“WHY FEAR WORLDLY PLAGUES?”

“WHY FEAR WORLDLY PLAGUES?

Thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the [Most High], thy habitation 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come near to thy dwelling 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty he shelters them and comes between them and everything that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine. They shall not only have an admittance but a residence, under God’s protection he will be their rest and refuge forever. 

Those that will deal with God must deal with trust if we are shy of dealing with Him, it is a sign we do not trust him. Thou art my rock and my fortress (Psalms 71:3) and again, “” (Psalms 71:7) that is, “I fly to thee, and am sure to be safe in thee, and under thy protection.

If thou secure me, none can hurt me. Thou art my hope and my trust” (Psalms 71:5) that is, “thou hast proposed thyself to me in thy word as the proper object of my hope and trust I have hoped in thee, and never found it in vain to do so.

Like David, we need to determine when our trust in the Lord started and has over our journey deepened.

Providence took of us in our birth and infancy should engage us to early piety and constant devotedness to his honour. He that was our help from our birth ought to be our hope from our youth.

David received much mercy from God before he was capable of doing him any service, we should lose no time when we are capable. The favour and protection of God are the only sure rest and comfort of the soul in this evil world.

Yeshua (Christ Jesus), is the refuge and dwelling-place to which we may repair. We are dying creatures, all our comforts in the world are dying comforts, but God is an ever-living God, and believers find him so. When God, by sickness, or other afflictions, turns men to destruction, he thereby calls men to return unto him to repent of their sins and live a new life.

OPENING COMMENT by Robert 

A thousand years are nothing to God’s eternity: between a minute and a million years there is some proportion; between time and eternity there is none. All the events of a thousand years, whether past or to come, are more present to the Eternal Mind, than what was done in the last hour is to us.

And in the resurrection, the body and soul shall both return and be united again. Time passes unobserved by us, as with men asleep; and when it is past, it is as nothing. It is a short and quickly passing life, as the waters of a flood. Man, flourishes as the grass, which, when the winter of old age comes, will wither; but he may be mown down by disease or disaster. 

The afflictions of the saints often come from God’s love; but the rebukes of sinners, and of believers for their sins, must be seen coming from the displeasure of God. Secret sins are known to God and shall be reckoned for. 

See the folly of those who go about to cover their sins, for they cannot do so. Our years, when gone, can no more be recalled than the words that we have spoken. 

Our whole life is toilsome and troublesome; and perhaps, in the midst of the years we count upon, it is cut off. We are taught by all this to stand in awe. The angels that sinned know the power of God’s anger; sinners in hell know it. 

But which of us can fully describe it? Few seriously consider it as they ought. Those who make a mock at sin, and make light of Christ, surely do not know the power of God’s anger. Who among us can dwell with that devouring fire?

If we hope to spend eternity in praising God, it is fit that we should spend much of our time here in His work. He never said to any one, Seek ye me in vain. 

David’s prayers helped to silence his fears; many besides him have looked unto the Lord by faith and prayer, and it has wonderfully revived and comforted them. When we look to the world, we are perplexed, and at a loss. But on looking to Christ depends our whole salvation, and all things needful thereunto do so also. 

This poor man, whom no man looked upon with any respect, or looked after with any concern, was yet welcome to the throne of grace; the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The holy angels minister to the saints and stand for them against the powers of darkness. 

All the glory be to the Lord of the angels. By taste and sight, we both make discoveries, and have enjoyment; Taste and see God’s goodness; take notice of it and take the comfort of it. He makes all truly blessed that trust in him. 

As to the things of the other world, they shall have grace sufficient for the support of spiritual life. And as to this life, they shall have what is necessary from the hand of God. Paul had all, and abounded, because he was content, Philemon 4:11-18. Those who trust to themselves, and think their own efforts sufficient for them, shall want; but they shall be fed who trust in the Lord. Those shall not want, who with quietness work, and mind their own business. 

