by John Newton (Preached April 30, 1775)
‘Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.’ 2 Samuel 23:5
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 71:1–24
Some, I doubt not, have their desires to this covenant, but guilt and fear keep them. Satan says as Jehu [2 Kings 9:18], ‘What hast thou to do with peace? If the covenant blessings were for you, the Lord would not let you wait so long without comfort.’ O resist that enemy. Put yourself into the hands of Jesus; his compassions are infinite, and he shall exalt you in due time. Did you ever hear of any who trusted in him and perished? How could you ever have had a desire towards him unless he had put it into your hearts?
Believers—rejoice in this covenant. Walk about this Sion, consider her foundations and all the towers thereof and mark well the bulwark. See how it is fixed upon an immovable rock, guarded by almighty power, encompassed with infinite love, and enriched with all desirable blessings, and then with a holy indifference to all the trials of the present hour, rejoice and say: Although my house be not so with God, yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and sure.…
FOR MEDITATION: [for Easter Sunday 16 April 1775]
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our GOD!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for his own abode:
On the rock of ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded
Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.
Newton, J., & Rouse, M. (2006). 365 Days with Newton (p. 131). Leominster, UK: Day One Publications.