INFIRMITIES & THE GRAND DELIVERER CHRIST JESUS

 

"And I said, This is my infirmity." —Psalm 77:10 [KJV]

While in the body, we are in such an imperfect state, as to be liable to various exercises of mind, through indwelling corruptions, and the suggestions of Satan. Saints in all ages have experienced fluctuating frames. Like mariners on a tempestuous sea, at one time, they seem to mount up to heaven, in comfort and joy; at another, they sink down, in apprehension, to the depths of hell; then, like persons at their wit's end, they express themselves, in a very unreasonable manner. 

Doubt and uncertainty take place of knowledge and truth: unbelief seems to prevail against faith; and they are ready to call all in question: not only, past sweet experiences of God's love to their souls, but the very existence of God's promises, faithfulness, and truth. And they write with the pen of inspiration (though not of the Spirit of truth, but of a lying spirit) many false and bitter things against themselves. "Woe is me, I am undone," saith Isaiah. "Woe is me," saith Jeremiah. "Without were fightings, within were fears," say the apostles. "I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul," saith David. And in this psalm, hope seems to be, as it were, giving up the ghost, and with languid, faint accents breathes, "Will the Lord cast off for ever? will He be favorable no more? is His mercy clean gone for ever? doth His promise fail for evermore? hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath He, in anger, shut up His tender mercies?" So that you see, O tossed, tempted, tried believer, this is the way saints in all ages have gone to glory. Thou hast thy lot with them now; soon thou also shalt be where they are. But O what a gloomy prospect, what soul-distressing views, must that poor sinner have, who lives upon his frames, whose hope springs from his own faithfulness, or trusts to the exercise of his own grace, instead of the God of all grace, the blessed Jesus, "Who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever!" 

How comforting! how heart-reviving to know that the Lord, "Who sent redemption unto His people, will ever be mindful of His covenant, which standeth fast for ever!"—Psalm 111:9. Therefore the Holy Spirit stands engaged, in covenant-contract, to execute His office, as the Comforter. When He is pleased to revive the soul with the views of Jesus, His glorious work, and finished salvation, Satan skulks away, like a mean, abashed liar: the believer returns to his right mind, takes shame to himself, and says, That I should ever doubt of Thy love, call in question Thy truth, and suspect Thy faithfulness: O my God, this is my infirmity!

"Hence from my soul sad thoughts be gone, 

And leave me to my joys; 

My tongue shall triumph in my God; 

Christ pleads His righteous cause.

Darkness and doubt had veil'd my mind, 

And drown'd my eyes in tears, 

Till sov'reign grace with shining rays 

Dispell'd my gloomy fears.

In vain the tempter frights my soul, 

And breaks my peace again; 

One glimpse, dear Saviour, of Thy face 

Revives my joys again."

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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