The Folly of not Depending on God
N. Hill. Psalm 52:6-7 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:… I. WHAT IS UNDERSTOOD BY MAKING GOD OUR STRENGTH. 1. A conviction of our own weakness and danger, and the insufficiency of all created good for our safety and happiness. 2. A strong and lively persuasion of Divine all-sufficiency. 3. A pleasing persuasion of God's gracious willingness to protect and save all those who make Him the object of their trust and dependence. 4. An unreserved surrender of himself, and all that he possesses, into the hands of God. The word we render '" strength "sometimes signifies a fort or castle; and, in this view and connection, imports the soul's betaking itself to God in scenes of danger, and reposing its dependence upon Him for protection from invading evil (Psalm 61:2, 8; Isaiah 33:16; Proverbs 18:10). II. VIEW THE MAN WHO MAKES NOT THE LORD HIS STRENGTH in some of the most interesting scenes and situations. 1. We will suppose him in the enjoyment of health and prosperity, and in possession of as much of this world as heart can wish. But whatever distinction these circumstances may make in his favour, he is neither secure nor happy. There are desires which earthly objects were never designed to satisfy, and there is a chasm in the soul which all created nature cannot fill. Past disappointments will suggest the possibility of future; and the sad change which hath passed on others, once as prosperous as himself, will awaken some painful suspicion that his mountain stands not so strong as never to be moved. He vainly attempts to flee from conscience: but it attends him like his shadow; or, shall I say, like a barbed arrow. He may change the place indeed — but the arrow and the wound remain. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." 2. We will suppose him in scenes of temptation. His dignity and glory is lost: — the freedom in which he prides himself means nothing worthy of the man — in a country that boasts its liberty he is an abject slave, and in constant subjection to the worst of tyrants. 3. We will suppose him lying under the pressure of bodily affliction. The objects on which his trust and dependence were placed cannot prevent one painful sensation, or bring back to its proper state one single nerve. His body and soul are both afflicted: he hath a painful feeling that his dependence was improperly placed; and he is ashamed and afraid to ask of God that strength which he had refused to accept. 4. We will suppose him with death in immediate prospect. His strength is gone — his pulse beats feebly — a mortal paleness hangs upon his countenance. He would fain hope to live, but cannot: he sees death approaching, and trembles at the sight. What he hath most to dread is coming upon him like an armed man, and he hath no strength to resist. The very thing he wants — what alone could sustain him — he hath taken no pains to secure. 5. We will next suppose him in sight of the Judgment-day, and as standing before the bar of that God, whose favour and strength he never sought. Oh! how does he wish for rocks and mountains to fall upon him, to cover him from the face of the Judge, and from the wrath of the Lamb! And "lo! this is the man who made not God his strength." 6. Suppose this unhappy man, who made not God his strength, removed from the bar of Christ, and shut up in everlasting despair. III. SOME THOUGHTS DEDUCIBLE FROM THIS SUBJECT. 1. They act a very unwise and dangerous part, whose dependence is not on God. 2. There are those who are no objects of envy, notwithstanding their prosperous circumstances and the great abundance they possess. 3. An interest in the favour and friendship of God, through Christ, in whom is everlasting strength, should be the object of our warmest wish and daily pursuit. (N. Hill.) Parallel Verses KJV: The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: WEB: The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying,