The Saving Arm of God a Sure Defences to the Church of Christ Against All Her Enemies
Isaiah 26:1-10
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.…


I. Mention some of those ENEMIES against whom the Church is fortified.

1. She is fortified against all the attempts of Satan.

2. A wicked world is always disposed to take part with Sam against her.

3. The Church has enemies within her own walls; and is often in the greatest perils by false brethren.

4. The Church has enemies even in the hearts of her best friends and sincerest members. That principle of corruption that is not totally subdued in the best Christians, as it is inimical to God, must also be inimical to the Church; and, as far as it prevails, its effects must be always hurtful to her.

II. Speak of that SALVATION which God has promised to appoint for walls and bulwarks to the Church.

1. Salvation bears an evident relation to misery and danger.

2. It is but a partial salvation that she can hope to enjoy in this world: —

3. But her salvation shall one day be complete. From every salvation that God has already wrought, faith draws encouragement: considering it as a pledge of what He will work in time to come.

III. CONSIDER WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH IS SECURED AGAINST THE ATTEMPTS OF ENEMIES BY THE SALVATION OF GOD. She may lose much of what may appear to a carnal eye as most valuable to her. But in the eye of the Church herself, and of all her genuine children, all this perfectly consistent with the all-sufficiency of that salvation by which she is defended. An is still safe that is necessary either to her being or her well-being, and all that is essential to the happiness of any of her citizens.

1. Her foundation is always safe. She is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone."

2. Her existence is always safe. The Church may be driven into the wilderness; but she shall never be driven out of the world.

3. Her particular citizens are all safe, under the protection of God's saving arm.

4. Her privileges and immunities are all safe. These having been purchased for her by the blood of Christ, and bestowed upon nor by His God and Father, are also preserved by Divine power and grace; and none shall ever be suffered to deprive her of them.

5. Her treasures are all safe. She has a two-fold treasure: a treasure of grace, and a treasure of truth. Both these are lodged in the hand of Christ.

6. Her real interests are all safe and secure: and that to such a degree, that neither shall she suffer any harm, in the issue, — nor shall her enemies gain any advantage, by all their apparent success.

7. In a word, her eternal inheritance is perfectly safe and secure.

IV. Conclude with some IMPROVEMENT of what has been said.

1. The Church of Christ has but little occasion for the favour and protection of earthly princes, and little cause to regret the want of it.

2. It is neither upon ordinances nor instruments, upon her own endeavours nor those of her members, nor upon any created assistance that the Church of Christ ought to depend for safety or prosperity.

3. Neither the Church of God, nor any particular Christian, has anything to fear from the number, the power, the policy, or even the success of their enemies,

4. This subject informs us what it is that really brings the Church of Christ into danger. Nothing but her own sin can bring her into real danger; because this, and nothing else, tends to deprive her of her protection, or to cause her defence to depart from her.

5. We may here see plentiful encouragement to every member of the Church, as well as to those who bear office in her, to continue strenuous and undaunted, in opposing every enemy, in defending every privilege, that God has bestowed upon the Church, every ordinance that He has instituted in her, and every truth that He has revealed to her.

6. We have here an ample fund of consolation to all those who are affected with the low condition of the Church of God in our day.

(J. Young.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

WEB: In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.




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