(1) “I will strengthen thee.”
Into whatever position He places us, for that He undertakes to give us
the needful strength. If He calls us to be still and suffer, He will
give strength for suffering; if to go forth in His name and labour in His
service, He will give strength for activity; and in the holy warfare
which we are all called to wage with indwelling sin, strength to
overcome. And you must notice that, when He promises to strengthen, He
describes an imparted power. He does not speak of Himself as acting for
you externally, as when He accounts you righteous; but within you,
imparting power, and so enabling you to act for Him. The promise of God
in Scripture is that He will strengthen us, or, in other words, that He
will impart a power of action in His service.
(2) “I will help thee.”
The same lesson respecting man’s activity is taught when He promises to
help. There is a great difference between strengthening and helping. To
strengthen is an inward work, the gift of an inward power. To help is an
external work. I may help a lame man to walk, though I cannot strengthen
his limb. But help implies activity on the part of those who receive it.
God does not help us to do nothing. He helps us to be patient, loving,
gentle, sweet-tempered. He helps us to be diligent and active in His
service; but He does not help us to sit still and be passive. Help
implies exertion. If He strengthens us by the Holy Ghost in the inner
man, and if He undertakes to help us in every struggle against sin, it is
our privilege to accept His promise, and press on, assured of victory.
(3) “I will uphold thee.”
These words appear to convey the idea of danger. We are walking in
slippery places, and with fearful falls on every hand, so that we require
not merely a clear eye to guide us, but a strong hand to hold us. In
every step of our way we require to be upheld. In every moment of our
lives we require to be held up by one who sees all our danger, who knows
the path perfectly well, who can hold us with so strong a grasp that
nothing can pluck us out of His hand, and who, according to the language
of St. Jude, is “able to keep us from falling.” {89a}
It is this perpetual and final preservation that is secured to us in the
third promise; and I would have you most particularly observe that it is
not with the right hand of His mercy, or the right hand of His love, or
of His compassion, or even of His power, but the right hand of His
righteousness. And why is this? Because this grace is the result of the
covenant. By that covenant His people are given to the Lord Jesus that
they may be saved. In fulfilling that covenant He has shed His own most
precious blood for us, to make atonement for our sin. And the result is,
that as, according to St. John, “He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins,” {89b} so, also, is He faithful and just to uphold us against a
fall.
But here, I know, a question will arise. This is God’s promise, but is
it ever realized? It is very beautiful in Scripture, but do we meet with
it in practical life? Are these gifts of God really given? Is this
presence of God really displayed? this upholding power really
experienced? Let us consider these five points and see.
“I am with thee.” Has this been practically experienced? Look at the
words of David in the prospect of his dying hour, “Thou art with me,”
{90a} and, again, “O God, Thou art my God.” {90b}
“I will strengthen thee.” Remember how Daniel realized its fulfilment
when he said, “Let my Lord speak; for Thou hast strengthened me.” {90c}
“I will help thee.” Remember David’s words, “My heart trusted in Him,
and I am helped.” {90d}
“I will uphold thee.” But will He really uphold us through trials and
temptations? Will He really keep us fast in the right hand of His
righteousness, and that when our faith is weak? Turn to Asaph’s
experience. He says of himself, “As for me, my feet were almost gone; my
steps had well-nigh slipped.” {90e} But now look at the upholding arm.
“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right
hand.” {90f} So, then, this promise has been practically fulfilled. God
has been true to His word, and men have found Him so. His truth has
never failed, and will He fail us? Will he fail the weakest amongst us?
Will He cease to uphold His people? Let us trust Him. We are not worthy
to do so. If He had treated us as we have deserved, He would long since
have cast us off. But He has not treated us as we have deserved. He has
loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, so we may trust
Him, and leave all in His care; and of this we may rest perfectly
assured, that the strong arm will never give way.