Psalm 34:22 The LORD redeems the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. I. WHAT TRUST IS. We do not need to bewilder ourselves with metaphysical and theological subtleties. We know what it is to run to a refuge from storm or danger. So, then, "none of them that flee to Him for refuge shall be condemned." II. THE ACCOMPANIMENTS IN THE DEVOUT SOUL OF TRUE TRUST IN GOD. Has it by its side a real penitence? Does there walk behind it a consistent and steadfast righteousness? Are we not only trusting the Lord, but serving Him? If our faith has drawn after it these things, it is true. If it has not, it is no real flight to the one Refuge. Righteousness in heart and in character and in conduct is the child of trust. True contrition accompanies it in its birth, but is nourished and nurtured by it thereafter. III. THE GREAT REWARD AND BLESSING OF QUIET TRUST. "None of them that flee to Him for refuge shall be condemned." The word in its original and literal meaning, signifies "desolate." And I would have you to think of the profound truth that is covered by the fact that such a word should afterwards take on the meaning of "guilt." It teaches that guilt is desolation. Again, note the profound truth that lies in the other fact that the self-same word means "guilty" and "punishment." For that says to us that criminality and retribution always go together, and that the same thing, in one aspect, is our sin, and, in another aspect, is our hell and punishment. Then, further, note that broad, unconditional, blessed assurance, cast into negative form, but involving a great deal more than a negation, "None of them that trust in Him shall be condemned." The reason why they that trust in Him are not condemned is because they that trust in Him, stand in the full sunshine of His love, and are saturated and soaked through and through, if they will, with the warmth and the light and the felicity of its beams. "They shall not be condemned," and "whom He justifies them He also glorifies." (A. Maclaren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. |
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