---

The text declares that with the Lord there is this, and we observe -

I. IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY TRUE.

1. The Scriptures affirm it. It is not alone the declaration of this Scripture, but of many more besides.

2. And experience, that of myriads of believers in all ages, attests the same truth. They will tell us with one accord that they have found it so.

3. And it is plenteous because it is redemption from all evil.

(1) From the guilt and condemnation of sin. Utter and complete forgiveness is ours through the death of Christ our Lord.

(2) From the power and tyranny of sin. The blood of Christ keeps cleansing the soul of the man who walks in the light, and is ever trusting in Christ, from all sin (1 John 1:7).

(3) From sorrow's crushing power; for Christ is revealed to us as knowing all our sorrows, sympathizing with us, helping us in them, and for us turning their evil into good. "All things work together for good," etc. (Romans 8:28).

(4) From the fret and worry of life; the believer is taught-the lesson of continued trust, and so to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6, 7).

(5) From the power of death; for the believer does not die in the sense in which of old time death was understood, for he who believes enters no Hades, no intermediate state, but, as Jesus said, he never dies - his body may - but he himself departs, and is at once with Christ, which is far better. Thus is there plenteous redemption.

4. And it is accessible to all. (Isaiah 55:1.) It is the free gift of God.

II. BUT MANY DO NOT CARE FOR IT. They would like a redemption from pain and distress; but they do not care for a redemption from sin - they love and hold on to it too much; holiness excites no desire in their hearts; they love sin.

III. AND MANY OF THOSE WHO DO DARE CAN HARDLY BE GOT TO BELIEVE IN IT. They cannot realize that it is a free gift. For:

1. They keep thinking that they must do something in the way of righteousness and holiness if they are to be saved. They want to bring something of their own to God, in return for which they shall be saved.

2. And there is much to foster this unbelief.

(1) Free gifts out of pure good will are not the way of the world. You must bring your money and pay the price.

(2) And all other religions demand the due tale of good works and meritorious deeds.

(3) For all excellence -physical, artistic, intellectual, moral - we have to toil and do the needful work.

(4) And our pride protests against an eleemosynary salvation.

3. But such unbelief cannot be true.

(1) For think first of him with whom this redemption is. It is the Lord. But can we imagine him bargaining, haggling, coming to terms, over our salvation, as if he were a seller, and not a giver?

(2) And of ourselves. What have we got that could by any imagination be supposed adequate for the purchase? What is all our righteousness?

(3) Of the gift itself. It is so great that it can only be ours by gift; in no other way could we have it.

IV. BUT THIS GRACE OF GOD, IN BESTOWING ON US FREELY THIS PLENTEOUS REDEMPTION, IS JUSTIFIED BY ITS RESULTS.

1. It wakes up in the recipient an overwhelming gratitude. But this is a mighty incentive to all holy obedience.

2. It enables us to go to the vilest of men and proclaim God's mercy waiting for them. We could not do this were it not all of grace.

3. It forbids alike both boasting and despair.

4. It shows a dear path to the fullest salvation the world can know. I can be holy as he is holy, because of this free gift received through faith.

5. It redounds to the glory of God. - S.C.

---

---

KJV: Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

WEB: Israel, hope in Yahweh, for with Yahweh there is loving kindness. With him is abundant redemption.