, from the beginning of the year to the end. The protection of the city is its guard. We know the comfort, peace and well-being of the inhabitants of that city stand most intimately connected with their indoor arrangements; but if you ask what is the security of the city, it is not their domestic arrangements — it is the guard of the city. Thus is it with the people of God. How much there stands connected with the watchfulness of God's saints, as to their peace and well-being and holy walking, no language of mine can ever describe. "Keep thy heart with all diligence," says the wise man. "What I say unto you I say unto all," says our blessed Lord; "watch." And by His apostle — "Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication." But if you ask who is the Guardian of the city, he gives but a blind answer who will say anything short of a covenant God. Let me just refer you to the hundred and twenty-seventh Psalm. "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." I would pray that yours might be that state of watchfulness, that the outgoings of thought might be watched over, the first elements of evil and the first mark of spiritual declension: but I would have you live upon this as a cardinal truth never to be lost sight of — that the Guard of the city is Jehovah Himself — Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — the covenant God of Israel. The expression is most blessedly extensive: "The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you and keep you from evil." Is it evil men? He "will keep you." Is it Satan, the evil one? Is it sin, the evil thing? He "will keep you;" for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. From its reigning power He "will keep you" and that, by the power of His love "shed abroad in your heart through the Holy Ghost." And He "will keep you" from its in being, in that happy world, where you shall have to sing the praises of this triune God throughout an endless eternity. (J. H. Evans.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.WEB: But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one. |
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