Meditation July 8th., 1656
This sermon emphasizes the faithfulness and love of God, and the sufficiency of His word in times of need, encouraging listeners to trust in Him and find lasting life and salvation.
Anne Bradstreet shares a personal testimony of experiencing a severe fainting episode while her husband was away, but finding comfort and strength in God's presence and love. She expresses her unwavering trust in God's faithfulness and His promise of salvation, urging others to also put their trust in Him. Bradstreet's poem reflects her gratitude for God's goodness and power, contrasting it with the emptiness of worldly pursuits and false gods, emphasizing the eternal life found in Jesus Christ.
Text
I had a sore fit of fainting, which lasted 2 or 3 days, but not in that extremity which at first it took me, and so much the sorer it was to me because my dear husband was from home (who is my chiefest comforter on earth) but my God, who never failed me, was not absent but helped me and graciously manifested His love to me, which I dare not pass by without remembrance, that it may be a support to me when I shall have occasion to read this hereafter and to others that shall read it when I shall possess that I now hope for, that so they may be encouraged to trust in Him who is the only portion of His servants. O Lord, let me never forget Thy goodness, nor question Thy faithfulness to me, for Thou art my God, Thou hast said, and shall not I believe it? Thou hast given me a pledge of that inheritance Thou hast promised to bestow upon me. O never let Satan prevail against me, but strengthen my faith in Thee till I shall attain the end of my hopes, even the salvation of my soul. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
What God is like to Him I serve?
What Saviour like to mine?
O never let me from Thee swerve,
For truly I am Thine.
My thankful mouth shall speak Thy praise,
My tongue shall talk of Thee;
On high my heart O do Thou raise
For what Thou'st done for me.
Go worldlings to your vanities,
And heathen to your gods;
Let them help in adversities
And sanctify their rods;
My God He is not like to yours
Yourselves shall judges be;
I find His love, I know His power--
A succorer of me
He is not man that He should lie,
Nor son of man to unsay;
His word He plighted hath on high,
And I shall live for aye.
And for His sake that faithful is,
That died but now doth live,
The first and last that lives for aye,
Me lasting life shall give.
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Faithfulness and Love
- A. God's presence in times of need
- B. God's promise of salvation
- C. God's pledge of inheritance
- II. The Difference Between God and Other Gods
- A. God's power and love
- B. The futility of other gods
- C. The reliability of God's word
- III. The Sufficiency of God's Word
- A. God's word is a pledge of salvation
- B. God's word is a promise of life
- C. God's word is a source of strength
Key Quotes
“O Lord, let me never forget Thy goodness, nor question Thy faithfulness to me, for Thou art my God, Thou hast said, and shall not I believe it?” — Anne Bradstreet
“My God He is not like to yours Yourselves shall judges be;” — Anne Bradstreet
“He is not man that He should lie, Nor son of man to unsay; His word He plighted hath on high, And I shall live for aye.” — Anne Bradstreet
Application Points
- We should trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, and rely on His word as a source of strength and comfort.
- We should remember God's past blessings and promises, and hold onto them as a source of encouragement.
- We should seek to find lasting life and salvation through faith in God's word and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.