36 Preservation Sought

Preservation Sought

"You have delivered my soul from death. Will not You deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" Psalms 56:13 The realization of danger calls to reflection, and reflection often leads to renewed exercises of faith, and fresh applications to the Lord’s throne of grace. David never felt so deeply, prayed so fervently, or wrote so profitably — as when he was in danger. Danger is the forerunner of deliverance — it comes to show us our need of God, to stir us up to apply to God, and to call into exercise the delivering hand of God. Past deliverances prompt us to apply for fresh manifestations of mercy; and the more we receive from God, the more we are encouraged to ask of Him, and expect from Him. He who has delivered — does deliver. In the text we have,

First, a grateful acknowledgment. "You have delivered my soul from death." God had delivered his body from natural death, and his soul from spiritual and eternal death. We were once all dead in sin. We would all have been dead in sin at this moment — if God had not of His rich grace "quickened us together with Christ." To be dead in sin — is the very worst state we can be in, and the most dangerous. While in it — we are satisfied with it, and never seek deliverance from it. The first feeling of danger, the first desire of deliverance, the first cry for mercy — is of the Lord. In religion, God always begins first. He quickens us — or we should never feel. He works in us — or we should never fear His wrath, nor seek for His mercy.

"You have delivered my soul from death." The delivering agent — is the Holy Spirit. He is the sole Author of all spiritual life. The season of deliverance — is the time of our conversion to God; when we turn from all our idols, to seek the living and true God. The evidences of our deliverance are:
prayer, which is the breath of the new-born soul, the putting forth of the life of God in the soul of man;
godly sorrow, or grief of heart for sin, that we have grieved God, and been the cause of the death of the Son of God;
faith, or simple trust in the Word and work of Jesus, for access to God, and acceptance with God;
a desire to be kept from falling — into sin, from falling so as to dishonor God, and disgrace religion.

Wherever these evidences are found, however weak or imperfect they may be — there is the life of God; there is the work of the Holy Spirit; and there is the warrant to say, "You have delivered my soul from death!"

Secondly, a pathetic appeal. "Will not You deliver my feet from falling?" Spiritual blessings are always connected. Like the links in a chain — the one draws the other after it. Having one, we feel we need more, we desire more, we seek more — and then we receive more. He who thinks he has grace enough — has none. He who feels his heart set upon obtaining spiritual blessings, has at least one spiritual blessing; and that one the most important, for he has LIFE — spiritual life; as it is only spiritual life — which thirsts, pants, and prays for spiritual blessings.

"But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold!" Psalms 73:2. The Christian is always on dangerous ground!

We may fall into sin — even when we cannot fall into Hell.

We may break our bones — when we cannot break our neck.

We may make sad work for repentance — when we do not incur a sentence of final condemnation.

We are liable to fall by error — which is specious and powerful.

We are liable to fall by Satan — who is crafty and malicious.

We are liable to fall by our weakness — which is great and often appears increasing.

We are liable to fall by sinful pleasures — in which the flesh takes delight.

We are liable to fall by our unhallowed tempers — which need constant watchfulness and incessant prayer.

We are liable to fall by erroneous people — who may, like Satan, lie in wait to deceive us.

We therefore need keeping — constant keeping, divine keeping; and this made David cry, "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Your wing!" "Hold me up — and I shall be safe!" Psalms 119:117 Our path is often slippery — and we are apt to be incautious. But it is our unspeakable mercy, that God has promised to keep us. "He keeps the feet of His saints." But He will have us feel our need of his keeping, make us willing to be kept by Him, and plead with Him to keep us. Hence the text, "Will not You keep my feet from falling?" You have given me life, hitherto preserved that life, made great and precious promises — will You not keep me? Your mercy is tender; your precepts require of me; I heartily desire to be kept; you know my foolishness, weakness, and inexperience; will you not keep my feet from falling? — Blessed spirit of prayer this! Sweet sense of weakness this! May we ever possess the one — and experience the other.

Thirdly, a holy design. "That I may walk before the Lord, in the light of the living." I wish to make progress; I would not lie down, sit, or stand still; I wish to walk on. To make progress in holiness — is the mark at which I aim. To make progress in usefulness — is the end for which I wish to live. To make progress in happiness — will adorn my profession, and bring honor to God.

I would walk before the Lord, as a loving child before a loving father; as under his eye — courting inspection; as within his hearing — wishing all to be seen. I would be impressed with such a sense of God’s presence — as will produce caution, circumspection, and daily watchfulness.

"In the land of the living." That is, among those who are alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord; among those who live to God, and live for God. I would walk before them, so as to convince them of my sincerity; with them, so as to improve, or improve by them. So as to do good or get good continually.

"In the light." Not courting obscurity, or concealment; but acting so strictly in accordance with my profession, as neither to be afraid nor ashamed to be seen by any of the saints. This posture is safe — a Father’s watchful eye resting upon us; it is wise — for it preserves from in numerable evils; and it is honorable — standing like Solomon’s servants, always in the presence of the King.

Beloved, are you quickened? Can you say, "I was dead — but God has raised me from the dead; I was blind — but He has given me sight; I was an alien — but his grace has made me a child?" Are you concerned to be divinely kept? Do you fear danger, tremble at sin, and daily cry out, "Hold me up — and I shall be safe?" Is it your object to walk before God, as your observer; with God, as your father; and after God, as your example?

These are the best proofs of Christianity, far better than priding oneself in a sound creed; trusting to mere professions; or relying on religious ceremonies. A sound creed is exceedingly valuable, if it is adorned with a holy life! Doctrines that lead us to hate sin, loathe self, prize the Savior, and cleave to the Lord — are of the greatest importance! The ceremonies that Christ himself has instituted, are of great use — if they are not misplaced, or idolized. May we have grace to use — but not abuse, God’s truth, or God’s ordinances; that we may bring glory to his most holy and ever-blessed name.