Isaiah 50:10-11 Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light?… The name of God, that is, God's attributes, and Christ's righteousness do sufficiently, and adequately, answer all wants and doubts, all objections and distresses. Whatsoever our want or temptations be, He hath a name to make supply (Exodus 34:5, 6). Art thou in miser and eat distress "The Lord merciful." The "Lord," therefore able to help thee; and "merciful," therefore willing. Yea, but thou wilt say, I am unworthy; I have nothing in me to move Him to it. Well, He is "gracious;" now grace is to show mercy freely. Yea, but I have sinned against Him for many years; if I had come in when I was young, mercy might have been shown me. To this He says, I am "long-suffering." But my sins abound in number, and it is impossible to reckon them up, and they abound in heinousness; I have committed the same sins again and again; I have been false to Him, broke promise with Him again and again. His name also answers this objection, He is "abundant in goodness;" He abounds more in grace than thou in sinning. And though thou hast been false again and again to Him, and broke all covenants, yet He is "abundant in truth; " also better than His Word, for He cannot to our capacities express all that mercy that is in Him for us. But I have committed great sins, aggravated with many and great circumstances. He forgives "iniquity, transgression, and sin;" sins of all sorts. But there is mercy thus in Him but for a few, and I may be none of the number. Yes, there is mercy for "thousands." And He "keeps" it; treasures of it lie by Him, and are kept, if men would come and take them. Object what thou canst, His name will answer thee. Needest thou comfort as well as pardon? He is both "Father of mercies" and "God of all comforts" (2 Corinthians 1:3). Needest thou peace of conscience, being filled with terrors? He is the "God of peace" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). But I have a heart empty of grace and holiness, and full of corruptions. He is the "God of all grace" to heal thee, as well as of peace to pardon thee. Needest thou wisdom and direction? He is the "Father of lights," as the apostle says. Is thy heart inconstant and full of double-mindedness? He is "unchangeable" also. Thus all objections that can be made may be answered out of His name. Therefore it is all-sufficient for faith to rest upon. ( T. Goodwin.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. |
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