Exodus 15:18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. I. PAST MERCIES ACKNOWLEDGED. The fact celebrated is redemption from Egypt — "Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth Thy people which Thou hast redeemed." The whole glory of deliverance is ascribed to the Lord, without any reference to second causes. The believer will often look back and contemplate his mercies, and celebrate his deliverances; like Samuel, he will raise his Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12). II. FUTURE MERCIES ANTICIPATED. "Thou hast guided them, in Thy strength, unto Thy holy habitation." Here is the language of strong faith, as if they were already in Canaan. Moses knew that God had promised to bring them to His holy hill, and to His dwelling; he knew that God's promises were as good as His performances; and we may say so too, for they are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus. The Lord had done so much for Israel, that Moses felt no doubt as to the future — "Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance." III. ISRAEL'S ENEMIES CONFOUNDED. "The people shall hear and be afraid, sorrow shall take hold of the inhabitants of Palestine," etc. The world has now much to say against the people and cause of God. Religion is denounced by them as a delusion — a gloomy thing — as madness; but then every objection will be silenced. Satan, too, is now very busy with his temptations and accusations; but this state of things shall not always last. Trembling shall take hold of the believer's enemies, when the people of God are safely brought to the heavenly Canaan. Then where will be the venom of the world? where the accusations of Satan? Not one mouth will then be opened against the meanest and most neglected of God's people on earth. He shall then have nothing to fear; admitted within the pearly gates of the heavenly Jerusalem, he shall be for ever with the Lord. All enemies will be for ever excluded. The Church shall be saved and God glorified. IV. THE KINGDOM OF GOD PERMANENTLY TRIUMPHANT. "The Lord shall reign for ever and ever." 1. To the enemies of Christ. You see that the Lord must reign; then what must become of you? 2. To the friends of Christ, yea, to those who wish to love the Saviour. (1) Look back and review your mercies; how numerous, how seasonable, how undeserved! See the Lord's hand in them, and this will add to their sweetness. (2) Look forward. Consider what God has promised to do for you. You have your trials, and you will have them; but you have not one too many. (3) Look upward to that promised rest — that "inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away," etc. (George Breay, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. |
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