Bible Commentaries

DISCOURSE: 544

OUR TIMES IN GOD’S HAND

Psalms 31:15. My times are in thy hand.

TO the ungodly it is a satisfaction to deny the providence of God, and to cut him off, as it were, from any connexion with his creatures. But the saints find a rich consolation in the thought that God reigneth. This it is which reconciles them to the evils they endure, and fortifies them against those which they have reason to apprehend. David, in the psalm before us, complains that there were many who “took counsel together against him, and devised to take away his life.” But he comforted himself in the reflection, that, however man might be his enemy, God was “his God;” and that however bitterly his enemies might be enraged against him, “his times were not in their hands, but in God’s;” and, consequently, that they could do nothing against him but by His permission.

From this view of the text we are led to notice,

I. Our dependence on God—

God is the Governor of the universe: he appoints the stars their courses; he makes the raging elements to fulfil his will [Note: Psalms 148:8.]; he imposes a restraint upon the most savage beasts, causing them to suppress [Note: 1 Kings 13:28.] or forget [Note: Daniel 6:22.] their instinctive ferocity, or overruling the exercise of it, for the preservation [Note: Jonah 1:17.] or destruction of men [Note: 2 Kings2:24.], as he sees occasion. The affairs of men he more especially controls. In his hands are,

1. The occurrences of life—

[There is nothing really casual or contingent in the world. It is God that disposes of us from our earliest infancy to the latest hour of our lives. “He determines the bounds of our habitation [Note: Acts 17:26.].” If we are called to the possession of wealth, or deprived of it by any untoward circumstances, it is “the Lord who gives, and the Lord who taketh it away [Note: Job 1:21.].” If we enjoy health, or pine away in sickness, it is “the Lord who both wounds and heals, who kills and makes alive [Note: 1 Samuel 2:6-7.].” “There is neither good nor evil in the city, but the Lord is the doer of it [Note: Amos 3:6.].” Even the falling of a hair of our head, trifling as it is, takes not place but by his appointment [Note: Matthew 10:30.].]

2. The seasons of death—

[To every man “there is an appointed time upon earth [Note: Job 7:1.]:” there are “bounds which he cannot pass [Note: Job 14:5.].” “God holdeth our souls in life [Note: Psalms 66:9.]:” and “when he taketh away our breath, we die, and return to the dust [Note: Psalms 104:29.].” Youth and health are no security against the stroke of death: the most vigorous constitutions are soon broken, when God is pleased to afflict us [Note: Job 21:23-25.]: the skill of physicians, however useful when attended with his blessing, is of no avail [Note: Mark 5:26.]. So numerous are the occasions of death, that no caution can possibly avoid them: “a man may flee from a lion, and a bear meet him; or he may go into a house for safety, and a serpent bite him [Note: Amos 5:19.].” When God “requires our souls,” we must surrender them at his call [Note: Luke 12:20.].” Our days are protracted to an advanced age, if he be pleased to uphold us; if not, our course is finished as soon as ever it is commenced. It is “in God, and in God alone, that we live, and move, and have our being [Note: Acts 17:28.].”]

But though these ideas are certainly comprehended in the text, its more immediate scope is to declare,

II. Our security in God—

We have already observed, that the words of the text were introduced by David as a consolatory reflection, under the cruel treatment which he had received from friends and enemies. We are therefore taught by them to assure ourselves,

1. That none can destroy us before our time—

[We appear to be, yea, we really are, in the midst of many and great dangers. But however we may be encompassed with enemies, they cannot prevail against us till the Lord’s time for our removal is come. David was continually exposed to the rage and jealousy of Saul, who repeatedly cast a javelin at him, and hunted him incessantly with armed hosts “like a partridge upon the mountains.” Yet though he was often in the most imminent danger [Note: 1 Samuel 23:26.], and certainly would have been betrayed by the men of Keilah [Note: 1 Samuel 23:11-12.], yet God watched over him, and kept him in perfect safety. Many sought to apprehend our Lord; but “they could not lay hands on him till his hour was come [Note: John 7:30; John 8:20. Luke 13:33.]:” and even then Pilate “could have had no power against him, unless it had been given him from above [Note: John 19:11.].” Paul was in perils innumerable, “and in deaths oft [Note: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.]:” once he was stoned, and even left for dead [Note: Acts 14:19-20.]; but none could take away his life, till he had finished the course marked out for him. Thus we also are immortal, till our work is done. We are surrounded with “chariots of fire, and horses of fire [Note: 2 Kings6:17.]:” yea, “God himself is a wall of fire round about us [Note: Zechariah 2:5.].” And sooner shall successive bands of enemies be struck dead upon the spot by fire from heaven [Note: 2 Kings 1:10-12.], than one of the Lord’s little ones shall perish [Note: Matthew 18:14.].”]

