He With Us; We With Him
The fear of the Lord and faith in Jesus lead to virtuous habits, holy rest, and a long life, where we can live while we live and use every hour for the highest ends.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord as a means to prolong life, highlighting that virtuous habits fostered by faith can prevent the wastefulness of sin. He notes that a peaceful mind, rooted in confidence in God, contributes to physical well-being, while worry can be detrimental. Spurgeon encourages believers to embrace life with the expectation of longevity, yet also to be prepared for the joy of being with Jesus in death. Ultimately, he calls for living purposefully and using every moment for the highest purposes, whether in life or death.
Text
The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (Proverbs 10:27)
There is no doubt about it. The fear of the Lord leads to virtuous habits, and these prevent that waste of life which comes of sin and vice. The holy rest which springs out of faith in the Lord Jesus also greatly helps a man when he is ill. Every physician rejoices to have a patient whose mind is fully at ease. Worry kills, but confidence in God is like healing medicine.
We have therefore all the arrangements for long life, and if it be really for our good, we shall see a good old age and come to our graves as shocks of corn in their season. Let us not be overcome with sudden expectation of death the moment we have a finger-ache, but let us rather expect that we may have to work on through a considerable length of days.
And what if we should soon be called to the higher sphere? Certainly there would be nothing to deplore in such a summons but everything to rejoice in. Living or dying we are the Lord's. If we live, Jesus will be with us; if we die, we shall be with Jesus.
The truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no time but using every hour for the highest ends. So be it this day.
Sermon Outline
- The Fear of the Lord and Long Life
- The Holy Rest of Faith
- Expecting a Long Life
- The Truest Lengthening of Life
- Living while we live is the truest lengthening of life
- We should use every hour for the highest ends
Key Quotes
“The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Worry kills, but confidence in God is like healing medicine.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Living or dying we are the Lord's.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should strive to live a life of virtuous habits to prevent waste of life due to sin and vice.
- We should cultivate faith in the Lord Jesus to bring holy rest and help us when we are ill.
- We should expect to live a long life and use every hour for the highest ends.