Tuesday, March 03, 2009

NOT LEFT TO PERISH
...the comfort of divine hope

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; 
neither will thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 
(Psalm 16:10)


by C.H. Spurgeon
This word has it proper fulfillment in the Lord Jesus; but it applies also, with a variation, to all who are in Him. Our soul shall not be left in the separate state, and our body, though it see corruption, shall rise again. The general meaning, rather than the specific application, is that to which we would call our readers' thoughts at this particular time.

We may descend in spirit very low till we seem to be plunged in the abyss of hell; but we shall not be left there. We may appear to be at death's door in heart, and soul, and consciousness; but we cannot remain there. Our inward death as to joy and hope may proceed very far; but it cannot run on to its full consequences, so as to reach the utter corruption of black despair, We may go very low, but not lower than the Lord permits; we may stay in the lowest dungeon of doubt for a while, but we shall not perish there. The star of hope is still in the sky when the night is blackest. The Lord will not forget us and hand us over to the enemy. Let us rest in hope, We have to deal with One whose mercy endureth forever. Surely, out of death, and darkness, and despair we shall yet arise to life, light, and liberty.

2 comments:

cyd said...

"ALL the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies."
Psalm.25:10

Our trials are His paths. As he leads us through them, we learn to:
Trust Him, Prov. 3:5,6
KNOW that He is God, Ps.46
Endure and embrace His discipline,
Heb. 12:3-16
Glorify Him, Romans 8:35 - 39

All the while, He never leaves us or forsakes us. Easy to say, but hard to remember sometimes.

Thanks for this today, Steve.

SJ Camp said...

Well said... In the end, they are used by the Lord to conform us to Himself (Roms. 8:29).