208. The Three Tenses.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, follow me. And he arose, and followed him. - Matthew 9:9.

GRAMMARIANS have here a lesson in the tenses, and Christians may profitably join in the exercise.

We may consider the past, present, and future, each one by itself. We may also view them in their relation to each other.

Our text points out the delivering mercy of God as at all times working out the safety of his people. The case of Paul did not stand alone; hence he uses the plural, "who delivered us," "we trust."

We shall take the words out of the apostle's mouth and apply them to our own cases.

I. THE TEXT SUGGESTS THREE TRAINS Of THOUGHT.

l. Memory tells of deliverance s in the past:

From violent death. In Paul's case, "so great a death" may mean death by fierce mobs or by the emperor.

From our death in sin: "So great a death" indeed.

From fierce despair when under conviction.

From total overthrow when tempted by Satan.

From faintness under daily tribulation.

From destruction by slander and the like.

The Lord has most graciously delivered us hitherto. Let us express our gratitude.

2. Observation calls attention to present deliverance.

By the good hand of the Lord, we are at this time preserved—

From unseen dangers to life.

From the subtle assaults of Satan.

From the rampant errors of the times.

From inbred sin and natural corruption.

From the sentence of death within and from the greater danger of self-trust. See the preceding verse.

Our present standing is wholly due to the grace of God, and, trusting in that grace, we may indulge a happy confidence.

3. Expectation looks out of the window upon the future.

Faith rests alone in God, "in whom we trust," and through him, she looks for future deliverance—

From all future common trials.

From coming losses, afflictions, and sicknesses which may be coming upon us.

From the infirmities and wants of age. From the peculiar glooms of death.

This expectation makes us march on with cheerfulness.

II. THE TEXT SUPPLIES THREE LINES OF ARGUMENT.

That the Lord will preserve us to the end is most sure. We can say of him, "In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us."

1. From the Lord's beginning to deliver, we argue that he will yet deliver, for:

There was no reason in us for his beginning to love us. If his love arises out of his own nature, it will continue.

He has obtained no fresh knowledge. He foreknew all our misbehaviors; hence, there is no reason for casting us off.

The reason which moved him at first is operating now, and none better can be required.

2. From the Lord's continuing to deliver, we argue that he will yet deliver, for:

His deliverances have been so many.

They have displayed such wisdom and power.

They have come to us when we have been so unworthy.

They have continued in such an unbroken line that we feel sure he will never leave nor forsake us.

3. From the Lord himself, "in whom we trust," we argue that he will yet deliver, for:

He is as loving and strong now as aforetime.

He will be the same in the future.

His purpose never changes, and it is to his glory to complete what he has begun. Verily, "he wilt yet deliver us."

III. THE TEXT IS OPEN TO THREE INFERENCES.

1. We infer that we shall always be so in danger as to need to be delivered: wherefore, we are not high-minded, but fear.

2. We infer our constant need of God's own interposition. He alone has met our case in the past, and he only can meet it in the future; wherefore, we would ever abide near our Lord.

3. We infer that our whole life should be filled with the praise of God, who, for past, present, and future, is our Deliverer.