DISCOURSE: 717
TRUST IN THE LORD
Psalms 125:1-2. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth even for ever.
IN forming our estimate of men, we are apt to look at their actions only; and even our own characters, also, we try by that standard. But it is the habit of the mind that chiefly marks the man; and by that we shall be estimated at the tribunal of our God. Doubtless actions are important, as indicative of principles from whence they flow; and by them, we, who can only see the external fruits, are constrained to judge of the quality of the root from whence they proceed. But the heart-searching God looks at the root itself; and approves or disapproves of men according to the real quality and habit of their minds.
In reading the words before us, we might estimate at a low rate the character here designated, did we not analyze the terms by which that character is described. But, if we take sufficient pains to explore the import of the words, and the true nature of the grace which they delineate, we shall see that the person “who trusts in the Lord” is a very exalted character, and that the blessedness here accorded to him is precisely such as becomes a holy God to confer upon him.
Let us consider,
I. The character here described—
“Trust in the Lord” does not import a mere general acknowledgment of God as the Governor of the universe: it implies incomparably more, even a deep conviction of his special providence, and of his incessant attention to every the minutest concern of his own peculiar people. It implies, I say, this conviction,
1. In our views—
[Let it be considered what trust is. It of necessity imports some engagement on the part of him in whom that trust is reposed. Consequently, a general notion of God’s ordering all things according to the counsel of his own will, however deep that conviction be, will not amount to the grace that is here described. The devils possess that conviction, in its utmost possible extent; but they cannot trust in God, because they have no promise given them, nor any ground whatever to hope that he will ever interpose in their favour. The person who trusts in the Lord must see him as a Covenant-God in Christ Jesus, engaged to accomplish for his chosen people all that their necessities can require — — —]
2. In our habits—
[With such views of the Deity must be united a total renunciation of every other hope, and a committing of all our concerns to him, for body and for soul, for time and for eternity. There must be a going forth of the soul to him in prayer; a spreading of our wants before him; and a declared affiance in his great and precious promises. Viewing him as both a God of providence and of grace, we must fully expect his attention to our every request, to order every thing for our good, and to save us in Christ Jesus with an everlasting salvation. Our expectations must be co-extensive with his engagements: and, as he has engaged to “be a God unto us,” we must expect from him all that unerring wisdom, unbounded power, unsearchable love, and unchanging faithfulness, can effect — — — This is, in fact, what the Apostle elsewhere calls “the life of faith in the Son of God;” and nothing short of this will answer the character in my text. But, wherever this is, there shall also be,]
II.
The privileges connected with it—
There shall be,
1. Stability—
[Mount Zion was a place of so much strength, that, from the days of Joshua to the time of David, the Israelites could never take it. They occupied Jerusalem: but Mount Zion was too strong for them; insomuch that the Jebusites who inhabited it laughed them to scorn, vaunting, that if there were none left but blind and lame to defend the fortress, the Jews should never be able to prevail against it [Note: 2 Samuel 5:6-8.]. But far more impregnable is the fortress in which they dwell who trust in the Lord: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth to it, and is safe [Note: Proverbs 18:10.].” They may be assaulted both by men and devils; but they are assured, that “God will keep them by his own power, through faith, unto everlasting salvation [Note: 1 Peter 1:5.].” They are in the Saviour’s hands; and he has pledged himself that “none shall ever pluck them out of his hands [Note: John 10:28-29.].” In themselves they remain weak as ever, as both David and Peter have clearly shewn; but in Christ they are strong: and in the Covenant which is made with them in Christ, and “which is ordered in all things and sure,” it is engaged, on the part of God, that they shall never be moved, and that “the gates of hell shall never prevail against them [Note: Matthew 16:18.].”]
2. Protection—
[The hills that were round about Jerusalem protected it on every side; so that the Romans, it was confessed, would not have been able to subdue it, if the garrison themselves had not madly assisted them by their mutual contentions. But far more effectually does the Lord protect his people, being to them “a wall of fire round about them [Note: Zechariah 2:5.];” a wall which will not only ward off the assaults of their enemies, but will itself destroy their assailants. In fact, “he keeps them even as the apple of his eye [Note: Deuteronomy 32:10.]:” and “sooner shall the ordinances of heaven and earth pass away, and the foundations of the world be searched out,” than any one of them shall be left to perish [Note: Jeremiah 31:35-37 and Isaiah 54:9-10.]. To assure them of this, “he has confirmed his covenant with an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, they might have strong consolation [Note: Hebrews 6:17-18,],” and live “assured that nothing shall ever separate them from his love [Note: Romans 8:34-39.].”]
To all of you, then, I say,
1.
Get just views of your God and Saviour—
[Be not satisfied with a general acknowledgment of him; but study his nature as revealed in the inspired volume, and acquaint yourselves with his dispensations as exhibited in the sacred records. See him delivering his people Israel out of Egypt, and supporting them in the wilderness, and establishing them in the land of Canaan; and then rest assured, that he is the same God, alike powerful, alike gracious, and alike faithful to all his engagements — — —]
2. Let your expectations from him be to the utmost extent of your necessities—
[There should be no limit to them, provided only they do not contravene the Lord’s will, and tend to the subversion of his glory. “However wide you open your mouth, he will fill it;” and however “large your desires be, he will fulfil them [Note: Psalms 145:19.].” Listen not, under any circumstances, to flesh and blood, like Asa, who in his sickness sought to the physicians: but even though sense should stand in direct opposition to faith, as in Abraham’s call to sacrifice his son Isaac, “be strong in faith, giving glory to your God [Note: Romans 4:20.].” Your divine Master, who has engaged himself for you, would have you to “be without carefulness.” His command is, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus [Note: Philippians 4:6-7.].” Only “cast your care thus on him,” and you will soon know, by sweet experience, the force of that appeal which David made to the all-seeing God; “O Lord God of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee [Note: Psalms 84:12.]!”]