The Conditions and Certainty of Obtaining God's Deliverance
Thomas Lynford, A.M. 2 Chronicles 20:17 You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you… I. That since our enemies' designs are known to us, WE OUGHT TO SET OURSELVES, THAT IS, MAKE WHAT PROVISION WE CAN AGAINST THEM. II. That having thus set ourselves, we must then STAND STILL, THAT IS, DO NOTHING WHICH IS UNLAWFUL, ALTHOUGH IT BE FOR, OUR OWN PRESERVATION. 1. By doing any unlawful action we deprive ourselves of God's care and protection. 2. By doing anything unlawful we bring a scandal upon our religion. 3. To do evil, although for our own preservation, would be most likely to unsettle and ruin us. When once we break down the fences of duty, who can tell where we shall stop? If we allow ourselves the liberty of doing one sinful act, we may easily be prompted on to commit a thousand. III. REPENTANCE AND AMENDMENT OF LIFE BEING SUPPOSED, WE HASTE ALL REASON TO HOPE THAT WE SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD. 1. Whatever our danger, God hath sufficient power to save and deliver us. 2. This is to be inferred from the design of God's sending judgments upon any nation. (Jeremiah 18:7). (Thomas Lynford, A.M.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. WEB: You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.'"