Thomas Charles, 1838

Relying upon God's power and faithfulness to keep us in the midst of temptations, is the only way to obtain strength against them. All my best resolutions and determinations as to watchfulness, have often proved ineffectual, weak, and feeble in the hour of trial. But relying upon God's faithfulness, "that according to your day, so shall your strength be," and that "his grace is," and shall be, "sufficient for me"—this has never disappointed me. In one way or other I have always found a way of escape, but often in a way unexpected and unthought of.

There is no peace, until we can see ourselves safe from the workings of inward corruption, and outward temptations, in the hands of God—exclusive of everything we are or can do. The Lord thinks on those who are poor and needy, and is their help and deliverer. Psalm 40.17. And though his "enemies may be lively and strong"—yet the Lord will make more haste to help them, is stronger, and must prevail. Psalm 38.19-22. Faith in the living God opposes lively enemies; and to "the Lord strong and mighty"—it looks for help against strong enemies.

As God is faithful and true, this faith must always prevail, for the Lord is a very present help in times of trouble to those who trust in him—not help at a distance, which we may have cause to fear will come too late, but a present help against present evil. Psalm 46.1. This is the life of faith, and the Christian's warfare; he has present help every day—against present daily evil. Help will never come too late to those who by faith look and wait for it.

David speaking of the Church's safety says, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her and that right early". Help may seem to us to be delayed, but it will surely come, "right early"—in sufficient time to bring us effectual deliverance. It will be when it comes, a morning help also. The Lord will act vigorously, as a man goes to his work in the morning with alacrity, with fresh spirits and renewed strength; and having the day before him, we may well expect something from him before night. So the Lord works for his people—he appears for their relief in good time, and carries on his work with effectual vigor, until the whole is finished.

With future evils we have nothing to do; we have no more to do with the evils of tomorrow, than with the evils that will be a thousand years hence. Our danger always is from present evil. Against this the Lord is a present help, bringing us deliverance "right early". May my trust be in him alone!

It will be a help manifest and evident to all, "right early", or in the face of the morning—clear and evident to all, that God may be glorified thereby. Our safety and his glory always go together, and he will bring help and deliverance in due time to secure our safety, and in that moment also which will show forth his glory most conspicuously, "in the face of the morning"—or of the sun.

So was the deliverance of the Israelites at the Red Sea; timely help was administered to deliver them from their pursuing enemies, and at that moment of time, which served mostly to show forth the glory of God's power, faithfulness, and goodness towards his people—in the face of the morning, he caused the sea to return to his strength.

Let us have a regard to God's glory as well as our own safety, and be contented to wait patiently for deliverance, until "his hour is come, when the Father shall be glorified".

Christ's mother was in haste to have a speedy supply of wine; but she fixed the time too soon; "my hour has not yet come", says Christ. He meant to grant her request, and give them a supply; but much depended upon the time when this supply was granted, and the miracle was wrought, to carry full conviction into the hearts of all present—of his divine mission, authority, and power. For their good therefore he would reprove his mother, and wait until the hour was come, which would at the same time bring them timely supply, and show forth his glory more illustriously.

Thus the Lord often deals with his people. They must wait patiently and quietly for his salvation, until his hour is come to glorify himself; but he will never forget their safety, though he principally respects his own glory. His hour will never come too late, but always in due time.

Four thousand years passed before the long expected hour came, when the seed of the woman was to bruise the serpent's head; but in the fullness of time God sent forth his son, made of a woman—in full time to save his people, to bruise the serpent's head, and to glorify himself. He came right early, in the face of the morning; his salvation was prepared or effected before the face of all people; he came forth in the morning, strong and vigorous for work, he traveled in the greatness of his strength, until the work, great and arduous, was all finished. Let us wait for him, he will come and will not tarry.