III. Consider the mercy which preserves from fainting.

The trials which attend those who are employed in the ministry are so connected with this mercy, that we could not well speak of the one without intermixing somewhat concerning the other. They never rightly applied themselves to the Lord's service who see not a peculiar need of mercy, that they may be faithful in it. The idle servant neglects his master's work; in vain do you tell him of the aid he needs: he who encounters no danger, knows nothing of distress. The unfaithful servant provides as he thinks for himself. He relies on his own wisdom and foresight and takes the side he esteems most safe, or most honorable, or most agreeable to his own selfish designs. His resources are from within himself, or from worldly policy, or from the friendship of men, or from the hope of acquiring fame; but he who has any just apprehensions of the greatness of the Lord whom he serves, of the importance of the work to which he is called, and of his own insufficiency, would sink under the burden, if mercy did not uphold him.

As to this part of the subject, the following remarks may be added.

1. Faithful ministers of the gospel have often found it a comfortable truth, that the way of the Lord is strength to the upright. Going forward in it, wisdom, courage and readiness of mind to the service of Christ have been increased to them: while the outward man has been wasted by labor and care, the inward man has been renewed day by day. The hand of the diligent in this heavenly work maketh rich. It may often be seen, that talents are doubled to those who lay them out for God, while they are taken away from the slothful. They who run, wax stronger and stronger, and they who linger, faint in the way. They who in this warfare flee from the enemy are trodden under feet, and they who relying on the Lord set their face against the artillery of hell, out of weakness are made strong, wax valiant in fight, and turn to flight the armies which sought to destroy them: They are indeed weak in themselves, but Christ is mighty in his weak members. When difficulties appear before them, apparently insurmountable, it is then that they learn by faith to say to this and to that mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and it is done.

2. Afflictions and temptations through the mercy of the Lord are most profitable to his servants. Those do not waste their strength, but only show them that it is in Christ, not in themselves. The assaults of Satan, the opposition they find among those to whom they are sent, and their own manifold infirmities, appearing in every new trial, constrain them to have more frequent recourse to the throne of grace, and whatever sends us to this throne is our advantage in the end. The enemy meant evil to Paul by buffeting him, but the Lord designed this for good to his servant. The trial was severe, a thorn in the flesh; but it was necessary lest he should be exalted above measure. The instrument employed in afflicting the apostle was terrible — a messenger of Satan; but the Lord can make the worst of beings, the bitterest of enemies, do us more service on some occasions than the kindest friend we have on earth. The medicine which is very unpalatable may be in certain cases the most salutary. Paul lived as he directed others to live, trusting in the Lord, and daily calling on his name; yet, this new affliction made him pray more earnestly. "For this," says he, "I besought the Lord thrice"; and the fruit of all was that he obtained more full assurance than ever, as to the Lord's carrying him comfortably through his work. "He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee, and my strength shall be made perfect in weakness"; and he was more than ever reconciled to the work of Christ, and to the cross of Christ. Alas! how little of that self-denied and humble spirit is to be found among us in this generation? which moved him when he said, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak then am I strong." He learned in whatsoever state he was, therewith to be content; but he neither attained what he had at once, nor did he in this life reach to the measure he desired. It is well if we are learning: the grace which taught him is sufficient for us also. They who learn of Christ shall most assuredly grow in heavenly wisdom: under his care may be found many weak beginners, many who are slow to understand, but none who are not making some progress toward that perfection to which he will infallibly bring them, the weakest and slowest not excepted.

3. The attempts made to interrupt the Lord's servants in their work, through his mercy render them more useful. Paul was long in confinement; he seemed lost to the church. Paul was long in confinement; he seemed lost to the church. The malignant Jews might boast that he was now restrained from that activity, for which he was formerly so remarkable, while he went from city to city, and from one nation to another, preaching Christ. But had they reason thus to boast? Verily no. "I would that ye should understand brethren," says he to the Philippians, "that the things which have happened unto me, have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in the palace, and in all other places, and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." His ministry was never so extensively useful as in his suffering at Rome. There was a frequent intercourse between that city and the remotest provinces of the empire: and people, from nations not subject to the Roman power, often resorted thither, some on one account, some on another. The cause of Christ was made known in a manner to all the world, when Paul was tried for his adherence to it in that celebrated city, and before the highest tribunal there: and his faith and constancy in suffering encouraged other Christians. John was banished to Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ: enemies intended that no church should enjoy the benefit of his labors, and in that retirement the Lord made him useful to many churches. The wicked are snared in the work of their hands. The mischief they devise against the Lord's servants is the destruction not of his kingdom, but of their own kingdom of darkness. They send Christ's messengers into exile, and know not that they are sending them to preach the gospel in other places, that the church may be enlarged. They imprison them and put them to death, and what is the consequence? The cause and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ have never more gloriously prevailed, than while his servants have resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

4. The Lord sets an invisible guard about his servants, when, according to human wisdom, there is no protection for them. It is remarkable, that such of them, as enemies were most intent to destroy, have ended their days in peace and honor. There was an uncommon diligence used to take away Elijah's life, yet the Lord so ordered it that he never died. The most eminent of those employed in the Reformation, whose destruction would have been more valued by Antichrist, than that of a thousand others, as Luther, Calvin, and Knox, men who feared no danger, and who made no excuse when their master called them to any perilous service, died in quiet; they hazarded their lives often, but through the Lord's goodness always escaped the hands of their enemies. Many in Corinth were set to hurt Paul, but the Lord assured him that no man should do so. And what was his defence? Not the number or power of his friends, but the favor of the Most High compassing him about as a shield. It seemed impossible for Elisha to escape, the army of the Syrians having invaded the land, of purpose to take him, and having beset the city where he was; his servant seeing this, said, "Alas! my master, how shall we do?" But the prophet replied, "Fear not for they that are with us are more than they that are with them"; and the Lord in answer to his prayer opened the eyes of the young man: he saw a more glorious host than that of the Syrians — "the mountain full or horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." Though we see not this guard with the eyes of our body, yet it is manifest to faith. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them"; we need not therefore be afraid to go to all to whom he shall send us, and to speak whatever he commands us.

5. When the Lord's servants seem to be left to the fury of their enemies, and are spitefully entreated and killed for his sake, he vindicates their cause. It is very dangerous to meddle with them while they are employed in his work, and, according to the measure of grace given to them, acting for him. The injuries done to any of his saints, he will account done to himself: of this, he gives them the most comfortable assurance; "He that toucheth you," saith he, "toucheth the apple of mine eye." As this is true concerning all who belong to Christ, so especially concerning those who are appointed to act as ambassadors for him. They appear weak, insignificant, and such as may with impunity be trodden under foot; but he is strong who will plead their cause, and execute judgment for them. The mocking of Israel at the Lord's messengers, and their killing of his prophets, brought wrath upon that nation. The miserable end of those who have molested the ministers of Christ, for their uprightness and steadfastness in his service, is a strong testimony of his regard to his servants. They are not alone, the Lord is with them while they stand for him: and they who fight against them know not what they do.

Go to the next installment:
As We Have Received Mercy, We Faint Not: Part IV