Hebrews 11:33-34 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.… I. INQUIRE WHETHER THERE ARE NOT PROMISES MADE TO US WHICH WE DO NOT OBTAIN. 1. The great promise of justification by faith in Christ is made to you. This blessing is promised to every one that believeth. The inquiry then is, Have I Scriptural evidence to conclude that this has taken place as to me? Is the sense of guilt removed? Does the Spirit of adoption dwell in me crying, Abba, Father? Do I love Him, knowing that He hath loved me, and given Himself for me? And do all the fruits follow — "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance"? 2. We have the promise of constant supply of spiritual life, Christ came that we "might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly." The effect of all this is spiritual vigour, and a relish in the application of our minds to Divine things. With this are also connected holy thoughts, lively affections, cheerful and persevering service. 3. A third class of promises relate to our deliverance from the worldly spirit. Do we so see the hand of God in the events of life, as to rest from anxiety? so enjoy inward and sweet communion with God, as to rest in Him with entire satisfaction? 4. A fourth class of promises relate to victory over temptation. The Lord is "able to keep you from falling"; He will " bruise Satan under your feet shortly"; and every regenerate man is said to "keep himself," so that "the wicked one toucheth him not." "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." Now the question with every one of us ought to be, "Am I a conqueror; or am I a conquered man? Am I overcome by temptation, or do I preserve 'a conscience void of offence toward God and toward man?'" 5. There are promises of growth and progress in all religious habits and acts. All the commands on this subject, to "grow in grace," and to "go on unto perfection," have in them the nature of promises. I am directed to grow; and the command implies an engagement to supply the power. We are directed also to abide in Christ, the source of fruitfulness. All the apostolical prayers are promises, because they relate to God's gracious engagements. Every one of us ought, therefore, to inquire whether we "obtain" these promises. Do I grow in grace, so as to be completely delivered from the corruptions of my nature, and to love God with all my heart, and mind, and soul, and strength? II. INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THIS SAD FAILURE. 1. Faith may be defective as wanting its Scriptural concomitants. We are justified, and obtain all the promises, by faith alone; but saving faith is not alone. One concomitant of true faith is a sense of danger. It credits the whole revelation of God, the threatenings as well as the promises. Here is the ground of the grand failure in many. They are not awakened. Another concomitant of true faith is a broken spirit. Many persons have fear and remorse; but they have not that godly sorrow which worketh repentance. A sense of unworthiness is another concomitant of true faith. We can claim nothing at the hands of God's justice. Mercy, from first to last, is our only plea. Another concomitant of true faith is strong desire after these blessings. Intense hungerings and thirstings after righteousness. Another concomitant is persevering prayer. This is the ordinance of God's appointing as the visible expression of faith; and He will honour it. Now, has our faith failed in these concomitants? 2. Faith may remain feeble and powerless because we nourish it not by its proper food, the Word of God. 3. We may fail in the actings of faith. In addition to this general confidence, there must be an act of special trust in God for the present communication to us of those blessings which we particularly need, and which the promises of His Word authorise us to expect. III. IF, THEN, YOU FAIL IN OBTAINING THE PROMISES WHICH IMMEDIATELY RELATE TO YOUR PERSONAL SALVATION, LET ME EXHORT YOU — 1. That you cry mightily to God for a broken and contrite heart. 2. That you set before you all that God has promised as designed for you. 3. That, with your prayers, you stir up yourselves to the actings and exercise of faith. Lay hold upon the promises. (R. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, |
    |