Psalm 92:12-15

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Well may we be filled with gratitude, while we contemplate the wonders of creation and of providence, verses 1-5; but deeper far are the wonders of redeeming love, secured as they are to the saints by the immutable attributes of God. “A brutish man, indeed, knows them not; nor does a fool understand them, verse 6,” but those who “are anointed with that heavenly unction which teaches them all things, 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27,” have an insight into them, and can attest the truth of the assertions of the Psalmist, while he declares,

I. The privileges of the righteous.

“The righteous” are indeed highly favored of the Lord. To them, amidst innumerable other blessings are secured,

1. Stability.

“The palm-tree and the cedar” are trees of most majestic growth; the one retaining its foliage all the year, and the other pre-eminent in respect of strength and durability. And like these shall the righteous “flourish;” nothing shall despoil them of their beauty, nothing shall subvert their souls; They may indeed be assailed with many storms and tempests; but they shall not be cast down; or, if cast down, shall not be destroyed, Job 5:19. Psalm 34:19. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10. Being once “planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God,” never withering for lack of nourishment, Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8, nor ever decaying by the lapse of years Isaiah 65:22.

2. Fruitfulness.

The Gospel, wherever it comes, brings forth fruit, Colossians 1:6; and all who receive it aright become “fat and flourishing,” “being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God, Philippians 1:11. For every season in the year they have appropriate fruit Ezekiel 47:12; and even to “old age,” when other trees decay, these retain their vigor and fertility.

There may, indeed, be a difference in the fruits produced by them at the different periods of life; that of youth being more beauteous to the eye; and that of old age, more pleasant to the taste, as savoring less of crudity, and as being more richly flavored through the influence of many ripening suns.

“The fruits of the Spirit,” indeed, are seen in both, Galatians 5:22-23; but in one, the fruit of activity and zeal; and in the other, a patient waiting for the coming of their Lord, 1 Corinthians 1:7. To the last hour of their existence they shall bring forth fruit unto God, Hosea 14:5-7, and God shall be “glorified in them, Isaiah 61:3.” Never shall their leaf wither or their fruit fail, until they are transplanted to the Paradise above!

The confidence with which David announces to the righteous their privileges, will lead us to consider,

II. Their security for the enjoyment of their privileges.

God has solemnly engaged to confer these blessings upon them.

From all eternity did he enter into covenant with his dear Son, that “if he would make his soul an offering for sin, he would see a seed, who should prolong their days; and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand, Isaiah 53:10.” The terms being accepted by the Lord Jesus, a people were “given to him;” with an assurance that not one of them should ever be lost, John 17:2; John 17:6; John 17:9-12; John 17:24. Accordingly, we find innumerable promises made to them, that “God will keep their feet, 1 Samuel 2:9,” and carry on his work in their hearts, Philippians 1:6, and “preserve them blameless unto his heavenly kingdom, 1 Corinthians 1:8. 1 Thessalonians 5:23.”

From respect to these engagements, he will assuredly fulfill his Word.

Not one jot or tittle of his Word shall fail Isaiah 54:9-10. His children may, indeed, by their transgressions, call forth some tokens of his displeasure; yet, though he visits their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes, his loving-kindness will he not utterly take from them, nor allow his faithfulness to fail. His covenant will he not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of his lips; for once he has sworn by his holiness, that he will not lie unto David, Psalm 89:30-35. Having thus pledged his truth and faithfulness in their behalf, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, and engaged never to leave them until he has accomplished in them and for them all that he has promised, Hebrews 13:5-6, he considers his own honor as involved in their happiness, Ezekiel 39:25; and would account himself “unrighteous,” if he left so much as one of them to perish! Hebrews 6:10. But “he cannot lie, Titus 1:2;” and, therefore, all who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them, may have the most abundant consolation, Hebrews 6:17-18,” in an assured expectation that “he will perfect that which concerns them, Psalm 138:8,” and “keep them, by his own power, unto everlasting salvation! 1 Peter 1:5.”

