November 18

Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. - Psalms 89:19.

LET us consider, First, That we need help. This help refers to our spiritual welfare,-not to the things of time and sense. It refers to us not as mere creatures, but as fallen creatures. God does nothing in vain, and therefore he would not have been at the. expense of providing a Saviour if we had not been lost.

Christianity does three things for us. First, It tells us that this was not our original state; that “God made man upright, but he sought out many inventions.”

Secondly, It checks much of the evils of depravity now, by its direct influence in many cases, and by its indirect influence in many more. It has done more for men than all human institutions in the aggregate besides. Through its means what efforts have been made to meet every kind of distress or woe! Then,

Thirdly, and above all, It tells us of a remedy for all human depravity, which is placed within our reach if we will avail ourselves of it; and therefore, if we perish in this state, the blame will be our own.

Secondly, We observe that, as we need help, so God has provided it. This is the grand peculiarity of the dispensation of the gospel, and it is the delightful office of its ministers to report this, and to show unto men the way of salvation. It is infinitely adapted to all our wants and weaknesses; it is also all-sufficient to meet the ravages of the evil. “Yea,” said the apostle, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

This help includes, First, Redemption. “With the Lord there is plenteous redemption.” “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Thus the burden too heavy to be borne is rolled off the conscience, and we now “joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have now received the atonement.”

Secondly, It includes justification. Our relief from condemnation does not entitle us to glory, neither does the pardon of sin; but we must have a title to heaven before we can obtain it; and from whence is this to be derived, but from the righteousness of Christ by faith which is unto and upon all that believe?

Thirdly, It takes in renovation. Man is not only guilty, but depraved; therefore he cannot be happy while in his natural state and under the dominion and love of sin. In this condition it is impossible for him to serve God or hold communion with him; therefore he must be renewed, he must become spiritually-minded.

Fourthly, In strength. The Christian’s duties are arduous; they are numerous and various, and he is inadequate to any one of them; but, says the Saviour, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” The blessed Spirit also is promised and enjoyed; and now the man lives in the Spirit, and walks in the Spirit, and prays in the Spirit, who also helps his infirmities.

Lastly, It takes in persevering grace; for he only “that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Perseverance is not only required of us as a duty, but is insured to us as a privilege. We are not only commanded to be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” but we have the promise, “The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.