2. That none shall hurt us without his permission—

[As we depend on God for our happiness as well as for our existence, so are both our being and our well-being secured by him. Satan could not touch the person or the property of Job, till he had obtained leave of God to do so [Note: Job 1:12; Job 2:6.]. “Nor can any weapon that is formed against us, prosper [Note: Isaiah 54:17.],” any further than our God shall see good to permit it. “His angels encamp round about us [Note: Psalms 34:7.],” and have an especial charge to “keep us in all our ways, that we dash not our foot against a stone [Note: Psalms 91:11-12.].” “Neither the arrow that flieth by day, nor the pestilence that walketh in darkness, can hurt us. Thousands may fall at our side, and ten thousands at our right hand; but it shall not come nigh us [Note: Psalms 91:5-7.].”

We are not indeed at liberty to rush needlessly into danger, from an expectation that God will deliver us; (this were to “tempt the Lord our God [Note: Matthew 4:6-7.];”) but in the path of duty we have nothing to fear: we may “tread upon the lion, the adder, or the dragon [Note: Psalms 91:13. Acts 28:3-6.];” we may drink poison itself [Note: Mark 16:18.], or suffer ourselves to be committed to the flames, without experiencing the smallest injury [Note: Daniel 3:25-27.]: nothing in the whole universe can “harm us, if we be followers of that which is good [Note: 1 Peter 3:13.]:” if God see fit to keep us, we are as safe “in a den of lions” as in a house of friends.]

From this subject we may LEARN,

1. To seek God without delay—

[There is no period of life when we can call one day, or one hour, our own. We are altogether “in God’s hands;” and, if he withdraw his support for one moment, we perish, as certainly as a stone gravitates to the earth. Shall we then, when so entirely dependent on our God, provoke him to cast us out of his hands? Shall we continue to despise his patience and forbearance, till he swear in his wrath that our “time shall be no longer [Note: Revelation 10:6.]?” Think, how many have lost the time afforded them, and how bitterly they now bewail their folly: and beg of God, that he would “so teach you to number your days, that you may apply your hearts unto wisdom [Note: Psalms 90:12.].”]

2. To serve him without fear—

[We are too apt to keep back from serving God through fear of the persecutions we may endure from man. But, if our times be in God’s hands, all our concerns must be there too; and nothing can befall us but by his appointment, “Who art thou, then, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and forgettest the Lord thy Maker [Note: Isaiah 51:12-13.]?” Are we not told, that “the wrath of man shall praise him; and that the remainder of it he shall restrain [Note: Psalms 76:10.]?” Be bold then for God; “set your face as a flint against the whole world [Note: Isaiah 49:7-9.],” and trust in him for protection. He will not indeed screen you from all trials; because it is on many accounts necessary that you should feel them [Note: 1 Peter 1:6.]: but he will suffer none to come upon you which he will not enable you to bear, none which he will not sanctify to your eternal good [Note: 1 Corinthians 10:13.].

3. To trust him without carefulness—

[It is foolish as well as impious to distrust God, or to murmur at any of his dispensations. In whose hands could the disposal of all events be placed so much to our advantage, as in his, who possesses infinite wisdom to devise what is best, and infinite power to effect it? Would we be made the sport of chance or fortune? Or would we have our present and everlasting concerns left wholly to our own management? If we are not fit to regulate our temporal affairs till we attain the age of manhood, how much less can we ever be competent to take the reins of God’s government into our own hands, and to order the affairs of his kingdom? But our times will be in God’s hands, whether we acquiesce in it or not. Let us therefore contentedly leave ourselves to his all-wise disposal, assured that “he doeth all things well,” and will make “all things to work together for good to them that love him.”]

