Past Experiences Strengthen Faith
“David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”—1 Sam. 17:37
Faith, by ancient writers, has been styled ‘the queen of graces.’ As such she displays her dignity, by disdaining to consult any power below the King of saints. When she calls in reason and reflection upon past experience, it is to give all the glory to her sovereign Lord. Thus David makes confession of faith in his king. What was the gigantic size, the formidable appearance, and the haughty threatenings of his Philistine antagonist? To the eye of his faith, all were mean and contemptible; for he saw him that was invisible: he fixed his confidence on the invisible power of the Omnipotent. He considered not himself: ‘he was strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.’ He had sweet experience of the truth of his Lord: ‘To him that believeth, all things are possible.’ Mark 9:23. He had seen the power of the Lord in delivering him from the fierceness of a lion, and from the strength of a bear; and therefore says, not with a perhaps or peradventure, but absolutely in full confidence of faith, ‘The Lord hath delivered, and he will deliver.’ And the history fully assures us, that according to his faith so it was.
Now ‘whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning.’ Rom. 15:4. Here is a lesson of instruction, from which disciples of Jesus may learn the doctrine of self-despair. Thine enemies are fierce as lions, strong as bears, potent and formidable as Goliah of Gath. To know thou hast neither might nor strength, and to despair of victory from thyself, is thy truest wisdom. This humbling lesson proud nature is averse to, but it is profitable to the spirit. By faith we glory in the Lord, and him only. Can I look back to past experience of his grace and power? Can I call to mind, that in such a danger the Lord appeared as my deliverer; at such a time I sweetly experienced the Lord’s power, and triumphed over mine enemies? Therefore I will trust in the Lord, and not be afraid. Past experience encourages future hopes. A tried friend is a sure friend. To forget past mercies is ungrateful; to bury our Saviour’s former dealings with our souls in oblivion, is dishonourable to him; not to consider Jesus as the only hope, and live upon him day by day in the exercise of faith, is to live below our privilege. Never arraign his love, because he suffers thine enemies to put on a dreadful form, and attack thee with violence. This is to draw thy faith into exercise, that thy soul may have larger experience of his love, and deliverance. Thus saith the Lord, ‘Be not afraid nor dismayed, by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ 2 Chron. 20:15.
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
