Blessed be God for the revelation of His gospel, which proclaims the blood of Jesus-sprinkling the conscience- silencing its charges-and setting before the sinner the way of peace!

Posted : 6 Jul, 2013 06:34 AM

Psalm 119:121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to my oppressors.



122. Be surety for Your servant for good: let not the

proud oppress me.



There is something very solemn in the reflection, that God has

set up a Viceregent in the heart-an internal Judge, who takes

cognizance of every thought, every emotion, every act determining its character, and pronouncing its sentence. This

tribunal tries every cause without respect to persons, time,

place, or any circumstances, that might seem to separate it

from other cases under the same jurisdiction. No criminal can

escape detection from defect of evidence. No earthly power

can hinder the immediate execution of the sentence. The

sentence then, of this awful Judge, whether "accusing or

excusing," is of infinite moment. The ignorant expression-

'Thank God, I have a clear conscience!' is used alike by the

self-righteous and the careless. The awakened sinner,

however, pleads guilty to its accusations, and knows not how

to answer them. Blessed be God for the revelation of His

gospel, which proclaims the blood of Jesus-sprinkling the

conscience- silencing its charges-and setting before the

sinner the way of peace! And now through Jesus, "the new

and living way" of access to God, conscience, sitting on the

throne-speaks peace and acceptance; and though sins of

infirmity will remain, defiling every thought, desire, and act;

yet, like the motes on the face of the sun in the clearest day,

they have little or no influence to obstruct the shining of the

cheerful light upon the heart.

The clearing of conscience is however connected with

Christian integrity. "If our heart condemn us not, then have we

confidence toward God." This "testimony of conscience" has often been "the rejoicing" of the Lord's people, when suffering

under remitted reproach or proud oppression. They have

been enabled to plead it without offence in the presence of

their holy, heart-searching God-no, even when in the near

prospect of the great and final account, they might have been

supposed to shrink from the strict and unerring scrutiny of

their Omniscient Judge.

But observe the influence of this testimony upon our spiritual

comfort. David was at this time under persecution-no new trial

to a child of God and one that will never cease, so long as

Satan has instruments at his command. But see the blessing

which conscious uprightness gave to his prayers: I have done

judgment and justice: leave me not to my oppressors. Can my

heart and conscience respond to this appeal? Then may I

plead my cause before God, Leave me not to my oppressors.

Let not the proud oppress me. Plead my cause with them. Let

my righteousness be made known. Let it be seen, that You

"will not leave me in their hand, nor condemn me when I am

judged. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me: for I wait

on You." But if any deviation from the exact rule of

righteousness between man and man has been allowed-if the

world charge me as ungodly, because they have proved me

unrighteous-then let me not wonder, that "the consolations of

God shall be small with me;" nor let me expect a return of the

Lord's cheering manifestation, until the Achan has been

removed from the camp, and by confession to God, and

reparation to man, I have "given glory to the Lord God of

Israel."

But let not this appeal be thought to savor of Pharisaical pride.

He pleads not merit. He only asserts his innocence-the

righteousness of his cause-not of his person. Though upright

before man, he ever felt himself a sinner before God. The

highest tone of conscious integrity is therefore consistent with

the deepest prostration of evangelical humility. The difference is infinite between the proud Pharisee and the upright

believer. The Pharisee makes the appeal with undisturbed

self-complacency and self-righteous pleading. The believer

would ever accompany it with the Tax-collector's prayer for

mercy. Instantly-in a deep conviction of need,-he appends the

supplication-Be surety for Your servant for good. The keen

eye of the world may possibly not be able to affix any blot

upon my outward profession; but, "if you, Lord, should mark

iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" The debt is continually

accumulating, and the prospect of payment as distant as ever.

I might well expect to be left to my oppressors, until I should

pay all that was due unto my Lord. But behold! "Where is the

fury of the oppressor?" The surety is found-the debt is paid the ransom is accepted-the sinner is free! There was a voice

heard in heaven-"Deliver him from going down to the pit: I

have found a ransom." Yes, the Son of God Himself became

"surety for a stranger," and "smarted for it." At an infinite cost the cost of His own precious blood-He delivered me from my

oppressors-sin-Satan-the world-death-hell. "It was exacted:

and he answered." As Judah in the place of Benjamin, he was

ready to stand in my stead before his Father-"I will be surety

of him: of my hand shall you require him." As Paul in the stead

of Onesimus, he was ready to plead, before the same

tribunal-"If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, put

that on my account; I will repay it."

Let this subject be ever present to my mind. Well indeed was

it for me, that Jesus did not "hate surety ship." Had He refused

the vast undertaking, how could I have answered before the

bar of God? Or had He undertaken only for those who loved

Him, again should I have been left without a plea. But when

as my surety He has brought me under His yoke, and made

me His servant, I can plead with acceptance before His

throne, Be surety for Your servant for good,-for the good,

which You know me to need-my present and eternal

deliverance from my proud oppressors. And do not I need such a surety every moment? And need I be told how fully He

has performed the Surety's part? So that I may boldly say-

"Who is he who condemns? it is Christ that died. It is Christ

that lives. There is therefore now no condemnation to them

that are in Christ Jesus."



by

Charles Bridges

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