LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
The mountain stands strong only by divine favor, for all that anyone has is given by God, and human security and strength fail when He hides His face and withdraws His sustaining presence. To feel that the mountain stands sure is false security, thinking one's standing firm and secure when it is not. No position is so firmly established that it cannot be shaken.
That false security grows when outward surroundings color religious experience, as when preaching seems blessed and labors are appreciated, while the heart is not kept humble and lowly. Then the mind is tossed to and fro, feelings are swayed by circumstances, and weakness of character appears under temptation and trial. Such self-confidence is the place of greatest danger, where the feet begin to slide. Life is lived in an enemy's land, where foes lurk behind every bush and rock to surprise those off guard.
Self-confidence opens the life to temptations coming one after another, whose influence is so imperceptible that unless kept by divine power life and character are corrupted by the spirit of the world and fail to carry out God's purpose. Safety lies in sensing danger, realizing weakness, being small in one's own eyes, and leaning heavily on God. He is the true source of strength and can accomplish His work through the weakest instruments. That safety requires overcoming defects of character, improving abilities to His glory, and living by constant prayer and religious duties as daily food from God's table. It means watching unto prayer with earnest persevering longing at the mercy-seat, so that strength is received from the Living Vine and the Spirit lifts up a standard when the enemy comes.
The mountain stands strong only by divine favor, for all that anyone has is given by God, and human security and strength fail when He hides His face and withdraws His sustaining presence. To feel that the mountain stands sure is false security, thinking one's standing firm and secure when it is not. No position is so firmly established that it cannot be shaken.
That false security grows when outward surroundings color religious experience, as when preaching seems blessed and labors are appreciated, while the heart is not kept humble and lowly. Then the mind is tossed to and fro, feelings are swayed by circumstances, and weakness of character appears under temptation and trial. Such self-confidence is the place of greatest danger, where the feet begin to slide. Life is lived in an enemy's land, where foes lurk behind every bush and rock to surprise those off guard.
Self-confidence opens the life to temptations coming one after another, whose influence is so imperceptible that unless kept by divine power life and character are corrupted by the spirit of the world and fail to carry out God's purpose. Safety lies in sensing danger, realizing weakness, being small in one's own eyes, and leaning heavily on God. He is the true source of strength and can accomplish His work through the weakest instruments. That safety requires overcoming defects of character, improving abilities to His glory, and living by constant prayer and religious duties as daily food from God's table. It means watching unto prayer with earnest persevering longing at the mercy-seat, so that strength is received from the Living Vine and the Spirit lifts up a standard when the enemy comes.