Bible Studies

A STUDY OF PSALM 27 VERSES 10 TO 12

by GLENN PEASE
01/31/22
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10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

1. If the closest of human relations fails, God will not. They are the last to forsake on earth, but in heaven is one who says he will never leave or forsake us. This can be applied to aborted children who are forsaken by their parents, but theologically we have every reason to believe God takes every aborted child into His home. No forsaken child will be God-forsaken. The innocent will not suffer the loss of God’s best. The sad facts of life are that many children born with defects are forsaken by parents. Those with aids are forsaken around the world. When Israel fell into deep idolatry they would burn their children on an altar to Baal, and God in anger had to send his wrath down on them, but we can be assured that he did not abandon those who were so brutally murdered by their own parents.

2. Henry wrote, "That he would help and succour him when all other helps and succours failed him (v. 10): "When my father and my mother forsake me, the nearest and dearest friends I have in the world, from whom I may expect most relief and with most reason, when they die, or are at a distance from me, or are disabled to help me in time of need, or are unkind to me or unmindful of me, and will not help me, when I am as helpless as ever poor orphan was that was left fatherless and motherless, then I know the Lord will take me up, as a poor wandering sheep is taken up, and saved from perishing." His time to help those that trust in him is when all other helpers fail, when it is most for his honour and their comfort. With him the fatherless find mercy. This promise has often been fulfilled in the letter of it. Forsaken orphans have been taken under the special care of the divine Providence, which has raised up relief and friends for them in a way that one would not have expected. God is a surer and better friend than our earthly parents are or can be."

3. Spurgeon, "When my father and my mother forsake me. These dear relations will be the last to desert me, but if the milk of human kindness should dry up even from their breasts, there is a Father who never forgets. Some of the greatest of the saints have been cast out by their families, and persecuted for righteousness' sake. Then the Lord will take me up. Will espouse my cause, will uplift me from my woes, will carry me in his arms, will elevate me above my enemies, will at last receive me to his eternal dwelling place."

4. Calvin wrote, "The purport of the whole is this: However inclined by nature earthly parents are to help their children, nay, though they should endeavor to cherish them with the greatest ardor of affection, yet should affection be wholly extinguished in the earth, God would fulfill the duty both of father and mother to his people. From which it follows, that we basely undervalue the grace of God, if our faith rise not above all the affections of nature; for sooner shall the laws of nature be overturned a hundred times, than God shall fail his people."

5. Sir richard Baker wrote, "When my father and my mother forsake me. It is indeed the nature of all living creatures, though never so tender of their young ones, yet when they are grown to a ripeness of age and strength, to turn them off to shift for themselves; and even a father and a mother, as tender as they are, have yet somewhat of this common nature in them; for while their children are young they lead them by the hand, but when they are grown up they leave them to their own legs, and if they chance to fall let them rise as they can. But God even then takes his children up, for he knows of what they are made; he knows their strength must be as well supported as their weakness be assisted; he knows they must as well be taken up when they fall, as be held up when they stand." This is saying that though we become independant of our parents and no longer seek their aid and guidance, it does not change with our heavenly Father, for he will always be there to guide, for we are always dependant upon him, even when not on our parents.

6. In II Tim. 4:16-18 we see Paul having an experience that parallels this of David.
"At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Paul would have loved the song, "Where could I go but to the Lord."

7. This can be a literal experience in the lives of many that they will be forsaken by their parents. Parents can even become enemies and reject their children to the point of wanting them to be destroyed. In Mark 13:12-13 Jesus says to his disciples, "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." For a double witness to this we read in Luke 21:16 "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death." This is radical rejection by those who should love you, but God will never do this, and so when all others forsake you, you can count on him to receive you. David did not have anything like this, but when Samuel came to anoint one of his sons as king, David was left in the field and all the other brothers were at the feast to be chosen. David was forgotten, for he was the youngest, and he seemed irrelevant, but he was God's choice to be the next king.

8. David had received the kiss of God when those who should have kissed him, did not even miss him. They missed him, but God kissed him. "At age 16 Andor Foldes was already a skilled pianist, but he was experiencing a troubled year. In the midst of the young Hungarian’s personal struggles, one of the most renowned pianists of the day came to Budapest. Emil von Sauer was famous not only for his abilities; he was also the last surviving pupil of the great Franz Liszt. Von Sauer requested that Foldes play for him. Foldes obliged with some of the most difficult works of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. When he finished, Von Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. “My son,” he said, “when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, ‘Take good care of this kiss—it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play.’ I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage, but now I feel you deserve it.”

