Psalm 89:19 Then you spoke in vision to your holy one, and said, I have laid help on one that is mighty… I. WE NEED HELP. Christianity does three things for us, which Deism does not. 1. It tells us that this was not our original state; that God made man upright, but he sought out many inventions. 2. It checks much of the evil now: by its direct influence in many cases, and by its indirect influence in many more; in humanizing war, in abolishing slavery, in taming the human passions; it has been the harbinger of peace, and has done more for man than all human institutions in the aggregate beside. 3. It tells us of a remedy for all this, and this is placed within our reach, if we would avail ourselves of it; and therefore if we perish in this state, the blame will be our own. — II. GOD HAS PROVIDED HELP FOR US. 1. This help includes redemption. "With the Lord there is plenteous redemption." "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Thus the burden too heavy to be borne is rolled off the conscience, and we now "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have received the Atonement." 2. It includes justification. We must have a title to heaven before we can obtain it; and from whence is this to be derived but from the righteousness of Christ by faith, "which is unto all and upon all them that believe"? 3. It takes in renovation. Man is not only guilty but depraved. Therefore he cannot be happy while in his natural state and under the dominion and love of sin. 4. It takes in strength. His duties are arduous; they are numerous and various; and he is inadequate to any one; but says the Saviour, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." "As thy day so shall thy strength be." Here is the blessed spirit of promise also enjoyed, and now the man lives in the Spirit, and walks in the Spirit, and prays in the Holy Ghost, and the Spirit helpeth his infirmities. 5. It takes in persevering grace, for "he only that endureth to the end shall be saved." III. GOD LAYS THIS HELP UPON ANOTHER. We may observe two principles upon which this dispensation is founded, and by which it is justified. 1. It is an honour to Christ, it being a part of the reward for His doings and sufferings. 2. It is for our encouragement and comfort. The grandeur of the Supreme Being so terrified the Jews that they desired Moses to be their mediator, and said, "Speak thou with us; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." So we are encouraged to go to God through Christ, and "we have boldness and access with confidence through the faith of Him." IV. HE ON WHOM HELP IS LAID IS EQUAL TO THE ENGAGEMENT. He is not only human, but Divine — "able to save to the uttermost." He can by His influences, so mighty is He, penetrate and enlighten the darkest understanding; He can subdue the most rebellious will; He can take away the stony heart and give you a heart of flesh. Conclusion: — 1. See the importance of knowing your spiritual state. Without this knowledge it would be impossible for you ever to see the beauty of the Gospel, ever to appreciate the evil of sin, or the excellence of purity, or to relish the privileges of the righteous. 2. See the folly of every other dependence but upon that rock which God has laid in Zion. Christ is the only ark in which you can be preserved; if you enter into this, you may be safe. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. |
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