The Lord Will Not Forsake His People
F.B. Meyer emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to His people and the assurance of His promises amidst our weaknesses.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes that God's unwavering commitment to His people is rooted in His character and great Name. He argues that God's decision to save us was made with full knowledge of our weaknesses and needs, ensuring that He would not abandon us despite our frailty. Meyer reassures believers that God's promises, such as His assurance to never leave or forsake us, stand firm, reflecting His omniscience and omnipotence. The sermon encourages us to find comfort in God's faithfulness, as He has counted the cost and remains steadfast in His purpose for us. Ultimately, God's loyalty to His people is a testament to His glory and love.
Text
The Lord will not forsake his people
for his great Name's sake. 1 Sam. xii. 22.
THE certainty of our salvation rests on the character of God. Moses, years before, had pleaded that God could not afford to destroy or forsake Israel, lest the Egyptians and others should have some ground for saying that He was not able to carry out his purpose, or that He was fickle and changeable. "What wilt Thou do for thy great Name?" Samuel uses the same argument. We also may avail ourselves of it for our great comfort.
God knew what we should be ‑‑ how weak and frail and changeful ‑‑ before He arrested us and brought us to Himself. Speaking after the manner of men, we might say He counted the cost. He computed whether his resources were sufficient to secure us from our foes, keep us from falling, and present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. He foreknew how much forbearance, pity, consolation, and tenderness, we should require. And yet it pleased Him to make us his people. He cannot, therefore, now run back from his purpose; otherwise it would seem that difficulties had arisen which either He had not anticipated, or was not so well able to combat as He had thought. What an absurd suggestion! In the former case there would be a slur on his omniscience; on the other, upon his omnipotence.
"What if God should cast you into hell?" was asked of an old Scotchwoman.
'Well," she answered, "If He do, all I can say is, He will lose mair than I will."
The gracious promise given to Joshua may be appropriated by every trembling saint of God: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." To the poor and needy He says, "I the God of Israel will not forsake them."
Sermon Outline
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I
- The certainty of salvation rests on God's character.
- Moses' plea for Israel's preservation.
- The implications of God's promises.
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II
- God's foreknowledge of our weaknesses.
- The cost of our salvation considered by God.
- God's resources to sustain us.
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III
- God's commitment to His people.
- The absurdity of doubting God's omniscience and omnipotence.
- The promise of God's presence.
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IV
- The assurance of God's faithfulness.
- The comfort of God's unchanging nature.
- The application of God's promises in our lives.
Key Quotes
“The certainty of our salvation rests on the character of God.” — F.B. Meyer
“He cannot, therefore, now run back from his purpose; otherwise it would seem that difficulties had arisen.” — F.B. Meyer
“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Trust in God's promises during challenging times for comfort and strength.
- Reflect on God's character to deepen your faith and assurance of salvation.
- Share the message of God's faithfulness with others who may be struggling.