The Tenses

Grammarians have here a lesson in the tenses; and Christians may profitably join in the exercise.

We may consider the past, present, and future, each one by itself.

We may also view them in their relation to each other.

Our text points out the delivering mercy of God as at all times working out the safety of his people. The case of Paul did not stand alone: hence he uses the plural: “who delivered us”; “we trust.”

We shall take the words out of the apostle’s mouth and apply them to our own cases.

I. THE TEXT SUGGESTS THREE TRAINS OF THOUGHT.

1. Memory tells of deliverances in the past—

   • From violent death. In Paul’s case, “so great a death” may mean death by fierce mobs, or by the emperor.
   • From our death in sin: “So great a death” indeed.
   • From fierce despair when under conviction.
   • From total overthrow when tempted by Satan.
   • From faintness under daily tribulation.
   • From destruction by slander and the like.
   • The Lord has most graciously delivered us hitherto. Let us express our gratitude.

2. Observation calls attention to present deliverance.

   • By the good hand of the Lord, we are at this time preserved—
   • From unseen dangers to life.
   • From the subtle assaults of Satan.
   • From the rampant errors of the times.
   • From inbred sin and natural corruption.
   • From the sentence of death within, and from the greater danger of self-trust. See the preceding verse.
   • Our present standing is wholly due to the grace of God, and, trusting in that grace, we may indulge a happy confidence.

3. Expectation looks out of the window upon the future.

   • Faith rests alone in God, “in whom we trust,” and through him she looks for future deliverance—
   • From all future common trials.
   • From coming losses and afflictions, and from sicknesses, which may be coming upon us.
   • From the infirmities and wants of age.
   • From the peculiar glooms of death.
   • This expectation makes us march on with cheerfulness.

II. THE TEXT SUPPLIES THREE LINES OF ARGUMENT.

That the Lord will preserve us to the end is most sure. We can say of him, “In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.”

1. From the Lord’s beginning to deliver we argue that he will yet deliver, for

   • There was no reason in us for his beginning to love us. If his love arises out of his own nature it will continue.
   • He has obtained no fresh knowledge. He foreknew all our misbehaviors: hence there is no reason for casting us off.
   • The reason which moved him at first is operating now, and none better can be required.

2. From the Lord’s continuing to deliver we argue that he will yet deliver; for

   • His deliverances have been so many;
   • They have displayed such wisdom and power;
   • They have come to us when we have been so unworthy;
   • They have continued in such an unbroken line;
   • That we feel sure he will never leave nor forsake us.

3. From the Lord himself—“In whom we trust”: we argue that he will yet deliver; for

   • He is as loving and strong now as aforetime.
   • He will be the same in the future.
   • His purpose never changes, and it is to his glory to complete what he has begun. Truly, “he will yet deliver us.”

III. THE TEXT IS OPEN TO THREE INFERENCES.

1. We infer that we shall always be so in danger as to need to be delivered: wherefore we are not high-minded, but fear.

2. We infer our constant need of God’s own interposition. He alone has met our case in the past, and he only can meet it in the future: wherefore we would ever abide near our Lord.

3. We infer that our whole life should be filled with the praise of God, who, for past, present, and future, is our Deliverer.

For The Times

First, God has a time, as for all things, so for our deliverance. Secondly, God’s time is the best time. He is the best discerner of opportunities. Thirdly, this shall be when he has wrought his work upon our souls, specially when he has made us to trust in him. As here, when Paul had learned to trust in God, then he delivered him.

—Richard Sibbes.

The Roman noblemen could give no greater proof of their confidence in their city and army, than when they bought the land on which their Carthaginian enemies were encamped around the city. And we can give no greater proof of our confidence in God, than by trusting him in the land which our enemies, darkness and sickness and trouble, seem to possess, and acting as if God were their master, and mightier than they all. This is but to act upon the truth.

There is an ante-war incident which illustrates the power for despair which lies in forgetfulness of God, and the hope which leaps up when God is fully believed in. A dark cloud hung over the interests of the African race in our land. There seemed no way of deliverance. Frederick Douglas, at a crowded meeting, depicted the terrible condition. Everything was against his people. One political party had gone down on its knees to slavery; the other proposed not to abolish it anywhere, but only to restrict it. The Supreme Court had given judgment against black men as such. He drew a picture of his race writhing under the lash of the overseer, and trampled upon by brutal and lascivious men. As he went on with his despairing words, a great horror of darkness seemed to settle down upon the audience. The orator even uttered the cry for blood. There was no other relief. And then he showed that there was no relief even in that. Everything, every influence, every event was gathering, not for good, but for evil, about the doomed race. It seemed as if they were fated to destruction. Just at the instant when the cloud was most heavy over the audience, there slowly rose, in the front seat, an old black woman. Her name, “Sojourner Truth.” She had given it to herself. Far and wide she was known as an African prophetess. Every eye was on her. The orator paused. Reaching out towards him her long bony finger, as every eye followed her pointing, she cried out, “Frederick, is God dead?” It was a lightning-flash upon that darkness. The cloud began to break, and faith and hope and patience returned with the idea of a personal and ever-living God.

Sword and Trowel, 1887.

Who murmurs that in these dark days

His lot is cast?

God’s hand within the shadow lays

The stones whereon his gates of praise

Shall rise at last.—J. G. Whittier.