(James Smith, “Christ and the Christian” 1853) Play Audio! Download Audio
“Hold me up, and I shall be safe!” Psalm 119:117
Is the Christian guided aright through this wilderness world?
It is by the wisdom of Christ!
He has no wisdom of his own, and is surrounded by snares and foes! Because he has within him a principle of evil, which invariably prompts him to leave the right road and is prone to miss the mark, like a broken bow. He is attracted and affected by external worldly objects, which feed . . .
the lust of the flesh,
lust of the eye,
and the pride of life.
But for divine wisdom guiding him, he would stray into the fatal paths of folly and crime! To guide him aright requires an omniscient eye, a wise intellect, loving heart; and Jesus possesses and exercises these for the good of His people.
Therefore Is the Christian protected from the innumerable dangers and foes to which he is exposed?
It is by the power of Christ!
Therefore that power is his guard and his defense.
Because An almighty arm is placed beneath him, to uphold him,
lifted up,to defend him.
He looks to it when foes assail him;
leans on it when his own strength fails him;
and he trusts in it in every hour of danger.
Therefore without the power of Jesus, he never could persevere;
with it, he can never apostatize. It keeps him . . .
as a garrison keeps a town,
and as a shepherd keeps his flock,
as a parent does his child.
Is the Christian supplied? Are his needs anticipated and met?
It is by the providence of Christ!
Because Jesus rules over all worlds!
He directs and controls all events!
Keeps His eye and His heart upon His people!
He is engaged to provide for them, and He sacredly keeps His engagement.
Therefore He is . . .
observant of all our wants,
attentive to our cries, and
ready to supply our needs.
Because With Jesus as our provider–we are strengthened, supplied, and supported.
Therefore O Jesus! what would we be without You?
Dead in our sins!
Under eternal condemnation!
Slaves of our lusts!
Lost and wandering sheep!
Captives of Satan!
Wild and lawless rebels!
Miserable and starving paupers!
Exposed to the just wrath of Almighty God!
Therefore “Hold me up, and I shall be safe!” Psalm 119:117