9. Steve Zeisler wrote, "Consider David's life. His father didn't think enough of him to invite him to meet Samuel on the day the prophet came to sacrifice. Seven sons were brought before him and Samuel finally had to ask, ''Isn't there another?" ("Oh, you mean the boy out with the sheep? I forgot about him. I do have an eighth son, don't I?") Later, David would offer himself in service to King Saul, whom he cared for, only to find that all his service and concern generated such a rage in Saul that in fits of insanity Saul tried to kill him. David developed a friendship with Jonathan that is as beautiful, deep and impressive as any friendship I have ever read about, yet David lost Jonathan through death. Human beings cannot finally be counted upon because they die. David lost a baby, Bathsheba's son, whom he loved, to death. His own son led a rebellion against him and tried to kill him. David's wife ridiculed him in public. He learned the hard way that even the people he should have been able to count on could not supply the kind of intimacy he longed for. So in these verses he is saying, "Lord, I am deeply lonely. Please don't forsake me.

When we finally learn what life is about all of us need to recognize that people will let us down. What we long for deep within ourselves only God can meet. God may have given you the gift of a loving wife or husband, of children whom you are close to, of good friends who have stood with you over a long time. You ought to be very thankful for those things. But even the best human relationship is going to fall short. Here David is on his knees, seeing life as it really is and saying, "Lord, I am so hurt. I am in such need. If you forsake me I am utterly forsaken.'"

9B. Robert Sanderson gives us some other illustrations of being forsaken by parents. He wrote, "When Ishmael's mother, despairing of his life, had forsaken him, and laid him down gasping (his last, for ought she knew or could do to help it), in the wilderness, the Lord took him up; he opened a new spring of water, and opened her eyes to see it, and so the child was preserved. Genesis 21. When Moses' parents had also forsaken him (for they durst not stand by him any longer), and laid him down among the rushy flags, the Lord took him up too. He provided him of a saviour, the king's own daughter, and of a nurse the child's own mother -- and so he was preserved too."

10. The bad news is that it is possible to be God forsaken.
forsaken

nothing in this world awaits
my soul of broken china plates
or poisoned mind with jumbled states...

a barren life, lie here alone
no friends to call, so dead the tone
the silence echoes, rattles bone...

and stars have sung to all the rest
but heart of stone that satan blessed
was never meant to pass the test...

born into hell, death calls me sweet
it comes on black and bleeding feet
i pull it here, to my retreat...

so left to sit here asking why
tears burning skin, break down and cry
forsaken, crawl away and die...

11. Many parents do forsake their children by assuming that they as little children are not mature enough to know the truths that God has revealed in his Word, and of their need for a Savior. Don't forsake your little ones, for God loves them from birth and even before.

12. An unknown author wrote, "In his famous Systematic Theology, Angus H. Strong concludes that since Christ “died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15 – see also Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2), no one is exempt, no matter how young. And since salvation is appropriated by faith in those old enough to do so, there must be some other way in which the saving power of Christ’s death is transferred to those too young to have personal faith.

This is consistent with another line of evidence: the Holy Lord relates intimately with babies:

Psalm 22:10 . . . from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Psalms 71:6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. . . .

Isaiah 46:3 Listen to me, O house of Jacob, . . you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.

God’s covenant with the Israelites was ratified by circumcision, which usually focused not on those old enough to believe or commit themselves to God, but on eight day old babies (Genesis 17:10-14; Leviticus 12:3).

If the Old Testament speaks of tiny babies having a special relationship with God, we find something even more startling in the New Testament. Of John the Baptist we read:

Luke 1:15 . . . he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.

Luke 1:41,44 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. . . . As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy."

13. The point is, masses of babies are forsaken by abortion or by abandonement, but God still has their best interest in mind,and these babies will be saved. See my study on the question WILL ALL INFANTS BE SAVED. It is on Scribd.com

11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

1. There is no end to the wrong ways we can go, and there are enemies who will jump on every wrong way we choose to condemn us. David had many enemies and critics, and he desperately needed the wisdom of God to make wise choices. The crooked paths were everywhere, and he needed light to follow the straight path the Lord wanted him to follow. David is showing his humbleness and willingness to admit that he did not have all the answers. He did not always know the right and wise path to take, and so he pleads for God's guidance. Who of us dares to say we do not need such guidance? This should be one of the most common prayers of every believers life. Spurgeon comments, "Help is here sought as well as direction; we not only need a map of the way, but a guide to assist us in the journey."

1B. Barnes in referring to the oppressors wrote, "Here it refers to those who would treat him harshly or cruelly; and he prays that God would show him how to act in view of the fact that he was surrounded by such foes. They were harsh and cruel; they sought to overcome him; they laid snares for him. He knew not how to act so as to escape from them, and he, therefore, pleads that God would instruct and guide him."

1C. Morgan sees this as a prayer for guidance to avoid traps set by his enemies. He wrote, "He begins with praise and then comes prayer. As the danger becomes more real he pours out his petitions. Enemies lie in wait to ambush him and he wants God to lead him in a safe path where the foes cannot easily catch him unaware. Lead me in a way to avoid the traps set for me."