DISCOURSE: 545

THE GOODNESS OF GOD TO HIS BELIEVING PEOPLE

Psalms 31:19-20. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee, before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

THE salvation of the Gospel is a present salvation: the “godliness which it inspires is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life which now is, as well as that which is to come.” It is needless to say that the trials of life are great; and that men in every situation of life need the supports and consolations of religion to carry them through the difficulties which they have to encounter. But of the extent to which these supports and consolations are administered to God’s chosen people, very little idea can be formed by those who have never experienced a communication of them to their souls. David was highly favoured in this respect. He lived in a state of near and habitual fellowship with God; spreading before him all his wants, and receiving from him such supplies of grace and peace as his daily necessities required. Hence with devout rapture he expresses his admiration of Gods goodness to his believing people.

This is the subject which we propose for our present meditation; and which, in correspondence with the words of our text, we shall consider,

I. In a general view—

The terms by which the Lord’s people are characterized sufficiently distinguish them from all others, since none but they do truly “fear God,” or unfeignedly “put their trust in him.” They are the true Israel; in reference to whom it is said, “God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart [Note: Psalms 73:1.].”

In speaking of his goodness to them, we shall notice,

1. That which is “laid up for them”—

[In the time of David the great truths of the Gospel were but indistinctly known; the fuller manifestation of them being reserved for the Apostolic age: as St. Paul, quoting a remarkable passage from the Prophet Isaiah, says; “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him;” and then adds, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit [Note: Isaiah 64:4. with 1 Corinthians 2:9-10].” To the Jewish Church therefore these things are only “laid up,” as it were, in types and prophecies: and though made known in the Gospel, they are still but imperfectly viewed by the Christian world; and may be considered as “laid up” for the Church at this time, no less than in former ages: for it is only by slow degrees that any one attains to the knowledge of them; and whatever attainments any one may have made, he sees only “as in a glass darkly, and knows only in part;” there being in it a length and breadth and depth and height utterly beyond the power of any finite intelligence to explore [Note: Ephesians 3:18-19.]. The “riches” that are stored up for us in Christ even in this world are altogether “unsearchable [Note: Ephesians 3:8.]:” what then must the glories be which are “reserved in heaven for us!” The more we contemplate the blessings which God has treasured up for us in the Son of his love — — —, the more shall we exclaim with David, “Oh how great is his goodness!”]

2. That which God has actually “wrought for them”—

[Every believer was once “dead in trespasses and sins,” even as others. But he has been quickened by the mighty energy of God’s Spirit, and been raised up to newness of life. He is “a new creature in Christ Jesus;” all his views, his desires, his purposes, being altogether changed — — — He has the heart of stone taken from him, and a heart of flesh substituted in its place. He has been “made a partaker of the divine nature,” and “been renewed after God’s image; and that, not in knowledge only, but in righteousness also and true holiness.” He is brought altogether into a new state, having been “translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son,” and been made “an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ.” In a word, he is “begotten to an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled and never-fading, reserved in heaven for him;” and for the full possession of which he also is reserved by the power of God, through the simple exercise of faith [Note: 2 Peter 1:4.] — — — All this he has wrought for them “before the sons of men.” They are evidently “a seed which the Lord has blessed:” they are “lights in a dark world,” “epistles of Christ, known and read of all men” — — —]

But in the latter part of our text, we are called to consider the goodness of God towards his people,

II. With a particular reference to their intercourse

with the ungodly world—

Exceeding bitter are those pains which men inflict on each other by calumnies and reproaches—

[To speak good one of another affords no particular pleasure; but to hear and circulate some evil report affords to the carnal mind the highest gratification: and in such employment all the corruptions of our fallen nature find ample scope for exercise and indulgence. Who can estimate the evils arising from “pride,” and “the strife of tongues?” Some little idea may be formed from the description given of the tongue by an inspired Apostle: “Behold,” says he, “how great a matter a little fire kindleth! The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell [Note: James 3:5-6.].” How exceedingly strong are these terms! Yet it is by no means an exaggerated statement of the evils proceeding from calumny in the world at large: but as representing the virulence and malignity with which men calumniate the people of God, they come yet nearer to the truth. In the very words preceding my text, David faintly portrays the conduct of the ungodly in relation to this matter: “Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” In another psalm he speaks in far stronger terms: “My soul,” says he, “is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword [Note: Psalms 57:4.].” The truth is, that men can inflict, and often do inflict, far deeper wounds with their tongue than they could with the most powerful weapon. With a sword they can only wound the body: but with bitter and cruel words they wound the inmost soul. Under the former we may easily support ourselves; but “a wounded spirit who can bear?]