As comforting as this Scripture is, it needs to be very carefully guarded from abuse. Permit me, then, to address myself,

1. To those who are indulging in undue and carnal security.

Is there anyone that will dare to say, ‘I cannot fall; or, if I fall, I cannot but rise again; for, if God were to leave me to perish, he would be unfaithful and unjust?’

I must reply to such a one, ‘You are on the very border and precipice of Hell!’ Who are you, that you should not fall, when David, and Solomon, and Peter fell? Or, who are you, that you must be raised again—when Demas, as far as we know, fell forever?

Have you been up to Heaven, and seen your name written in the Book of Life?

Have you inspected that covenant which was made between the Father and the Son, and seen that you were among the number of those who were given to Christ before the foundation of the world? “The Lord knows those who are his;” but who besides him possesses that knowledge? What do you know, except as far as causes can be discerned by their effects? You have experienced what appears to be a work of grace in your soul. Be thankful; but be not over confident. Thousands have deceived themselves; and you may have done the same.

Could it be infallibly ascertained that you were given to Christ before the foundation of the world, and, in consequence of God’s engagement with him, were effectually called to a state of union with him—then we will acknowledge that none should ever pluck you out of the Father’s hands, John 10:27-29; for “his gifts and calling are without repentance, Romans 11:29.” But, as this can never be ascertained but by a special revelation from God, I must say to you, and would say, if you were the most eminent Christian upon earth, “Do not be high-minded, but fear, Romans 11:20.” It is certain that multitudes of most distinguished professors have apostatized from their faith; and such may be your end; yes, and will, if your confidence be so daring and presumptuous; and, if this should be your unhappy fate, we shall not for one moment question the fidelity of God; but shall say of you, as John did of the apostates in his day, “They went out from us; but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us, 1 John 2:19.”

2. To those who have actually backslidden from God.

Are there none of this character among us? Would to God there were not! But look back, I beg you, and see whether it is still with you as it was in “the day of your espousals, Jeremiah 2:2.” Have none of you “left your first love, Revelation 2:4.”

Time was, perhaps, when the concerns of your souls were of such importance in your eyes, that you thought you could never do enough to promote their eternal interests. The Word of God and prayer were then, as it were, your daily food; you walked with God all the day long. To maintain communion with him was your highest delight; you dreaded everything that might draw you from him; your bodies and souls were, like living sacrifices, offered to him daily upon his altar.

But how is it with you now? Perhaps at this time any formal service will suffice to satisfy the conscience; the duties of the closet are become irksome to you; the world has regained an ascendant over your minds; and evil tempers, which once appeared subdued and mortified, display themselves on every occasion, to the destruction of your own peace, and to the annoyance of all around you.

Ah! think what dishonor you do to God, and what cause of triumph you give to his enemies. Through your misconduct, “the way of truth is evil spoken of,” and “the very name of God is blasphemed.” But His word is true, whether men stumble over it or not; and, whatever a profane world may imagine, “He is a Rock; and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

But do not delude yourselves with notions about electing love, or God’s faithfulness to his promises. The only promises in which you have any part, are those which are made to weeping penitents, “Repent, then, without delay, and do your first works, Revelation 2:5;” else “you shall be filled with your own ways, Proverbs 14:14,” and reap forever the bitter fruit of your own devices, Proverbs 1:31; Proverbs 22:8.

2. To those who are holding on in the narrow way.

You are living witnesses for God, that he is both merciful and “upright.” You know why it is that you have been preserved. You know that you would have fallen, even as others, if he had not upheld you in his everlasting arms! Give Him the glory, then; and cast yourselves altogether upon him. Beg of him to water your roots, and to make you “fruitful in every good work.” Entreat him, not only “not to turn away from you, but to put his fear in your hearts, that you may never depart from him! Jeremiah 32:40.” So may you look forward to all the occurrences of life with a joyful hope, that you shall be preserved even to the end, and be “more than conquerors through Him who loved you, Romans 8:35-39.”

The proper medium to be observed, is that between presumptuous hope and servile fear. A filial confidence is your high privilege; and you may go forward with joy, knowing in whom you have believed, that He is both able and willing to keep that which you have committed to him! 2 Timothy 1:12,” and that he will be eternally glorified in the salvation of your souls!

Charles Simeon