Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known… The sky is not more beautifully bespangled with stars than the Bible is filled with promises. How completely these promises have been fulfilled in all those who have reached Immanuel's land! But, Christians, "you are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you;" but thus far He has been your helper. What He has done for you is only a pledge of what He will do. Let us survey Him — I. AS OUR LEADER. II. AS OUR INTERPRETER. "I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight." This is clearly distinguished from the former. You may "lead the blind by a way that they know not, and in paths that they have not known," while you may not explain to them, but only tell them to depend on you as a guide, while they are unconscious of anything except progress. But it is not so with God. God illumines all whom He guides. The knowledge He gives to His people is gradual; and we may observe four instances in which He makes "darkness light before them, and crooked things straight." 1. As to doctrine. 2. As to experience. In regard to prayer they are sometimes perplexed. It is the same also with regard to joy. Milne, the ecclesiastical historian, said, "Had I been as destitute of comfort some years ago as I am now, I should have been exceedingly confounded; but I have learned not to live on lively frames, but on God's own word. I know that He is faithful who hath promised." So, also, in regard to assurance. 3. With regard to practical duties. 4. With regard to some of HIS providential duties. God's way is sometimes in the sea, and His footsteps are not known. But sometimes the darkness is dispelled even now. III. As His PEOPLE'S UNCHANGEABLE FRIEND. "These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." They deserve to be forsaken, and this they will acknowledge readily enough. They may think them. selves forsaken, and we have instances of this upon record. But they may be forsaken., God Himself speaks of this in His Word. But observe the time: "For a small moment have I forsaken thee." So it is in the apprehension of faith; so it is always very short when compared with eternity. Then Observe the manner, of His. forsaking, them, for however we may explain this, it must be consistent with His assurance of not forsaking: "These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." There are three ways in which God may forsake His people, and yet the promise of the text may remain substantially the same — 1. In their outward condition. He can reduce them in their circumstances, bereave them of their dearest relations, remove their possession and enjoyments, and leave them bare and destitute. But all this is very compatible with His presence. 2. As to the enjoyment of spiritual comfort. "Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled." But when these spiritual consolations are suspended, there are great searchings of heart, much that shows the Spirit of God to be with them; for this could not come from nature. 3. As to the exercise of grace, not the existence thereof. Here we may refer to good Hezekiah. God, in the midst of trouble and a fearful invasion, left him for a while to see what was in his heart. Peter for a season also was left to himself. Jesus said, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not"; but it did fail. It did as to its exercise, not as to its principle. (W. Jay, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. |
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