THE LORD SHALL SAVE ME

"I will call upon GOD, and the LORD shall save me." -Psalm 55:16 [KJV]

I have often been struck with the conduct of blind Bartimeus. When “Many charged him to hold his peace, he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David have mercy upon me” (Mark 10:48.) Why was this? Truly he had a feeling sense of his loss of sight, and by faith he saw Jesus able to restore it. See the consequence of this importunate cry. Did the sun stand still at the word of Joshua? Behold, at the cry of Bartimeus, the Lord and Creator of all the host of heaven, stood still. 

Jesus knows the cry of His own Spirit. He will hear it, and help the soul who utters it. “His ears are open to our prayers” (I Peter 3:12.) Look, (1st.) At David’s circumstances. Was he now on the mount of joy, basking in the sunbeams of comfort? No, he is sighing out a doleful complaint, in the vale of distress. Says he, “I mourn because of the voice of the enemy, and the oppressions of the wicked. My heart is sore pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling art come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me” (Verse 3, etc.) 

(2d.) What is his resolution? Does he give up his hope in God? Does he flee His presence, and seek for comfort in the world: from its vain pleasures, sensual delights, and from the men of it? No, but says he, “I will call upon God.” Here is a lesson of instruction for us. The more fears, terrors, pains, and oppressions beset us, the more should they excite calls upon God from us. Seek to no object, to be eased from them, but God. 

Remember, not one of them, but is by His appointment or permission. They are calls from God, to call upon Him. When they bring us to God, His loving will is answered. He will not suffer His dear people, to live at a distance from Him, without calling upon Him. He loves their souls. He delights in their prayers. And the “Lord’s comforts delight their souls” (Psalm 94:19.) Can you say so? 

Then (3d.) You may confidently take up David’s conclusion, “The Lord shall save me.” Is not this too bold? Yes, if founded upon any thing in yourself, as the cause, why God should save you, it is daring presumption. But, from the Lord’s absolute declarations, full and free promises given us in Christ, we are divinely warranted thus to conclude. 

O then take and prize the Lord’s word, as your blessed Charter of salvation. Plead it before Him. Expect all salvation from Him: even victory over all sin, deliverance from every trouble, the comfort of holiness here, and the joys of glory in eternity. “All are yours, and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” -I Corinthians 3:23. 

 

How bold is faith to challenge thus, 

A claim upon the Lord: 

O ‘tis because the Lord claims us 

His portion, in His word.

 

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

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