Psalms 44:26

REFLECTIONS

READER, how sweet and blessed is it, in all our exercises; to keep in view the faithfulness of a Covenant-God in Christ. By turning back to the proofs of God's faithfulness to his church, in all ages that are past, and by having recourse to the evidences we ourselves have had of the same, we gather strength to our faith, to form proper conclusions for all that is to come. And oh! how very sweet and blessed it is to exercise faith upon the naked promise of a God in Christ, when nothing remains but the promise. When, as this Psalm saith, the soul is broken in the place of dragons, and we are covered with the shadow of death; then to lay hold of God's own words, his own promises in Christ; and to hang upon what God hath said, knowing what God can do, and what he hath promised he will do; thus giving him the credit of a God; because all the way of the Lord is mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies: this is faith in its best and highest exercises. And when the whole is brought home to the heart in Christ, as the Christ of God; these are the blessed triumphs of faith, and make the soul rejoice, even in the deepest affliction; so that we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. Precious Jesus! what everlasting praise must be due to thee, as the author and finisher of our faith, who, through faith, thus enableth thy people to abide by the promises, which in thee are all yea and amen, to the glory of God by us.