438. PSA 48:14. GOD THE GUIDE OF HIS PEOPLE

Psa_48:14. God The Guide Of His People

"He will be our guide even unto death."’97Psa_48:14.

The people of God are pilgrims ana strangers on the earth; they seek a better country, that is to say, a heavenly one. A life of piety supposes the affections and desires of the heart to be in heaven. This is not the good man’s rest, for it is polluted. Like the children of Israel, he is journeying to the place which the Lord said he would give unto him, and, as the tribes who went up to Jerusalem, he goes forth from strength to strength, until he appears before God in Zion. But he is a creature of wants in all his pilgrimage. He wants necessary food, and raiment, and rest. But he also requires constant direction,’97he needs a constant guide. His path is one he has never before traversed. He is ignorant of the way, and without a guide, his course would be uncertain, and very probably his end unattained. God graciously engages to conduct him. To be to him as the pillar of cloud and fire was to Israel. So that with joyous rapture he exclaims, This God shall be my God forever and ever. He will be my "guide even unto death." Observe,

I. The good Man’s Need of a Guide.

And this necessarily arises,

1. From his ignorance.

He is not in darkness, but he is at present the child of the dawn. His knowledge is so limited, that he cannot trust to it. He only knows the first elements of truth. He has entered on the path of life, but he feels it needful to seek direction and guidance every step. He prays, "Lead me into a plain path," &c. "Lead me in the way everlasting," &c.

2. From the diversified paths which surround him.

Now there are many paths which seem right to men, and which are called good and excellent by men of the world, and which notwithstanding lead from the right way. Sin has a thousand treacherous paths, many of them apparently good, and most of them fascinating, &c. There are paths of mere morality, of self-righteousness, of spiritual apathy, of carnal security, &c. How necessary then to have a guide.

3. From the temptations to which he is subject.

It is the work of Satan to allure and deceive, that he may ruin and destroy. He lays snares for the travellers’ feet. He tries to turn them aside, from the way of duty and safety. Or to suggest that the way is tedious, embarrassing, and uncomfortable. Then,

4. There is the tendency of their own hearts to evil.

The heart within them is only partially sanctified. Liable to err. Often willing to be deceived. Apt to turn aside. Hence the caution of the apostle, "Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelieving, in departing from the living God," Heb_3:12. The child of God often prays,

"Let thy grace, Lord, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to thee."

Let us inquire,

II. How God guides his People.

1. By the counsels of his truth.

"Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel." God has given his holy word to be the guide of our steps. Here is plainly and distinctively marked out the way we should go. How often the psalmist refers to it. "O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes," Psa_119:5. "Wherewithal shall a young man," &c., ver. 9. "I will run in the way of thy commandments," &c., ver. 32. See also Psa_119:35, Psa_119:59, Psa_119:104.

2. By the ministry of his servants.

Of old he raised up Moses, and Joshua, and Caleb. Afterwards Samuel and the prophets. He also came to minister and to teach mankind in the person of his Son. Heb_1:2, &c. He has established the ministry of the word with the Christian dispensation. "He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists," &c., Eph_4:11. See also 1Co_12:28

3. By the teaching of his Spirit.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter," &c. "He shall teach you all things." "He will guide you into all truth," Joh_14:16-26, Joh_16:13. Let us ascertain,

III. What kind of a Guide God is to his People.

1. He is an infallible guide.

He is incapable of error. He knows every thing connected both with the travellers, the way, and the perils to which they are exposed. He knows all things even from the beginning.

2. He is patient and forbearing.

He remembers that his people are but dust. His long suffering is greatly displayed in enduring their provocations, in not wearying with their slow advances and patiently sustaining them amidst all their unworthiness.

3. He is affectionate and tender.

As the shepherd kindly leads his flock. As the mother aids her infant child to walk. His lovingkindness is perpetually displayed. He breaks not the bruised reed, &c. He carries in his arms, shelters beneath his wings, guides with his eye, and preserves in the hollow of his hand.

4. He is constant and unfailing.

He never leaves, nor ever forsakes. He guides their youth to mature years, and, casts not off in the time of old age, nor forsakes when their strength faileth. He guides even to death. He conducts his people to glory

APPLICATION

1. Are we under the guidance of God?

Have we yielded ourselves to him? Do we hear his voice and obey it? Read his word and follow it? Meditate on his example and imitate it? Pray for his Spirit, and attend to the holy suggestions which he imparts?

2. Let such cherish a spirit suited to their character and condition.

Reverence and holy fear. Confidence in God. Adherence to the truth. Fervent prayer and earnest activity of mind. Self-denial and glowing ardor after the heavenly state.

3. Urge sinners to turn from the way of death, and live.

In the way of darkness, under the guidance of the prince of darkness, you must inevitably sink into the abyss of darkness forever. "Thus saith the Lord Ask for the old paths," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS