November 19

I have laid help upon one that is mighty. - Psalms 89:19.

WE observe, First, That He on whom our help is laid is equal to the engagement. Many a one has been appointed to an office the duties of which he has been inadequate to fulfil. The enterprise has thereby failed; and if the man has not involved himself in ruin, he has not escaped reflection and reproach; for there is nothing that disgraces a man more than incompetency in this respect; when the work is voluntary, and he has engaged in it without accomplishing the same, “all that pass by begin to mock, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”

Observe, Secondly, That God’s appointment of a person to a work is a pledge of its final accomplishment. God said to Gideon, “Go in this thy might.” What might? His own? He was threshing in a barn. No; but, Go in the might with which I have invested thee, and thou shalt be adequate to the work to which I have called thee and send thee to accomplish. So said God of Cyrus, “He is my anointed. I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates.” His appointment was a proof that he should succeed. So it is in the highest degree with our Lord and Saviour. But this does not go far enough.

The Saviour’s ability to save is not relative only, but personal. He has “the Spirit without measure.” He is not only human, but divine. “All things were made by him, and he upholdeth all things.” Well therefore may it be said of him that he is “mighty to save.” His is the power of God, and this gives infinite value to his mediation; hence was he able to procure eternal salvation for us. “He trod the wine-press alone.” “By his one offering up of himself he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” He said, when he died, “It is finished,” and it was finished forever. He is able to save, moreover, seeing the whole dispensation of the Spirit is lodged in his hands and administered at his pleasure.

So it is said in the Acts of the Apostles, after a notable display of the Holy Spirit’s influence, “Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the gift of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear.” All the miracles were performed in his name. All the operations of divine grace are through him. Hence be says, “This people have I formed for myself.” We may well, therefore, say, with the Psalmist, “Thou hast a mighty arm; strong is thine hand, and high is thy right hand.” Thou art “mighty to save,”- “able to save to the uttermost.” We should remember this with regard to others, and never despair of the conversion of any. And we should remember this with regard to ourselves. Are our sins great and numerous? He can save even the chief of sinners.

“This powerful blood did once atone,

And now it pleads before the throne.”

“The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.” He can, by his influences, so mighty is he, penetrate the darkest understanding and enlighten it. He can subdue the most rebellious. He can take away the stony heart and give us out of our flesh a heart of flesh.