2 Samuel 22:3 "The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, … 2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. II. The article we purchase, the word era neighbour, the work of the artisan, the professed friendship of an acquaintance, the soundness of a theory, the wisdom or folly of any step taken in business--all are proved and their true worth discovered by experience. I. Holy Writ is in most cases our first source of knowledge as to God and his ways; and it abounds in declarations adapted to assure us, in the midst of all our perplexities respecting the mysteries of Divine providence, that the ways of God are right and good, and will issue in good to those who love and obey him. It is most probably made here as to his promises. The way he pursues is “perfect.” God has a method of action. 2. We, living to-day, are the heirs of all the knowledge, civilisation, and religion of the past. Not. A soldier may be endowed with strength and robustness, and yet may have most ineffective armour. SERMONS ON 2 SAMUEL. III. 2 Samuel 22:1-51. The meaning of the assertion. Men's experience of sin and its penalty is but a testimony to the reality and Divine character of that Book that declares: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Pure — The Hebrew word is used of the smelting and refining of metals in the furnaces. What we see, however, we feel to be "perfect. Even a race so utterly degraded as the Terra del Fuegians have proved to be not wholly devoid of moral instinct and power; while among heathen philosophers not a few have reached sublime moral conceptions and truths. The protection itself. Then: 1. 2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, His way is blameless;The word of the Lord is tested;He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Voltaire declared that ten years after his attack on the Christian system it would cease to be. But let faith lay hold of this; nothing but faith can lay hold of it; reason cannot defend it, reason can only put her hand upon her mouth. He who trusts God must try at least to serve Him; otherwise trust were nothing better than presumption. Now consider this for a few moments in connection with the world. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Our civilisation and knowledge, based upon and including all that was best in these byegone ages, is richer than any previous. His ways in nature are to a large extent inscrutable; but we are sure they are infinitely wise and good. 2 Samuel 22:31-33 New Living Translation (NLT) 31 “God’s way is perfect. "E.W. Not only is the Bible proved to be Divine in view of our best judgment, but also according to the evidence of the greatest among sceptical writers. I. One time each year, we take the time to also give thanks to our veterans... those that have served and those that still serve. The manner in which they stand the wear and tear of actual life is the infallible sign of their genuineness. It is the only safe method. The false jewel, the counterfeit coin, the imitation bric-a-brac, the insincere character, the false teaching or unsound reasoning, needs only time to discover the worthlessness that attaches to it. II. By which the experience of others becomes available for ourselves. Their teachings are proved to be genuine and Divine because they bear infallibly the critical force of experience. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. But equally true is the opposite experience: What is the testimony of those who have put its teachings to the test of practice — who have not merely tried them by reason and the moral judgment, but subjected them to the experiment of actual obedience? Action is the element which is essential to its existence. But that which is the “truth and of the truth” becomes more and more clearly revealed as genuine and precious. The aspect in which a man of faith and a man of this world regard all that is passing around them is as different as light can be from darkness. II. Hence, then, we infer, that we are in danger of falling into error, when we look upon the dispensations of God as an insulated or individual case. It is no time to commence all this when we are involved in calamity. We do not understand how it is that from the very beginning, from the very earliest years down to the days in which we live, whenever there has been the slightest activity or energy put forth on the part of God's people, when the Church has not been fast asleep, there have arisen grave and deadly heresies, and the Church of Christ is constantly witnessing it. On the other hand, a soldier may have a perfect weapon, and yet be possessed of most inadequate strength. ; “God so loved the world,” etc. The Apostle Paul declares that by the light within even the heathen are capable of seeing the grand distinction between right and wrong, and of feeling the charm of moral beauty and truth. Go to. Our sermon ideas on 2 Samuel will help you preach a powerful message on God's unconditional promise to David. God's Word contains not a promise to the ungodly and unholy, however troubled they may be, unless the trouble subdue their hearts to a true repentance. The architect of the great building presents you with a whole plan, and you may understand it and see the superstructure on the paper. That which is excellent and of good report never lacks its counterfeit. Following the light within them, men like Socrates, Plato, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Buddha, arid Confucius have attained to