"It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118 : 8
Doubtless the reader has been tried with the
temptation to rely upon the things which are seen,
instead of resting alone upon the invisible God.
Christians often look to man for help and
counsel, and mar the noble simplicity of their
reliance upon their God. Does this evening's
portion meet the eye of a child of God anxious
about temporals, then would we reason with him awhile. You trust in
Jesus, and only in Jesus, for your salvation, then why are you
troubled? "Because of my great care." Is it not written, "Cast thy
burden upon the Lord"? "Be careful for nothing, but in everything
by prayer and supplication make known your wants unto God."
Cannot you trust God for temporals? "Ah! I wish I could." If you
cannot trust God for temporals, how dare you trust him for
spirituals? Can you trust him for your soul's redemption, and not rely
upon him for a few lesser mercies? Is not God enough for thy need,
or is his all-sufficiency too narrow for thy wants? Dost thou want
another eye beside that of him who sees every secret thing? Is his
heart faint? Is his arm weary? If so, seek another God; but if he be
infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise, why gaddest thou
abroad so much to seek another confidence? Why dost thou rake the
earth to find another foundation, when this is strong enough to bear
all the weight which thou canst ever build thereon? Christian, mix
not only thy wine with water, do not alloy thy gold of faith with the
dross of human confidence. Wait thou only upon God, and let thine
expectation be from him. Covet not Jonah's gourd, but rest in
Jonah's God. Let the sandy foundations of terrestrial trust be the
choice of fools, but do thou, like one who foresees the storm, build
for thyself an abiding place upon the Rock of Ages.
