Restraining Grace by John McDuff
Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat,
but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. Luke
22, 31, 32 What a scene does this unfold!
Satan tempting, Jesus praying. Satan sifting, Jesus pleading. The strong man assailing, the
stronger than the strong beating him back. Believer, here is the
past history and present secret of your safety in the midst of
temptation. An interceding Savior was at
your side, saying to every threatening wave, Thus far shall you go,
and no farther. God often permits His people
to be on the very verge of the precipice, to remind them of
their own weakness, but never farther than the brink. The restraining
hand and grace of omnipotence is ready to rescue them. Although
he stumbles, yet he shall not be utterly cast down. And why? For the Lord upholds him with
His right hand. The wolf may be prowling for
his prey, but what can he do when the Almighty Shepherd is
always there, tending with a watchful eye that neither slumbers nor
sleeps? Who cannot subscribe to the testimony,
When my foot slipped, your mercy, O Lord, held me up? who can look
back on his past pilgrimage and fail to see it crowded with Ebenezers
with this inscription, You have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. My soul, where
would you have been this day, had you not been kept by the
power of God? Hold me up and I shall be safe. Psalm 119, 117.