marvellous views of truth, and have given utterance to teaching the moral beauty and Divine character of which we cannot deny. The last two clauses occur again in Agur's proverbs (Proverbs 30:5). God’s way perfect, His Word tried, Himself the believer’s Buckler. And he blew the trumpet and said,. It has verified itself to them by its power over their hearts, consciences, characters, and lives. The influence which this truth should have upon us. Thus God has not acted; and if He had given us the whole plan we could not have scanned the millionth part. 2 Samuel 22:31. The two questions, “How?” and “Why?” were constantly in his thoughts--whether he considered his own life, or the dispensations of Providence in the government of the world. We do not see the bearing of the means upon the end. It seldom fails. Simply this-, men all admit that the precepts of Christ embodied in daily life would regenerate the world; the golden age would no longer be a dream, but a sober reality; and Jesus Christ enthroned as King would make a worm of purity, moral glory, and blessedness. We worship and give thanks to God every day for all the blessings that we have received. It is “a tried Word.” Into all the manifold forms in which that trial has been successfully borne, we cannot now enter. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. Trust is active. And no one who serves God can fail to recognize this truth in his own life, however much may remain at present dark and difficult. What is the testimony of many of these, men of sceptical, but deeply, reverent minds? None of God’s people will, on reflection, ever find cause to question the purity of His Word, the integrity of His promise. If it be genuine, time will only make its true character the more manifest. What we see, however, we feel to be “perfect.”, 2. THE PURITY OF GOD'S WORD. Their faith itself, God-produced and God-sustained, is a shield (Ephesians 6:16); it inspires their prayers and struggles after safety; and in response to their confidence and their prayers the Almighty becomes their Defence, and they are safe. Of the first, so far as both God and man are concerned, we are competent to judge; on the second, we can only form a judgment of beings endued and encumbered with like passions as ourselves. 1. BibliographyKeil, Carl Friedrich & Delitzsch, Franz. And yet the searches and the conclusions of modern science are only revealing, we hesitate not to affirm, greater wonders, and those wonders are increasingly exhibiting the perfection of God s laws. THE PROTECTION WHICH GOD AFFORDS TO HIS PEOPLE. Our knowledge of creation is very limited. The unbelief and sinful disregard of Christ and His Gospel, the rebellion against conscience and morality, against Christian light and leading, in their consequences and effects fulfil the utterances of Holy Writ. Notice the reason of the perfectness of God's way as the way of a soul. It seldom fails. He derives this confidence from the acts of God, and also from His word. At no previous age of the world's history has knowledge of so universal a kind been possessed. Here again faith must come in. And there are some who do not trust because they do not try. Now consider this for a few moments in connection with the world. None of God's people will, on reflection, ever find cause to question the purity of His Word, the integrity of His promise. Bishop.). f every man to his tents, O Israel!. The way that is prescribed for our spiritual restoration is “perfect.” What is the way? Perfect Wisdom and Goodness cannot err; unbounded power carries into effect the determinations of perfect Wisdom and Goodness. His method of procedure is "perfect" in conception. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. In still more modern days its teachings and records have been assailed by the fierce fire of criticism, hostile and mighty. The architect of the great building presents you with a whole plan, and you may understand it and see the superstructure on the paper. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/2-samuel-22.html. Read verse in Holman Christian Standard Bible ONE OF THE SEVEREST TESTS OF THE VALUE OF A THING IS THE WAY IN WHICH IT WITHSTANDS THE EFFECTS OF TIME AND CHANGE. Hence, then, we infer, that we are in danger of falling into error, when we look upon the dispensations of God as an insulated or individual case. In nothing has this been more fully shown than in the history of the sacred Scriptures. One of the severest tests of the value of a thing is the way in which it withstands the effects of time and change. It rests with every individual hearer to "examine himself whether he be in the faith," to "prove his own self,", 1. II. Looking back on his own life, with its many difficulties, struggles, and perils, David could see enough of the way of God in it all to awaken in him a profound conviction that it was a perfect way. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use our convenient, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. Articles Sermons Topics Books Podcasts Features About Donate. The meaning is that God's Word is thoroughly genuine, true, sincere, free from every particle of opposite qualities. We do not see the bearing of the means upon the end. III. For who is God, except the LORD? The Apostle Paul declares that by the light within even the heathen are capable of seeing the grand distinction between right and wrong, and of feeling the charm of moral beauty and truth. 