Judges 13:1-25 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD… I. WHAT ARE THOSE TOKENS OF FAVOUR WHICH HAVE BEEN SHOWN EVERY TRUE BELIEVER? 1. Is it no token of God's favour that you have been kept alive to your calling? that you were not suffered to drop into hell before you had any knowledge of the way to heaven? 2. It is a token of distinguishing favour that thou hast not received the gospel of "the grace of God in vain" (2 Corinthians 6:1). The gospel has been welcomed not only to thy house, but to thine heart. 3. It is a token of distinguishing favour that thou hast at any time seen the truth of thy own grace. As thy God hath His hiding times, so there are also times of finding (Psalm 32:6). Many a prayer begun in distress has ended in delight. Thy God has raised thee out of thy depths, and set thee on thy high places. 4. It is a token of distinguishing, favour that thou hast been kept from falling by temptations, or that thou hast been recovered when fallen. Afflictions have purged thy dross, and brightened thy gold. Unruly thoughts have been often quieted by Divine consolations. 5. It is a token of distinguishing favour that thou hast been kept close to the appointed ways and means of comfort, under all thy complaints for want of comfort. To be out of the way of duty is to be out of the way of comfort. It is a mark of distinguishing mercy to be kept in the way of comfort. II. WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS WHICH GOD IS EVEN NOW SHOWING THE CHRISTIAN UNDER ALL HIS DARKNESS AND FEARS? 1. Believers see a loveliness in Christ's person, when they cannot discern interest in His love. 2. Believers have strong desires after the truth of grace when they most complain under the want of it. Sorrow and godly mourning flow from love, as well as joy and praise. 3. When believers cannot find sin mortified, it is their desire and prayer that it may be rooted out. It is more on account of indwelling sin, than any worldly affliction and sorrow, that you hear the Christian crying with David (Psalm 55:6). It is by flight doves secure themselves, not by fright. A believer's aim is levelled at the root of sin. 4. Weak as his hope is, a believer dare not cast it away in its darkest seasons. It is the language of his heart, "Yea, though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him." If he cannot go to the throne as sanctified in Christ and called, he will fall down at the footstool as a perishing sinner. III. WHY SUCH WHO HAVE BEEN, AND ARE, BLESSED WITH SUCH TOKENS OF GOD'S FAVOUR SHALL NEVER DIE UNDER HIS WRATH. 1. This would argue God to be wavering and imperfect like ourselves. The great God may alter His way, but He never changes His heart. 2. Were God to accept thy offering, and destroy thy person, what becomes of His faithfulness to Christ the Mediator? Christ purchased, and He intercedes for the weakest grace. 3. Should God kill us, after such grace shown us, one in whom the Spirit inhabits would be lost. 4. God would lose the triumphs of His own grace: "Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life." Grace in us is a creature, but it is kept alive by the grace in God's heart, which is infinite and everlasting. Use 1. See what use you are to make of past experiences. Carry them about with you by faith, that you may turn to them in time of need. Use 2. Be humbled for the weakness of faith, in so great a multitude of experiences. Use 3. Labour to encourage sinners by your taste and experiences of mercy. You were not rejected in your suit for mercy; why then should they doubt in their desires for the same blessing? "With the Lord there is plenteous redemption." Parallel Verses KJV: And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. |
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