But against these does God provide for his people an effectual antidote—

[Though more exposed than others to the venomous assaults of slander, they have a refuge which the worldling knows not of. They carry their trials to the Lord, and spread them before him; and from him they receive such supports and consolations as more than counterbalance the evils they sustain. “In the secret of God’s presence they are hid.” When nigh to him in prayer, they are hid as in a pavilion, or a royal tent, protected by armed hosts, and furnished with the richest viands [Note: Psalms 27:5-6.]. But the full import of these terms cannot adequately be expressed. Who shall say what is implied in those words, “The secret of God’s presence?” who shall declare what a fulness of joy is there possessed by the believing suppliant? How powerless are the fiery darts which are hurled at him by the most envenomed foes, whilst God himself is a wall of fire round about him, and the glory of God irradiates his soul, inspiring it with a foretaste of heaven itself! Some little idea of his enjoyment may be formed from the history of Hezekiah at the time of Sennacherib’s invasion. It was “a day of trouble, and of rebuke and blasphemy;” and the feelings excited in the bosom of Hezekiah were most distressing: but scarcely had he spread before the Lord the letter which the blaspheming Rabshakeh had sent him, than he was encouraged by God to return this triumphant answer; “The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee [Note: Isaiah 37:3; Isaiah 37:14; Isaiah 37:21-22.].” Thus, like one who saw “the heavens filled with horses of fire and chariots of fire” for his protection, he set at nought the vain boasts of his enemies, and anticipated a certain triumph. Thus, how malignant soever the believer’s enemies may be, he is hid from them as in an impregnable fortress, and looks down on their fruitless efforts with pity and contempt.]

Address—

1. Let us seek to attain the character here drawn—

[To fear God is the duty, and to trust in him the privilege, of every child of man — — — Learn then to tremble for fear of his judgments, and to rely on his mercy as revealed to you in his Gospel — — — for then only can you experience the blessings of his goodness, when you surrender up yourselves to him to be saved by his grace — — —]

2. Let us enjoy the privileges conferred upon us—

[For a fuller discovery of the believer’s privileges, we may consult the declarations of David in the Psalms [Note: Psalms 91:1-4; Psalms 91:9-16; Psalms 55:21-22.] — — — Let us not rest in any thing short of them. Let us get such a sense of them as shall overwhelm us with wonder, and gratitude, and praise — — —]

DISCOURSE: 546

THE GODLY ENCOURAGED TO TRUST IN GOD

Psalms 31:21-24. Blessed be the Lord; for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

THE use of biography is universally acknowledged. It leads us into the recesses of domestic life; and teaches us, either from the frailties or the excellencies of others, how to conduct ourselves in a great variety of emergencies, which we ourselves must expect to meet with in life. But sacred biography is infinitely more interesting than that which proceeds only from uninspired pens, because the circumstances which are brought to light are more minute—more diversified—more authentic, than any records which people would choose to give of themselves, or than others would be capable of giving respecting them. On this account the Psalms of David claim the highest possible regard. Perhaps there never was a man whose circumstances were more varied than his: and certainly there never was a man who committed to writing all the secret motions of his heart with more fidelity than he; or that laboured more to improve them for the benefit of mankind.

This appears, as in many other psalms, so especially in that before us; as will be clearly seen, whilst we notice,

I. His acknowledgment of mercies conferred upon him—

To enter fully into this, we must refer to the occasion on which the psalm was penned. It was written, I apprehend, after his deliverance from Saul, when, from his being surrounded by Saul’s army, he had conceived it impossible for him to escape. Indeed, his deliverance was truly “marvellous;” and it was wrought by the special intervention of Almighty God, in answer to his prayer. At the very moment that his blood-thirsty persecutor had, to all appearance, effected his purpose, tidings came that the Philistines had invaded the land of Judah; and Saul was compelled to return instantly from his pursuit of David, in order to repel the invaders [Note: 1 Samuel 23:27-28.]. In reference to these circumstances, David first acknowledges the mercy in general terms: “Blessed be the Lord; for he hath shewed his marvellous kindness in a strong city,” that is, in “the strong holds” to which he had fled: and then he specifies more particularly the relief he had found in answer to prayer, when his own mind was overwhelmed with desponding fears.