Concerning Christ’s temptation, observe, that directly after he was declared to be the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, he was tempted; great privileges, and special tokens of Divine favour, will not secure any from being tempted. 

But if the Holy Spirit witness to our being adopted as children of God, that will answer all the suggestions of the evil spirit. Christ was directed to the combat. If we presume upon our own strength, and tempt the devil to tempt us, we provoke God to leave us to ourselves. 

Others are tempted, when drawn aside of their own lust, and enticed, James 1:14; but our Lord Jesus had no corrupt nature, therefore he was tempted only by the devil. 

In the temptation of Christ, it appears that our enemy is subtle, spiteful, and very daring; but he can be resisted. It is a comfort to us that Christ suffered, being tempted; for thus it appears that our temptations, if not yielded to, are not sins, they are afflictions only. 

Satan aimed in all his temptations, to bring Christ to sin against God. He tempted him to despair of his Father’s goodness, and to distrust his Father’s care concerning him. It is one of the wiles of Satan to take advantage of our outward condition; and those who are brought into straits have need to double their guard.

 

Christ’s being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise.

The word of God is our sword, and faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan’s promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction.

We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only.

Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father’s protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults.

Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Genesis 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.

 

CLOSING STATEMENT by Robert

Let us not then set our hearts upon that which is not what we take it to be and will not be what it now is. Sin has made a great change in the world for the worse, and Christ will make a great change in it for the better. 

Let the thoughts of this make us watchful, diligent, and desirous of that better world. The Saviour has done much to make all men his friends, yet he has enemies. 

But they shall be made his footstool, by humble submission, or by utter destruction. Christ shall go on conquering and to conquer. The most exalted angels are but ministering spirits, mere servants of Christ, to execute his commands. The saints, at present, are heirs, not yet come into possession. The angels minister to them in opposing the malice and power of evil spirits, in protecting and keeping their bodies, instructing and comforting their souls, under Christ and the Holy Ghost. 

Angels shall gather all the saints together at the last day, when all whose hearts and hopes are set upon perishing treasures and fading glories, will be driven from Christ’s presence into everlasting misery.

Eliphaz gives to Job a word of caution and exhortation: Despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. Call it a chastening, which comes from the Father’s love, and is for the child’s good; and notice it as a messenger from Heaven. 

Eliphaz also encourages Job to submit to his condition. A good man is happy though he be afflicted, for he has not lost his enjoyment of God, nor his title to heaven; nay, he is happy because he is afflicted. 

Correction mortifies his corruptions, weans his heart from the world, draws him nearer to God, brings him to his Bible, brings him to his knees. Though God wounds, yet he supports his people under afflictions, and in due time delivers them. Making a wound is sometimes part of a cure.

Eliphaz gives Job precious promises of what God would do for him if he humbled himself. Whatever troubles good men may be in, they shall do them no real harm. Being kept from sin, they are kept from the evil of trouble. 

And if the servants of Christ are not delivered from outward troubles, they are delivered by them, and while overcome by one trouble, they conquer all. 

Whatever is maliciously said against them shall not hurt them. They shall have wisdom and grace to manage their concerns. The greatest blessing, both in our employments and in our enjoyments, is to be kept from sin. 

They shall finish their course with joy and honour. That man lives long enough who has done his work and is fit for another world. It is a mercy to die seasonably, as the corn is cut and housed when fully ripe; not till then, but then not suffered to stand any longer. 

Our times are in God’s hands; it is well they are so. Believers are not to expect great wealth, long life, or to be free from trials. But all will be ordered for the best.

We need as previously shown search our walks search our commitment know whose alter, we are bowing our knee before “God,” or unknowingly Baal.

The importance of this article is revealed in the previous excerpt. Note, we must take care that we do not use what belongs to Christ as if it were our own, and much less to his dishonour.

Please remember these are the words of a humble servant doing the bidding of our Father. I would ask if you are being blessed by these articles pass them on to as many others as possible so they may be blessed and share their blessings as well.

Robert