Great Encouragement in CHRIST JESUS ~ 04 March, 2024 A.D.

"The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity." -Psalm 125:3 [KJV]

How shall we draw the line between the righteous and the wicked? How shall we distinguish them, seeing they are both alike the subjects of a wicked nature, derived from Adam the sinner, their father? The Holy Ghost does this. He sets a mark upon the righteous, by which they are essentially distinguished from the wicked, in the first verse of this Psalm: “They trust in the Lord.” The wicked trust in themselves, that they are righteous; trust in their own power, to make and keep themselves so; and hope for God’s favour and heaven, because they are so. They trust in their own wisdom to guide them through life, and to their own goodness to make them happy in death. 

The righteous are stript of their righteousness: they are convinced of sin: they are poor, hopeless, desperate, and in a forlorn and wretched condition as to themselves. (Do you see somewhat of your own picture here?) They trust in the Lord Jesus, for righteousness to justify and entitle them to heaven, to cleanse them from sin; for wisdom, to guide; power to support; grace, to sanctify: and love, to bring them to glory. 

Now, these two sorts of persons are back to back; the face of one is towards heaven; the other, towards hell. They are of two seeds; there is enmity put between them. The wicked have always a rod for the back of the righteous. Ay! and they would lay it on with both hands, and always keep it upon their backs too. Though, for wise and gracious ends, the Lord permits this for a season; yet He will not suffer it to rest there long. 

Wicked Saul was a scourge to righteous David; so was blaspheming Sennacherib to good Hezekiah: and says the church, “Thou caused men to ride over our heads” (Psalm 66:12.) Yet David came to the throne; Hezekiah and his people were unhurt by the Assyrians: and the church says, “We went through fire and water, but thou broughtest us into a wealthy place.” Here is a reason why our Lord will not suffer the rod of the wicked to rest on the righteous: “Lest he put forth his hand unto iniquity.” 

We never suffer judgment, but mercy is in it. Our troubles are dealt to us by the hand of love: mercy is mixed with them all. The Lord knows the righteous is but frail: He remembers he is but dust, and liable to sin: He is wise to prevent this. When oppression and trials from the wicked bring us low, and make us cry to the Lord, then we honour His grace and His power, His truth and His love, by the *affiance of our heart. “He will fulfil the desire of them who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them” (Psalm 145:9.)

William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

 

*AFFI'ANCE, noun [Latin fido, fides.]

1. The marriage contract or promise; faith pledged.

2. Trust in general; confidence; reliance.

The Christian looks to God with implicit affiance

AFFI'ANCE, verb transitive

1. To betroth; to pledge one's faith or fidelity in marriage, or to promise marriage.

To me, sad maid, he was affianced.

2. To give confidence

Affianced in my faith.

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