Reasons in man for the Divine favour.
"Because he hath set his love upon me." This verse begins what may be regarded as a poetical setting of the answer which God gives to the fully trusting soul. "God himself comes forward to establish the faith of his servant, writes deeper in the soul so great a consolation, and confirms the testimony of his servant. 'He hath set his love upon me; he knoweth my name; he calleth upon me.' These are the marks of a true servant of God." It has been noticed that the words, "I will," are repeated six times in the last three verses of this psalm: "I will deliver;" "I will set him on high;" "I will answer;" "I will be with him in trouble;" "With long life I will satisfy him;" "I will show him my salvation."
I. THE POSSIBILITIES OF OUR FEELING TOWARD GOD. We may feel toward God all we can feel towards our fellow men—faith, admiration, devotion, etc. We may even go so far as to "set our love upon him"—make him to be our chosen one, our specially loved one. What we do to help ourselves, in the effort to "set our love" on our fellow men, we may do to help in setting our love on God. Such things as
II. THE RESPONSE GOD MAKES TO MEN'S RIGHT FEELING TOWARDS HIM. This response is found indicated in the assurances of this passage.
1. He gives to them an answering affection.
2. He guards them with an ever-watchful defence.
3. He accomplishes for them mighty deliverances.
4. He grants them gracious exaltations.
The Divine favour comes on men because:
1. They make him their choice.
2. Because they seek intimacy with him (implied in "knowing his Name").
3. Because they are ever making signs of their dependence on him. The signs being their daily and their special prayers.—R.T.
God's presence in time of trouble.
"I will be with him in trouble." Illustrate by presence of a friend in the time of sickness and distress. That friend may be unable to help, and yet the best of help comes from that friendly presence. If God is with us in trouble, we are sure he can help and deliver. If he does not, it can only be because he is doing kinder things for us, by letting the trouble stay. The strain of feeling alone in time of trouble may be illustrated by a lonely walk through a strange and dangerous country. "Have you ever walked on, mile after mile, until it grew very dark, and there were no stars overhead, and no friendly voice or guide anywhere; and, as you grew very tired and faint and footsore, did it not seem as if the way became more rough and stony at every step? You can remember each time you stumbled in the weary darkness against a stone, how the pain seemed to shoot hotly through every nerve; and the lack of light, and the uncertainty lest each step might bear you over the precipice,—all this unnerved you. But how different if a loved friend had been with you! and especially if it so happened that he knew the road and the country well!" God's presence is the summum bonum. All we can need is included and involved in it. He really need not tell us what he will do for us; it is enough if he will be there. And so the Lord Jesus wrapped up everything for his disciples in this one assurance, "Lo, I am with you all the days."
I. GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US MEANS THE BEST POSSIBLE LIMITATION OF OUR TROUBLE.
II. GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US MEANS ABUNDANT COMFORTING UNDER OUR TROUBLE.
III. GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US MEANS THE FULFILMENT OF THE MISSION OF OUR TROUBLE.
IV. GOD'S PRESENCE WITH US ASSURES OF A "HAPPY ISSUE OUT OF ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS."
God with us in trouble is the fact; but everything for us depends on our sensible realization of the fact.—R.T.
HOMILIES BY C. SHORT
The security of the saints.
I. THE DWELLING PLACE OF THE GOOD MAN—GOD. In such an abode we find:
1. Shelter, protection. (John 14:23.)
2. Nutriment.
3. Rest.
4. Companionship.
II. THE SAFETY OF THIS ABODE.
1. Omnipotent love encompasses him.
2. The power of the good man to convert all things to his welfare. "All things are yours."
III. THE GUARDS AND SERVANTS OF THE GOOD MAN. The angels are God's messengers and ministers.
1. God employs innumerable invisible ministries to serve us. Angels and unseen powers "that walk the earth both when we wake and when we sleep."
2. Innumerable visible ministries. "More servants wait on man than he'll take notice of" (see George Herbert's poem).—S.
The reward of trust in God.
"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my Name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."
I. WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THAT GOD VALUES MOST IN CHARACTER?
1. The knowledge of his Name; i.e. of his nature and character, now revealed to us more fully than then, in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.
2. The setting our love upon him. Because he is what he is, and because our love is the surest pledge of obedience to his will.
3. Dependence upon God. Expressed by the habit of prayer—calling upon him.
II. IN WHAT WAY GOD HONOURS AND REWARDS THOSE QUALITIES,
1. He will deliver him in trouble. By giving him strength superior to all his trials. We cannot escape trouble, but we can conquer it by the aid of the Spirit of God.
2. He will exalt him to the possession of high honours. Give him a position of great security—high above all danger. And of great influence and usefulness. This is high honour.
3. He will answer his prayers. In the only ways in which a supremely good and wise Being will answer the prayers of the erring and sinful—by giving them what they need, and not always what they ask for.—S.
Psalms 90
Psalms
Psalms 92
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