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The text —

I. SUGGESTS THREE TRAINS OF THOUGHT.

1. Memory tells of deliverance in the past. From —

(1)  Violent death.

(2)  Our death in sin: "So great a death," indeed.

(3)  Fierce despair when under conviction.

(4)  Total overthrow when tempted by Satan.

(5)  Faintness under daily tribulation.

(6)  Destruction by slander and the like. The Lord has graciously delivered us hitherto. Let us express our gratitude.

2. Observation calls attention to present deliverance. By the good hand of the Lord we are at this time preserved from —

(1)  Unseen dangers to life.

(2)  The subtle assaults of Satan.

(3)  The rampant errors of the times.

(4)  Inbred sin and natural corruption.

(5)  The sentence of death within, and the greater danger of self-trust (ver. 9).Our present standing is wholly due to the grace of God, and, trusting in that grace, we may indulge a happy confidence.

3. Expectation looks out of the window upon the future.

(1) Faith rests alone in God, "in whom we trust," and through Him she looks for future deliverance.

(a)  From all future common trials.

(b)  From coming losses and afflictions, and from sicknesses, which may be coming upon us.

(c)  From the infirmities and wants of age.

(d)  From the peculiar glooms of death.

(2) This expectation makes us march on with cheerfulness.

II. SUPPLIES THREE LINES OF ARGUMENT. That the Lord will preserve us to the end is most sure. We can say of Him, "In whom we trust that He will yet deliver us."

1. From the Lord's beginning to deliver we argue that He will yet deriver, for —

(1) There was no reason in us for His beginning to love us. If His love arises out of His own nature it will continue.

(2) He has obtained no fresh knowledge. He foreknew all our misbehaviours: hence there is no reason for casting us off.

(3) The reason which moved Him at first is operating now, and none better can be required.

2. From the Lord's continuing to deliver we argue that He will yet deliver; for —

(1)  His deliverances have been so many.

(2)  They have displayed such wisdom and power.

(3)  They have come to us when we have been so unworthy.

(4)  They have continued in such an unbroken line. That we feel sure He will never leave nor forsake us.

3. From the Lord Himself — "In whom we trust": we argue that He will yet deliver; for —

(1)  He is as loving and strong now as aforetime.

(2)  He will be the same in the future.

(3)  His purpose never changes, and it is to His glory to complete what He has begun.

III. IS OPEN TO THREE INFERENCES.

1. That we shall always be so in danger as to need to be delivered; wherefore we are not high-minded, but fear.

2. Our constant need of God's own interposition. He alone has met our case in the past, and He only can meet it in the future; wherefore we would ever abide near our Lord.

3. That our whole life should be filled with the praise of God, who, for past, present, and future, is our Deliverer.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

WEB: But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.