2 SAMUEL 22:31. The proof of it lies in action. "Commentary on 2 Samuel 22:31". It is of the first that David speaks. The words were like a flash of light. The stars, the oceans, insects, brutes, and souls of every kind, from the least to the greatest, have each their “way” marked out, and the highest science attests that the way is “perfect.” But the course or the way which is prescribed for man is what the writer refers to. III. And the principle on which I ground the assertion, is simply this — "The end of faith "is" "the salvation of the soul;" this is the one great object, which must be pursued through all difficulties and accomplished at all sacrifices; a true believer, therefore, can only then begin to doubt — on reflection, at least — when he is placed in circumstances, of which he can positively say, "These cannot minister either to my salvation, or to the salvation of any other living soul." The soul burns with anguish as it rolls and rolls in the great thought, "As for God, His ways are perfect. Among the choicest, the flower of heathen philosophy and religious teaching there is nothing that is equal in sustained loftiness of character, in quantity and beauty, to that of the New Testament. "He is a Buckler [Shield] to all them that trust in him." I drink therein rest, self-knowledge, hope, faith, love, carefulness (circumspection), and the fear of God, so that I look at life and the world in quite another fashion than what I did before. Now, of course, in affirming that God's way as Creator is perfect, we must bear in mind that we are not in a position to see into the whole of this matter. 3. It is of the first that David speaks. We are called, however, on the present occasion to consider the gain, the incalculable gain of those who trust God. 2. The manner in which they stand the wear and tear of actual life is the infallible sign of their genuineness. Not only he secures protection, he is himself the Shield that protects. Men’s experience of sin and its penalty is but a testimony to the reality and Divine character of that Book that declares: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” But equally true is the opposite experience: What is the testimony of those who have put its teachings to the test of practice--who have not merely tried them by reason and the moral judgment, but subjected them to the experiment of actual obedience? And who is a … - G.W. In reference to His providential dealings, most unquestionably David’s testimony was that God’s way is perfect; and indeed this is the point in the psalm. The experience of every believer testifies to its perfect truth; and the experience of the Church, and of the world in its connection with the Church, throughout all ages, gives the same assurance. To my surprise, the child asked the question, “Papa, what does ‘perfect’ mean?” My heart was too full to make any reply for a few moments; and before I could break the silence, my little one supplied the answer by saying, “Papa, doesn’t it mean that God makes no mistakes?”. the answer is ready and complete. The way of God is perfect in that grand order of the universe which He has established and maintains. Here it is: “What the law could not do,” etc. LASTLY, HIS WAY IS PERFECT AS A WAY OF SALVATION. But, instead of such an issue, Christianity has come forth as from a refining furnace, like gold purified seven times. III. The statement applies to every word of God - his declarations, revelations, precepts, promises, and threatenings. "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible". 2 Samuel 22:31 Commentaries: "As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Then, "trust in him at all times" (Psalm 62:8); and let your prayer be, "Lord, increase our faith" (Luke 17:5), and, "Pray for us that our faith fail not" (see Luke 22:32). It is no time to commence all this when we are involved in calamity. II. What is the mystery at the bottom of it all? This morning we gather, once again, to give thanks for all that God has provided … This morning we gather, once again, to give thanks for all that God … Of the first, so far as both God and man are concerned, we are competent to judge; on the second, we can only form a judgment of beings endued and encumbered with like passions as ourselves. BUT THE DECLARATION OF OUR TEXT IS NOT LESS TRUE IN REFERENCE TO GOD AS THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE. Or what is the use of a keen eye with an imperfect gun? The grounds of the assertion. It is the only safe method. With the destinies of David, we cannot doubt, were interwoven those of many others, with whose instruction, deliverance, or confirmation in the faith, his trials and persecutions might be intimately and indissolubly connected. Not only has science laid her treasures at our feet, but the stores of knowledge gathered and garnered of old by such nations of antiquity as the Babylonian, Egyptian, Chaldean, Hindu, Grecian, and Roman have been opened to us in wonderful ways. "Scofield Reference Notes on 2 Samuel 22:31". THE PERFECTION OF GOD'S WAY. Intermittent faith brings intermittent safety. All this is most mysterious; we do not understand it; we cannot justify the ways of God to man fully. We are called, however, on the present occasion to consider the gain, the incalculable gain of those who trust God. We know far more of the religious teaching and moral ideas of these great peoples than was possible before. God to man fully religious teaching and moral ideas of these, men of,. 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