13 The Fearful Encouraged

The Fearful Encouraged "Is My hand so shortened that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?"Isaiah 50:2

These words are an appeal to the discouraged, or the desponding. Many people give way to discouraging thoughts, and then the gloom of despondency spreads over their minds. However deeply we may feel, we should not give way to discouragement; much less yield to despondency. The gospel always bids the sinner to hope in God. The case may he trying — but it is not desperate. The condition of the soul may be alarming — but it is not hopeless. There is a remedy. A remedy which if applied, will reach the case. Man may be unable to help — but God can; what is too hard for the creature, the Creator can do with ease.

Perhaps you have recently been convinced of sin. You see the sinfulness of your past life as you never saw it before. You have sinned against light, against warnings, against the convictions of conscience, against solemn purposes which you had formed. Your whole life now appears to be a course of sin. You see that there is no excuse. You feel that guilty. You are condemned. You are ashamed to look up. Something within whispers, "It is all over. It is no use for you to try. There is no hope for you. The Lord has given you up. He will not show mercy to you!" You think this is probably the case. You are depressed and dejected. You feel that you are giving way to melancholy. To you the Lord speaks, to you he appeals, he asks, "Is My hand so shortened that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?" I have saved such as you are. Can I not save such now? Why cannot I save you? But perhaps you are saying, "It is not so much the past — as the present. It is the present state of my heart that discourages me. It is so hard, it is like the adamant, harder than the flint. It is so cold and insensible, that scarcely anything makes an impression upon it. It is so fickle and unsettled — it roves from thing to thing, and wanders from object to object, nothing that is good seems to have power to attract and fix it. And what is worse than all, there is still a lingering attachment to some of my old sinful customs and courses. Surely no one ever found mercy of the Lord, who was just in my case! All the past is sinful, all the present is impure. If I look back — the sins of a whole life rise up against me! And if I look within — all is hard, cold, dark, and wandering! For me surely there can be no help in God. I dread the wrath of a just and holy God. I tremble at the very thought of appearing before him in judgment, which I shortly must. I am filled with the most painful doubts, and harassed with the most tormenting fears. Can there be hope for me?"

It is of you that Jehovah asks, "Is My hand so shortened that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?" God asks you, "What do you think of me? What do you think of my power — is it omnipotent? What do you think of my mercy — is it infinite? What do you think of my word — is it true? Do you think that I have never saved such a sinner as you are? Or that if I have not — it is because I cannot? Would you limit my saving power, or my redeeming mercy? Do you think that I cannot redeem you from Satan — who has led you captive at his will? Or from sin — which has so long had dominion over you? Or from that Hell — which you have so richly deserved? What is Satan — but one of your fellow-creatures? What is sin — but the transgression of my law, for which my Son has made an infinite atonement? What is Hell — but the expression of my wrath, the prison were impenitent transgressors are bound? Have I no power to deliver you . . .
from the guilt which burdens you,
from the fears which torment you,
from the unbelief which oppresses you,
from the danger which threatens you?" My friend, God can deliver you! He can deliver you with the utmost ease. There is nothing uncommon in your case. All you feel, is the natural effect of conviction, working in a mind not enlightened by the gospel. The power of God is unlimited. He can redeem you. He brought David up out of the horrible pit and the miry clay. He delivered Jonah from the belly of Hell, when he cried. He will also deliver you. As vast as his power is — his love is equal to his power. His mercy is tender beyond description or comparison. It is mercy that speaks to you now, that appeals to you in this striking manner, that asks "Is My hand so shortened that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?"

Beware how you limit the mercy of God, it is sinful to do so. Beware how you put the good news which the gospel brings, away from you. Rather plead with him as the Psalmist did, and say, "Remember, O Lord, your tender mercies and your loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to your mercy remember you me, for your goodness sake, O Lord. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity — for it is great! Turn you unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring you me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins." Psalms 25:1-22. Endeavor to take into your mind such views of God as he did, and let your thoughts dwell upon them. He says, "You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all those who call upon You. You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth!" Psalms 86:5-15.

These are the views you should take of the divine character. It is thus that God reveals himself to you. What cannot such a God do? To what may not his mercy extend? Who may not apply with hope? Hope, therefore in the Lord, for "with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption." Psalms 130:7. But the appeal is just as applicable to a tried Christian, as to a desponding sinner, and such an one may read these pages. Beloved, it may be, that . . .
your foes are many and violent,
your trials are great and varied,
your burdens are heavy and oppressive,
your way is rough and dreary,
your heart is weak and fearful,
your faith is feeble and wavering,
your fears are many and painful,
your prospects are gloomy and trying,
and your heart sinks within you! You are ready to say, "All these things are against me!"

Now in these circumstances the Lord speaks to you, and he puts the question to your conscience: "Is My hand so shortened that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?"

You have read in my word what wonders I wrought of old, and for whom I wrought them. Now cannot I do again, what I have done once? Is my arm shortened that it cannot reach you? or weakened that it cannot defend, extricate, or deliver you? Because you are in trouble — must I have changed? "I am Jehovah, I do not change — therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed!"

Beloved, carry your trials to your God, cast your burdens upon him, appeal to his mercy, seek grace from him, and endeavor to exercise faith in his word. He can deliver you. He will deliver you. Yield not then to despondency — but rest on the simple, certain promises of his word. Your dejection will discourage others, and it dishonors your gracious God. Try you he will — desert you he never will. Your principles shall be put to the proof — but his promises shall all be made good. Look away therefore from all that depresses you, and look to the arm of your God. That can support you — and it will. It can rescue you, and your God will stretch it out for your deliverance. Never give way to despondency, or yield to despair, until you have good reason to conclude, that you are beyond the reach of the arm of God, or that he has no power to deliver you. Until then, trust in him at all times, and you will find him a refuge for you.