December 13

In me is thine help. - Hosea 13:9.

THOUGH man’s destruction is entirely of himself, his salvation is exclusively of the Lord. “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself,” says God, “but in me is thine help.” First, Help the most gracious in its source. From whence did this scheme arise? Deity could not be constrained to do it; and as to merit, alas! we are not worthy of the least of all his mercies; all our desert was on the other side. Nor has desire had any influence; help was provided before we had any being; and he who made the provision in all its extent has revealed it, and awakened attention to it, and now says, “Come, for all things are ready.” Well, therefore, may the Apostle say, “According to his mercy he saved us,” and “by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Secondly, Help the most wonderful in its procurement. Not only is the agency entirely the Lord’s, but he accomplishes the thing in a way the most peculiar, and so as to induce the Church to exclaim, “It is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” Here is unfolded the manifold wisdom of God; here he has “abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence.” God does not save us by the mere volition of his will or by the exertion of his power. But we see the “Word made flesh and dwelling among us;” we see the Lord of life and glory suffering for sin; we see him who knew no sin made a sin-offering for us, that we “who have no righteousness might be made the righteousness of God in him;” we see him in the manger, in the garden, on the cross, and we hear him exclaim, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Thirdly, Help the most suitable in its supply. Is light adapted to the eye? melody to the ear? food to the taste? so do the blessings of the gospel correspond with all our wants, and woes, and weaknesses. Here is wisdom for the ignorant, pardon for the offending, renovation for the depraved, strength for the weak, riches for the poor, a sun for our darkness, a shield in our danger.

Fourthly, Help the most efficient. He who speaks in righteousness is mighty to save, able to save unto the uttermost. His blood cleanseth from all sin; his righteousness justifies the ungodly; his grace turns the heart of stone to flesh; his power upholds the believer and carries him through all his dangers triumphantly, so that he can say with the Apostle, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day.”

Lastly, Help the most extensive and accessible. In no place in the Scriptures are any excluded from participating in this help, unless they exclude themselves from it. Everywhere the language of Scripture is, “Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely.” “Let him take hold of my strength,” says God; therefore Dr. Watts sings-

“No mortal has a just pretence

To perish in despair.”