The bulwark of their confidence is the boulevard of their communion. Outside the wall, on the other side of the moat, lies what is called the bulwark the earthwork where, in times of peace, the citizens delight to take their walks. Its lofty walls are the mainstay of a city’s security when they are strong, and high, they keep out the foe, whether he assail by scaling-ladder, or battering-engine. “Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.” Our refuge will repay a close examination. Observe how the song goes on to dilate upon the city’s strength. Our gospel hymns are the songs of men who, in the truest spiritual sense, have seen an end of alarm, by accepting God’s provision against trouble of heart. We are no longer hunted by hosts of fears, and trodden down by dark despairs but “We have a strong city” which overawes the foe, and quiets ourselves. Let us sing this morning, “We have a strong city.” The man that hath come into fellowship with God through the atoning sacrifice, hath gotten into a place of perfect safety, where he may dwell, ay, dwell for ever, without fear of assault. We have a burgess-ship in the new Jerusalem which is the mother of us all and within that strong city we dwell securely. We were once unguarded from spiritual evil, and we spent our days in constant fear but the Lord has found for us a city of defence, a castle of refuge. This song of a city may, however, belong to us as much as to the men of Judah, and we may throw into it a deeper sense of which they were not aware. Those people who had been hurried to and fro as captives, and had frequently been robbed of their property by invaders, were glad when they saw builded among them a city, a well-defended city, which should be the centre of their race, and the shield of their nation. I quote to you a stanza from “the song of a city.” Judah has not aforetime thus chanted before her God, but she has much to learn, and one day she shall learn this psalm also:- “We have a strong city salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.” Into the open country the adversary easily advances, but walled cities are a check upon the invading foe. We are among the poets of revelation, who did not compose ballads for the passing hour, but made sonnets for the people of God to sing in after days. THIS is no dry, didactic statement, but a verse from a song. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” - Isaiah xxvi. The Song of a City, and the Pearl of Peace
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |