3 JANUARY (PREACHED NEW YEAR’S MORNING 1773 [& 1783])
Safe thus far
‘And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?’ 1 Chronicles 17:16
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Exodus 18:1–12
That thou hast brought me hitherto. Here let us look back:
(i) Before conversion: his providential care preserving us from a thousand seen, millions of unseen, dangers, when we knew him not; his secret guidance, leading us by a way which we knew not, till his time of love came.
(ii) At conversion: the means by which he wrought upon us supports in the time of conviction, and the never to be forgotten hour when he enabled us to hope in his mercy.
(iii) Since we first were enabled to give up our names to him: mercy and goodness have followed us. In temporals, he has led and fed us. Many have fallen when we have been preserved, or, if afflicted, we have found him a present help in trouble. Some may say, with my staff I passed over this Jordan [Genesis 32:10]. In spirituals, preserving us from wasting sins, from gross errors, or restoring and healing, maintaining his hold in our hearts, notwithstanding so much opposition, so many temptations and provocations. The comforts we have had in secret and public worship, the seasonable and undoubted answers to prayer. Grace to any dear to us, peace in our families, his blessing with us a church and a people.
This calls for trust and confidence. We have good reason to cast our cares upon him, and to be satisfied with his appointments. Hitherto he has done all things well (Mark 7:37).
FOR MEDITATION:
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
And grace those fears relieved;
I have already come;
How precious did that grace appear,
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
The hour I first believed!
And grace will lead me home.
SERMON: 1 CHRONICLES 17:16–17 [3/4]
4 JANUARY (PREACHED NEW YEAR’S MORNING 1773 [& 1783])
Milo 