He Constantly Abides
God's abiding presence with His people is based on His great name and His steadfast love, which will never change.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that God's unwavering commitment to His people is rooted in His choice and love for them, as stated in 1 Samuel 12:22. He explains that God's election is not only the foundation of His love but also a reflection of His unchanging nature, which cannot be tarnished by forsaking His chosen ones. Spurgeon reassures believers that God's past acts of lovingkindness guarantee His continued presence and support, as He has invested too much in their salvation to abandon them. The sacrifice of Jesus serves as a powerful reminder that God will not forsake those for whom He has shed His blood. Ultimately, God's love is steadfast and eternal, ensuring that He will bless His people continually.
Text
For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. (1 Samuel 12:22)
God's choice of His people is the reason for His abiding by them and not forsaking them. He chose them for His love, and He loves them for His choice. His own good pleasure is the source of their election, and His election is the reason for the continuance of His pleasure in them. It would dishonor His great name for Him to forsake them, since it would either show that He made an error in His choice or that He was fickle in His love. God's love has this glory, that it never changes, and this glory He will never tarnish.
By all the memories of the Lord's former lovingkindnesses let us rest assured that He will not forsake us.
He who has gone so far as to make us His people will not undo the creation of His grace. He has not wrought such wonders for us that He might leave us after all. His Son Jesus has died for us, and we may be sure that He has not died in vain. Can He forsake those for whom He shed His blood? Because He has hitherto taken pleasure in choosing and in saving us, it will be His pleasure still to bless us. Our Lord Jesus is no changeable lover. Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.
Sermon Outline
- God's Abiding Presence
- The Reason for God's Abiding
- The Consequences of God's Abiding
- It would dishonor God's name to forsake His people
- God's love is steadfast and unchanging
Key Quotes
“God's love has this glory, that it never changes, and this glory He will never tarnish.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We can trust God's love because it is steadfast and unchanging.
- God's election of us is the reason for His pleasure in us, and He will continue to bless us because of that choice.
- We should rest assured that God will not forsake us because He has demonstrated His love through the death of His Son Jesus.