22 JUNE (PREACHED 28 DECEMBER 1777)
The Israel of God
‘Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.’ Deuteronomy 33:29
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 33:26–29
Happy indeed are the people who are in such a case, yea blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God. As we observed lately, no God like the God of Israel, so no people like the Israel of God. The believers are called Israel, because, like Jacob of old, they are children of the covenant and have obtained a new name by faith and prayer. They are a saved people. Saved from guilt, wrath and Satan, and saved of the Lord—therefore their salvation is honourable and sure. As they are called to war, they are well provided. The Lord is their shield, to defend them in all perils. The Lord is their sword, he fights for them; it is by laying hold of his arm that they are victorious. Therefore opposition shall be vain. Their enemies shall be liars. Satan despises and threatens us, but all shall be liars. There is help in God even to the uttermost. Their warfare shall end in complete victory. They shall tread upon the high places of sin (of long habit, of general custom—see Daniel 3), of sins that plead necessity (as a right hand or right eye) and of Satan (unbelief, terror, presumption). And when they are thus made more than conquerors, they shall enter into Canaan—that blessed rest which remaineth for the people of God.
FOR MEDITATION: [specially written to be sung after this sermon]
With Israel’s GOD who can compare?
Upheld by everlasting arms,
Or who, like Israel, happy are?
Thou art secured from foes and harms!
To people saved by the LORD,
In vain their plots, and false their boasts!
He is thy shield and great reward.
Our refuge is the LORD of Hosts.
SERMON: DEUTERONOMY 33:29 [1/1]
Milo 