Past Deliverance Begets Faith
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's past deliverances and promises to guide us through present challenges.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that past deliverances from God should strengthen our faith in facing new challenges, as exemplified by David's confidence in the Lord's protection against Goliath. He reminds us that just as God delivered David from the lion and the bear, He will also deliver us from our current struggles. Spurgeon encourages believers to recall God's previous acts of kindness and to trust that He will not abandon us in our time of need. The sermon reassures us that God's faithfulness remains constant, and we should approach our fears with courage, knowing that God is always with us.
Text
David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. (1 Samuel 17:37)
This is not a promise if we consider only the words, but it is truly so as to its sense; for David spoke a word which the Lord endorsed by making it true. He argued from past deliverance's that he should receive help in a new danger. In Jesus all the promises are "Yea" and "Amen" to the glory of God by us, and so the Lord's former dealings with His believing people will be repeated.
Come, then, let us recall the Lord's former lovingkindness. We could not have hoped to be delivered aforetime by our own strength; yet the Lord delivered us. Will He not again save us? We are sure He will.
As David ran to meet his foe, so will we. The Lord has been with us, He is with us, and He has said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," Why do we tremble? Was the past a dream? Think of the dead bear and lion. Who is this Philistine? True, he is not quite the same, and is neither bear nor lion; but then God is the same, and His honor is as much concerned in the one case as in the other. He did not save us from the beasts of the forest to let a giant kill us. Let us be of good courage.
Sermon Outline
- David's Confidence in God's Deliverance
- Recalling the Lord's Former Lovingkindness
- Confronting the Present Danger with Courage
- Recognizing God's presence
- Trusting in God's promise
- Overcoming fear with faith
Key Quotes
“In Jesus all the promises are 'Yea' and 'Amen' to the glory of God by us, and so the Lord's former dealings with His believing people will be repeated.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The Lord has been with us, He is with us, and He has said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,'” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Who is this Philistine? True, he is not quite the same, and is neither bear nor lion; but then God is the same, and His honor is as much concerned in the one case as in the other.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should trust in God's past promises and experiences to guide us through present challenges.
- We should confront new dangers with courage, recognizing God's presence and trusting in His promise to deliver us.
- We should not tremble with fear because God is the same and His honor is as much concerned in our present situation as it was in our past deliverances.