GOD NEVER FORSAKES

  "For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance" Ps. 94:14

*[This scripture, and those akin to it, must be weighed in an even balance -- No indeed, the Lord will not forsake his people, but on the other side of the scale, it is possible for His people to forsake Him. Thus, the many scriptural admonitions such as that of David given to Solomon: "If thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever."]

No, nor will He cast even so much as one of them. Man has his cast-offs, but God has none; for His choice is unchangeable, and His love is everlasting. None can find out a single person whom God has forsaken after having revealed Himself savingly to him.

This grand truth is mentioned in the psalm to cheer the heart of the afflicted. The Lord chastens His own; but He never forsakes them. The result of the double work of the law and the rod is our instruction, and the fruit of that instruction is a quieting of spirit, a sobriety of mind, out of which comes rest. The ungodly are let alone till the pit is digged into which they will fall and be taken; but the godly are sent to school to be prepared for their glorious destiny hereafter. Judgment will return and finish its work upon the rebels, but it will equally return to vindicate the sincere and godly. Hence we may bear the rod of chastisement with calm submission; it means not anger, but love.

"God may chasten and correct, But He never can neglect; May in faithfulness reprove, But He ne'er can cease to love."