In the peaceful state of the Church at this clay, we are not likely to be reduced to David’s state for our religion’s sake: and, therefore, as far as the literal sense of the psalm goes, it is not applicable to us. But, of deliverances equally “marvellous,” we may speak. Let me then ask,

1. Whether you have not, at times, been ready to despond?

[We can know but little either of our guilt or corruption, if we have not “had the sentence of death in ourselves [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:9.],” and felt that we had “no sufficiency in ourselves” to save ourselves [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:5.]. Have we never, then, under a sense of our extreme unworthiness and helplessness, been ready to doubt whether we could finally attain salvation, and “said, as it were, in our haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes?” Go back to some particular seasons, when your great adversary has prevailed against you, and seemed as if, like a roaring lion, he would utterly destroy you: has it not, at such seasons, been difficult to lay hold on the divine promises, and to flee for refuge to the hope set before you? — — —]

2. Whether God have not at such seasons interposed for you, in answer to your prayer?

[There are few that have not had reason to “bless and adore their God, for shewing them his marvellous kindness in such seasons as these. The experience of the Prophet Jeremiah has been realized by God’s people in every age: “Waters flowed over my head. Then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice, and not hid thine ear at my breathing and my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not [Note: Lamentations 3:54-57.].” From you, then, the Psalmist’s acknowledgment is clue: and by you it should be made to the latest hour of your lives.]

Full of gratitude, he pours forth,

II. His exhortations, founded on his own experience—

He exhorts the saints,

1. To love God—

[God is worthy to be loved for his own divine excellencies: but he should be loved also for the wisdom and equity of his dispensations. “The faithful he does and will preserve:” yes, both from men and devils will he preserve them: he will “hide them under the shadow of his wings,” and “keep them even as the apple of his eye” — — — But “the proud doer, whosoever he may be, he will plentifully reward” with judgments proportioned to his impiety — — — The ungodly may indeed triumph for a time, and the godly be left to groan under the rod of the oppressor: but a day of righteous retribution is at hand, when “God will recompense tribulation to those who trouble his people; and to those who are troubled, rest [Note: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7.]”— — — Shall not the assurance of this be a comfort to the saints, even under their deepest troubles? Surely it should — — — so that I may well urge upon them the exhortation before us: “O love the Lord, all ye his saints.”]

2. To trust in God—

[There are seasons when the saints can scarcely be said to believe and trust, whilst yet they do hope in God; saying, as it were, “If I perish, I will perish at his footstool, crying for mercy.” Now then, to all such persons I say, “God will strengthen your heart,” yea, and strengthen your arm too, so that “the arms of your hands shall be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob [Note: Genesis 49:24.].” He will even “perfect his own strength in your weakness,” so that no enemy shall be able to prevail against you. “Be of good courage,” then, my Brethren. Though you cannot fully trust in God, yet, if you can hope in him, be not afraid: for God will vindicate your cause, and “bruise all your enemies, not excepting even Satan himself, under your feet shortly [Note: Romans 16:20.].”]

Exhortation—

1. Learn to see and to acknowledge the mercies of God towards you—

[What loss is sustained, both of comfort to the saints, and of honour to the Deity, by the inattention of men to the dispensations of their God! How many deliverances, both temporal and spiritual, have we all experienced; but of which, through our remissness, God has never received any tribute of praise! — — — Know ye, that if ye will be observant of God’s dealings towards you, you will never want a theme for gratitude and praise — — —]

2. Be not satisfied with your own happiness, but seek to advance also the happiness of others—

[David never celebrates any mercy vouchsafed to him, without improving it as an occasion for commending God to others, and exhorting them to unite with him in every possible expression of love and gratitude. Thus should it be with us also. We are not, indeed, called to make known to all the secret workings of our own hearts; but we are called to edify one another, and to take every suitable occasion of honouring our God. Let us, then, do this; and do it, too, with holy zeal. Let us “abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness, that all his works may praise him, and all his saints may bless him [Note: Psalms 145:5-10.].”]