Psalm 44:1-26 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the times of old. I. PROVIDENCE IS NOT OF YESTERDAY. Men love what is ancient. Now, this antiquity of Providence is not a myth. The Psalms are historical. They were written some thousands of years ago, and yet the writers speak of former times of old. II. THE MAN IS VERY BOLD WHO DISPUTES THIS PROVIDENCE. He must be either a very great or a very little man; there can be nothing common about him. But he ought to be sworn before he gives evidence. We have a right to know who he is. We cannot have any chatter upon this great question. III. PROVIDENCE IS A REVELATION: there is a Gospel of Providence. It is a Gospel to be assured that the foundation of your haven is strong; that all things are under the hand of God. IV. AND THERE IS A PROVIDENCE OF FACTS. The men of old abused these, and from a long succession of such observations they drew their conclusions. History seems to make it more difficult to deny than to admit Providence. V. WHATEVER OBJECTION ANY MAY HAVE AGAINST THE DOCTRINE, ITS EFFECT ON LIFE IS GOOD. We ask, what kind of man does this belief in Providence produce; what fruit does it bear? The creed which says God is, God rules, God will judge — what manner of man will this creed make? It will give courage. See Moses before Pharaoh. And what blessed peace it imparts. But surely this is a great presumption in favour of its truth. And thus should all theology be tested. What are its effects; how does the theology come out in the life? VI. THE MIRACULOUS ELEMENT IS NO DIFFICULTY. For what miracle can exceed the miracle of your own spiritual development? The story of the Red Sea has been true of ourselves, such seas have been before us, and they have opened for us, and we have gone through them as on dry land. And the story of the manna; do we not know all about that? We must read the Bible as having to do with our own life. VII. PROVIDENCE LEADS UP TO REDEMPTION. He who takes care of this present life must care for our eternal life. Does God care for oxen; then how much more for man? But if for man's temporal welfare, so that He has provided everything for it, can He have made no provision for the needs of the soul? Impossible I .Now, such is our faith to-day. We have come to it not by inheritance but by personal reception of it. We are one of a great band of witnesses that "the Lord reigneth," that all that occurs, whatever it be, is by His ordering and under His control. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.} We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. |
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