The Sure Mercies of David
By Francis Monroe Burg
The Divine Word Can Not Fail—Joy of Heart to the One Who Trusts It—Special Promises to the “Remnant” A careful study of the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah reveals an unbroken line of thought throughout. A direct relationship will be seen between verses ten and eleven and what has preceded. These verses grow out of what has gone before: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” The thought is that we can depend upon the word of God and its fulfilment. Just as the farmer is sure of results to follow if the rain falls upon his fields, so can we be sure of God’s promise being fulfilled to us. He has promised to forgive—to “abundantly pardon,” as stated in the verses before; and this precious promise is certain of fulfilment. David found salvation in the “sure” mercies of God. Verse 3. He said, “Mercy shall be built up [established] forever: Thy faithfulness shalt Thou establish in the very heavens.” Ps. 89:2. His faith and confidence in the mercy of God is expressed in the words which he so frequently uttered, “His mercy endureth forever.” Psalm 136. God has left nothing undone to help us to believe, and so to enter into His rest. See Heb. 4:1–3. He promised through Abraham the blessings of the gospel to all families of the earth. And though His promise can not fail, because it is impossible for Him to lie, yet to “help our unbelief” He has “confirmed His promise by an oath.” Hence, two immutable things—His unfailing promise and His oath—become the ground upon which our faith may rest. Could we ask for any more to establish us in a confidence that can not be shaken than these assurances which have been cited? Surely if we are condemned at last, it will be for our failure to believe God. But, as the next verse in this wonderful chapter assures us, if we will believe the promise of God, we shall “go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth . . . into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Verse 12. It is the privilege of the believer to be so happy within that all creation will seem joyful with him. The birds will sing a new song, and the very trees of the field will seem to shout for joy. “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, and for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” Verse 13. To him who is living and walking with God, the thorn-strewn path seems to be covered with roses. If God is with us, a tent is a palace, poverty is wealth, and want our abundant supply. ONE BLESSED, ONWARD MARCH OF JOY
With an experience like this, that brings God into the life, and fills the soul with singing, our foes will be put to confusion before us; and our experience will be one blessed, onward march, with victory inscribed on our banners. So it was of old when Israel went out to battle. In the lead of the army was a company of singers, selected and appointed, who were to “praise the beauty of holiness,” and to say, “Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth forever.” 2 Chron. 20:21. The result was that their enemies fought among themselves till all were slain, and the people triumphed in God. The Lord would have us to-day filled with praise for His goodness, and to join with David, His “chosen,” to show forth His praises, till many shall “see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” When we have such an experience as this in the love of God, our foes will fall before our advance, and “Victory” will be our ceaseless song. Instead of the brier and the thorn will be the fir and the myrtle-tree. The happiness of the Christian is not dependent upon favorable temporal conditions. To be “rich in faith” is to rejoice in the knowledge of being “a child of a King.” The following words of the prophet Zephaniah, describing the experience of the “remnant” people,—the loyal, trusting children of God,—will form an appropriate conclusion. First I would call the reader’s special attention to the fact that those whom the prophet describes are an “afflicted and poor” people; yet they “trust in the name of the Lord.” They are told to “sing” and to “be glad and rejoice with all the heart,” for their enemies are conquered and cast out. Victory is theirs, because God is with them. The following is the prophet’s beautiful language, describing the remnant people: “I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity; nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.”