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I. TO WHOM IS THIS PROMISE MADE? Some of the promises in God's Word are of universal application (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 8:21, 22; Genesis 22:17, 18). But there are promises which are special, and have regard to separate and distinct classes of persons: e.g., to the wicked (Isaiah 55:7); to the poor (Isaiah 41:17); to the penitent (Psalm 51:17); to the young (Proverbs 8:17); to the aged (Isaiah 46:4). In the text, Asher is the person to whom the promise is made; and if your character is similar to that of Asher, the promise is to you.

1. Asher received Christ, and believed the oracles of God. Do you answer to this description?

2. Asher attended the Divine ordinances. God will strengthen us in His sanctuary. It is in the Lord's house, on the Lord's day, that we receive light, instruction, and vigour.

3. Asher must have been diligent in his proper vocation; else he would not have dipped his foot in oil. We are to be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, actively serving our generation, according to the will of God.

4. Asher desired the lot of the inheritance. He looked for his place in the promised Canaan. So we are to look for our place in the inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. There is eternal life in the promise.

II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS PROMISE? There are ordinary days, which have in them no signal event, no remarkable calamity or disaster, no striking prosperity or success. They roll round in the even tenor of their course. Perhaps the great majority of our days are of this character. But in all the ordinary days, have we not found corresponding resources of help, and strength, and mercy, and supplies according to our need? There are days of prosperity, and seasons when everything goes well with us. Then, too often, our goodness is like the morning cloud and the early dew. But if even then a man is kept humble and conscious of his responsibility; if he wishes to do good, and is concerned to be a blessing; where all this is accomplished, moral and spiritual resources are supplied according to our day. You may think the difficulty to be deeper in adversity; when the tide ebbs; when there are changes, overturnings, bereavements, desolation, etc. To pass through the rivers, and say, I am not overflown; to pass through the furnace, and say, I am not burned; this is by the secret sustaining hand of the Almighty. If we are humble and patient when He seems severe, it is by the grace of God. There may be days of personal temptation, when the adversary cometh in like a flood. The dark and evil day may arrive, when we have to stand in the firmness of opposition. If we triumph, it is by the grace of God. There are days of duty, which seem to be beyond our strength; as when the scholar has to pass through his examination; or when the minister ascends the pulpit and asks, "Who is sufficient for these things?"

III. WHERE IS OUR SECURITY?

1. It is in the power and faithfulness of God. Remember that one of His titles is, "The Strength of Israel"; then it follows, "He will not lie"; here is power and faithfulness in its loftiest form. God is able to keep us from falling; and He has sworn by two immutable things, that we might have strong consolation. No conjuncture shall arise, in which the strength of heaven shall not make us victorious.

2. We are also assured by the word and sympathy of Jesus. "The promises are yea and amen in Christ Jesus"; that is, they are ratified in His blood, and established in His mediation; and He is a High Priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

3. There is our own experience in the past. Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.

IV. IF WE RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF OUR TEXT, WHAT SHOULD BE THE EFFECT UPON OUR LIVES? We answer, Dismiss all anxieties and fears.

(J. Stratten.)

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KJV: Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

WEB: Your bars shall be iron and brass. As your days, so your strength will be.