Psalm 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. The Lord of Hosts — that means the God of power; the God who has all hosts of all sorts at His beck and under His control; the great King whom all created powers, whether marshalled in heaven or ranked on earth, somehow must obey. The Lord of Hosts is the God of Providence, therefore — the circle of whose wise government embraces the least and greatest persons, forces, things. The God of Jacob — that means the God of covenant-keeping; the God who promises, and never breaks His promises. And our Scripture asserts that He is with us, that He is our refuge. "We are thus reminded of the double prop on which our faith rests; the infinite power, whereby He can subdue the universe unto Himself; and the fatherly love, which He has revealed in His Word. When these two are joined together, our faith may trample on all enemies." I. This God is with Us AS AN INWARD INVIGORATION. "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God." No city was supplied with water as was Jerusalem within itself. For there was within Jerusalem a living spring beneath the temple vaults. It was this spring whence the water welled to fill the two Siloam pools. In this way this God of power and of promise will be with us, if we will have it so. Even as Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as the fountain of living water within the believing man. God shall be, for such a man, internal supply and strength, making the man the master of difficulties, not the slave of them. Right here is the mightiest need for all of us — that we have God thus with us, in the meaning of within us, by the Holy Spirit. 1. It is the cure for cold and laggard hearts. 2. It is the inspiration of delightful and loving service. 3. It is the power and defence against bad habits. 4. It is the sweet expeller of all unbrotherliness. II. This God of power and of promise will be with us also AS A HELPING PRESENCE. "God is in the midst of her," etc. III. This God of power and of promise shall be with us AS A MASTERFUL DELIVERANCE (ver. 6). (W. Hoyt, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. |
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