Come to the throne of grace.

Posted : 23 Sep, 2013 02:22 AM

Psalm 119:173 Let Your hand help me: for I have chosen Your precepts.





David, having engaged himself to a bold profession of his

God, now comes to seek His needful supply of help. Let Your

hand help me. And if we may "come to the throne of grace,"

that we may find "grace to help in time of need," when should

we not come? For is not every moment a "time of need," such as may quicken us to flee to the "strong tower," where "the

righteous runs, and is safe?" Besieged without; betrayed

within; "wrestling against flesh and blood," and yet "not

against flesh and blood" only: disputing every inch of ground,

yet often discouraged by the little ground we seem to gain;

surely we need all the help of Omnipotence to sustain us in

the tremendous conflict. We may plead our choice of His

precepts, in looking for His help. David had before "taken the

testimonies of God as his heritage"-including all the precious

promises of the Gospel, extending to every necessity of time,

and to every prospect of eternity. He now confesses his

obligation, in choosing the precepts-a happy choice, the

influence of the Spirit upon his heart.

This choice is the distinctive mark of the Lord's people-the

exercise of a well-instructed and deliberate judgment; prompt

obedience in the simplicity of faith. It is the choice of all the

precepts-no other than the voluntary acknowledgment of our

Baptismal obligations. Many carnal suggestions offer

themselves the moment that the purpose is forming into the

choice. "The things that were gain to us," and which now must

be "counted loss for Christ," (should we allow their weight in

the balance at this crisis) will bring much hesitation and

perplexity. Conferences "with flesh and blood" are most subtle

hindrances to Christian determination. 'What will the world

say? If I go too far, I shall give offence; I shall lose all my

influence, and blast all my prospects of eventual benefit to

those around me.' The apprehension also of losing the

affection and of incurring the displeasure of those whom my

heart holds dear, is most fearful. And then this sacrifice is too

costly to make; that pleasure too hard to resign. Such

thoughts-the injections of the tempter-are ever at the door;

and even when effectual resistance is offered, the struggle is

most severe. But it is such a mighty help in this conflict, when

one desire has taken sole possession of the heart-"Lord, what

will You have me to do?"- when we are so crucified to worldly influence, whether of pleasure, profit, fear, or esteem, as to be

ready to act upon the resolution-"Wherefore henceforth know

we no man after the flesh." Now the heavenly beauty of the

religion of the gospel breaks in upon us.

Experience of our own weakness, and of the great power of

the world, is gradually preparing us for victory over it. We shall

then most specially find our happiness in losing our own will;

and our Master's cross will be a delightful burden; like wings

to a bird, or sails to a ship; assisting, instead of retarding, our

course. The more we trust to His help and guidance in

everything, the more we shall be able to do, and the more

delightful will His service be to us.

The lack of a determined choice is the secret of the halting

profession that prevails among us. A compromise is

attempted with the world. "The offence of the cross" begins to

"cease." A middle path of serious religion is marked out,

divested of what is called needless offensiveness. But the

religion that pleases the world will never be acceptable with

God; nor can the religion that pleases God, be ever

accommodated to the inclination of the world. Oh! we shall do

well to consider, whether the way of the Lord's precepts may

not be found too hard, too strait, too unfrequented; whether

we are prepared to brave the pointed finger and whispered

scoff of the ungodly, and perhaps the mistaken opposition of

beloved friends. Often has the profession of Christ been

hastily taken up and relinquished. He who wishes to abide by

it, must daily learn this lesson-"Without Me you can do

nothing:" and in conscious helplessness, he will often breathe

the cry-Let Your hand help me.

Nor is this petition needful only in the first determination of this

choice. In the growing and more decided conviction of its

superior happiness, and in the daily endeavor to live in it, we

shall find increasing need for the same acknowledgment of helplessness, and the same cry for support. Dependence is a

principle of deep humility and mighty energy. The thought that

we are entering upon the work in the Lord's strength is a great

stay. Blessed indeed is that helplessness, that makes us lie in

the bosom of our Savior, supported and cherished! Blessed

be God for the "help laid" for us "upon one that is mighty;" so

that our insufficiency and all-sufficiency are visible at one

glance: and "when we are" most "weak, then are we" most

"strong!" "Those who war against you shall be as nothing, and

as a thing of nothing. For I the Lord your God will hold your

right hand, saying unto you, Fear not, I will help you."



by

Charles Bridges

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