His truth endureth.
Test this declaration.
I. AS TO WHAT GOD HIMSELF IS. He is ever true. None of the miserable motives which lead men to be untrue can have any power with him. Examine all his works, whether in nature, providence, or grace, and in all it will be found that he acts consistently with himself.
II. AS TO HIS WORD OF TRUTH. That is contained in the Holy Scriptures, and whether we appeal to the testimony of conscience, or to that of history, their witness agrees to and affirms the declaration of our text.
III. AS TO HIS FAITHFULNESS. The onus probandi lies on those who deny this. Where can it be shown that one of his promises, when rightly understood, has ever failed? What thing hath he spoken that hath not come to pass? Trace the records of the Bible, and they form a great cloud of witnesses to this truth. Trace the course of providence, and its varied events all show that his truth endureth. Trace the experience of God's people, and it is the same. Let the following quotation illustrate: "Now instead of taking you back to ancient or modern history, I would like to take you to the history of your mother or of your grandmother. I think of my dear grandfather, and of what he used to say to me. If he were here tonight—I am glad he is not, because he is in heaven, and that is a much better place for him; but if he could come from heaven, and could talk as he used to do when he was here on earth, he would say, 'Ah, my boy, I did find him a faithful God.' He had a large family and a small income, but he loved his Lord, and he would not have given up his preaching of the gospel for anything, not even for an imperial crown. He has told me often how the Lord provided for him. He had a little farm to get his living upon it, and he had a cow which used to give milk for his many children, and one day when he came up to the cow it fell back with the staggers, and died. Grandmother said, 'James, how will God provide for the dear children now? What shall we do for milk?' 'Mother,' said he, 'God said he would provide, and I believe he could send us fifty cows if he pleased.' It so happened that on that day a number of gentlemen were meeting in London—persons whom he did not know—were sitting as a committee for the distribution of money to poor ministers, and they had given it to all who had asked for it. My grandfather had never asked for any; he liked to earn his own money. He did not send any petition or appeal. Well, after the gentlemen had distributed to all who had asked there were five pounds over, and they were considering what they should do with this balance. 'Well,' said one, 'there is a Mr. Spurgeon, down at Stambourne, in Essex, a poor minister; he stands in need of five pounds.' 'Oh,' said another, 'don't send him five pounds: I will put five to it; I know him; he is a worthy man.' 'No,' said another, 'don't send him ten pounds; I will give another five pounds, if some one else will put a fourth five to it.' The next morning came a letter with ninepence to pay. Grandmother did not like to pay ninepence for it; but there was twenty pounds in it, and as my grandfather opened it, he said, 'Now can't you trust God about an old cow?' These things I tell you, and you smile, and well you may; but, oh, my soul laughs, and my face laughs on both sides when I think how faithful God has been to me. He has never lied unto me, or failed me, or forsaken me; but has kept his word to this moment in every respect" (Spurgeon). But such experience as this the whole army of the saints of God can furnish instances of. It is no solitary example.
IV. THEREFORE BELIEVE FOR ALL THE FUTURE. Go forward with a cheerful courage, thou child of God, fully persuaded of what all the past of all the people of God abundantly proves, that his truth shall endure, and that he "will never leave thee nor forsake thee."—S.C.
HOMILIES BY R. TUCK