Word
of God
But
he answering, said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread only,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
The
Gospel According to Matthew 4:4
Psalm
18:30-31
Prefaced
& Edited by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades
30
The way of God is uncorrupt: the word* of the Lord is tried in the
fire: he is a shield to all that trust in him. 31 For who is God
besides the Lord? and who is mighty save our God
Brethren:
For
some time now, we have been stressing the promises of our Creator.
One of which is to protect us from the world. In fact this is a
constant theme throughout the Psalms, (and to a lesser extent the
Proverbs), that God is willing and most able to defend those that
honestly and humbly seek Him and His Word. It behooves us however,
to remember that His timetable is not our own. So let us also
consider that factor in the equation. Man’s wisdom is naught
compared to it, as it (man’s) cannot save, nor create righteousness
from within.
Yet His arm is not shortened, nor hindered by the ways of this world that it cannot save even the most vilest of persons. (Read Numbers 11;23; Isaiah 50:2; 59:1) For it is His most fervent desire that all mankind should come to repentance and be saved. (Read Ezekiel 33:7-19) Therefore friends, let us be quick to seek forgiveness when we fall, and likewise be quick to forgive others as well. For again God it is only by that grace, and mercy that we are forgiven. It is the most mightiest of attributes of His character.
Yet His arm is not shortened, nor hindered by the ways of this world that it cannot save even the most vilest of persons. (Read Numbers 11;23; Isaiah 50:2; 59:1) For it is His most fervent desire that all mankind should come to repentance and be saved. (Read Ezekiel 33:7-19) Therefore friends, let us be quick to seek forgiveness when we fall, and likewise be quick to forgive others as well. For again God it is only by that grace, and mercy that we are forgiven. It is the most mightiest of attributes of His character.
“Or
without spot, as the Septuagint render the word; without any just
charge of inequality, or unrighteousness; such is God's way of
providence, though sometimes his methods of providence are cavilled
at by wicked men, and murmured at by his own people: they are at a
loss, at times, to reconcile promises and providences together, and
to account for the justice and equity of them; these ways of his are
unsearchable, and not to be traced out by them; but when his
judgments will be made manifest, the wisdom, goodness, and
righteousness of them will be clearly discerned, and they will be
admired; for they are all of a piece, and perfectly consistent with
the attributes of God: and such also is his way of grace, and method
of salvation; it is agreeable to all his perfections, and according
to his purposes, counsel, and covenant; this being resolved on in his
breast, contrived by his wisdom, and concluded on in the covenant,
has been effected and finished by his son; and his inward way of
working upon the heart, though at present imperfect, will be
completed; he is a rock, and his work is perfect, and all his ways
are judgment: whatever way or method he contrives and enters upon,
whether in providence or grace, he pursues and brings to an issue;
for he is an omnipotent, omniscient, and unchangeable Being, and
neither frustrates, nor is he frustrated; nor is there any
insincerity, unrighteousness, and unfaithfulness in him; nor can he
act contrary to himself, and the perfections of his nature: the way
also which he prescribes to others is perfect and plain, whether the
path of doctrine or of duty; the path of truth is plain to the
enlightened understanding, and the way of holiness is such, in which
men, though fools, shall not err; (Read Proverbs 8::8-9; Isaiah 35:8
).
The
word of the Lord is tried; as silver in a furnace, and is clear of
all dross, of error, and falsehood; is free from human mixtures, and
without any impurity and unholiness; nor is God's word of promise
chargeable with unfaithfulness; all his promises being yea and amen
in Christ, and have been tried and proved by the saints in all ages;
and have been found true, faithful, constant, and invariable.
He [is likewise] a buckler to all those that trust in him; not in man, nor in themselves; in their own righteousness, or in any creature or creature enjoyment or performance; but in the providence and power of God, in his grace and mercy, in his word, and especially in his Son; in his person, blood, and righteousness; to such he is a buckler or shield: his power is all around them, his favour encompasses them, and his truth, or faithfulness in his word, is their shield and buckler: and so is his Son, who is both a sun and shield to them; and such are his precious blood, his spotless righteousness, and stoning sacrifice; which, being held up by faith, repel the fiery darts of Satan. (Read Ephesians 6:16)”
He [is likewise] a buckler to all those that trust in him; not in man, nor in themselves; in their own righteousness, or in any creature or creature enjoyment or performance; but in the providence and power of God, in his grace and mercy, in his word, and especially in his Son; in his person, blood, and righteousness; to such he is a buckler or shield: his power is all around them, his favour encompasses them, and his truth, or faithfulness in his word, is their shield and buckler: and so is his Son, who is both a sun and shield to them; and such are his precious blood, his spotless righteousness, and stoning sacrifice; which, being held up by faith, repel the fiery darts of Satan. (Read Ephesians 6:16)”
John
Gill 17th Century Theologian
*Be
the dangers never so many or great, yet God’s promise must take
effect. - GNV footnotes circa 1599
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