2. Spurgeon wrote, "Teach me thy way, O Lord. He does not pray to be indulged with his own way, but to be informed as to the path in which the righteous Jehovah would have him walk. This prayer evinces an humble sense of personal ignorance, great teachableness of spirit, and cheerful obedience of heart. Lead me in a plain path. Help is here sought as well as direction; we not only need a map of the way, but a guide to assist us in the journey. A path is here desired which shall be open, honest, straightforward, in opposition to the way of cunning, which is intricate, tortuous, dangerous. Good men seldom succeed in fine speculations and doubtful courses; plain simplicity is the best spirit for an heir of heaven: let us leave shifty tricks and political expediencies to the citizens of the world--the New Jerusalem owns plain men for its citizens. Esau was a cunning hunter, Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. Because of mine enemies. These will catch us if they can, but the way of manifest, simple honesty is safe from their rage. It is wonderful to observe how honest simplicity baffles and outwits the craftiness of wickedness. Truth is wisdom. "Honesty is the best policy.”

3. Teach me thy way, O Lord. Having compared himself to an exposed, deserted infant, adopted by God, he anon fairly asks to be shown how to walk. He asks the grace of being able to observe all his holy commandments, which he never loses sight of through the whole one hundred and fifty Psalms. What else could he do? when it was the only path to that heavenly house of God, which he had just declared to be the only wish and desire of his heart. Robert Bellarmine (Cardinal), 1542-1621.

4. Lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. If a man travelling in the King's highway, be robbed between sun and sun, satisfaction is recoverable upon the county where the robbery was made; but if he takes his journey in the night, being an unseasonable time, then it is at his own peril, he must take what falls. So, if a man keep in God's ways, he shall be sure of God's protection; but if he stray out of them, he exposes himself to danger. Robert Skinner (Bishop), 1636.

5. Because of mine enemies. If once a man commence a professor, the eyes of all are upon him; and well they may, for his profession in the world is a separation from the world. Believers condemn those by their lives who condemn them by their lips. Righteous David saw many who were waiting to triumph in his mistakes. Hence the more they watched, the more he prayed: "Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies." It may be rendered, because of mine observers. Christian, if you dwell in the open tent of licentiousness, the wicked will not walk backward, like modest Shem and Japheth, to cover your shame: but they will walk forward, like cursed Ham, to publish it. Thus they make use of your weakness as a plea for their wickedness. Men are merciless in their censures of Christians; they have no sympathy for their infirmity: while God weighs them in more equal scales, and says, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." While a saint is a dove in the eyes of God, he is only a raven in the estimation of sinners. William Secker.

6. Calvin wrote, “Teach me thy way, O Jehovah! Many think that David here requests that God would guide him by his Spirit, lest he should surpass his enemies in acting violently and wickedly. This doctrine is, no doubt, very useful, but it does not seem to agree with the scope of the passage. It is a simpler interpretation, in my opinion, to consider that David desires, in order to escape the snares and violence of his enemies, that God would extend to him his hand, and safely conduct him, so as to give a happy issue to his affairs. He sets the right path in opposition to the difficulties and impediments which are in places which are rough, and of difficult access, to overcome which he was unequal, unless God undertook the office of a guide to lead him. But he who thus desires to commit himself to the safeguard and protection of God, must first renounce crafty and wicked devices. We must not expect that God, who promises to grant a happy issue only to the single in heart, and those who trust in his faithfulness, will bless crooked and wicked counsels."

7. Gill, "..and lead me in a plain path: as the path of truth is to those that understand and find knowledge; and as the way of holiness is, even to such who in other things are fools, but shall not err therein, Proverbs 8:9, Isaiah 35:8; or the path of righteousness, in which Christ, the wisdom of God, and shepherd of his people, leads them, Psalm 23:3; because of mine enemies, or "those that observe me"; who eyed him as Saul did, 1 Samuel 18:9; and waited for his halting, as Jeremiah's familiars did for him; and lay in wait to deceive him, and lead him out of the way, as false teachers do; and come upon him at an unawares, and take every advantage against him, as Satan does."

8. David Humpal, "Another key to overcoming fear is a willingness to be taught. The psalmist says, "teach me your way, O Lord." Is this your attitude? Are you willing to learn from God? Sometimes we have to learn new thinking patterns, we have to be instructed by God’s spirit in how not to react in panic. But we can only make progress if we are a willing student. If we insist on responding to turmoil the same way every time, we may spend years crippled by fear. We need be willing to learn a new way to respond to problems. Let us be good students and allow God to teach us."

9. Dale Johnsen wrote, "Now remember, David was a genius. He was utterly brilliant, with an I.Q. of 150-something. He had the musical talent of a Beethoven, the poetry-writing skill of a Shakespeare, the hand-eye coordination of a Babe Ruth, and the military savvy of a George Patton, a combination of abilities that has never once reappeared in all history. Yet King David is saying in this psalm, "With all my ability, with all that I've been given, I cannot handle life by myself. It's too much for me." His prayer to God is, "Lord, You need to make a level path for me, because if You don't, I'll fall. I'm not smart enough, I'm not strong enough, I'm not able to carve my way through this world by myself. Create a level path for me, Lord." He's saying the same thing his son Solomon would later write in Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Do you get the idea? Following God's way is the key to straightening life's path."

9B. If we are really open to learning like David we will be able to learn lessons from little children and even dogs. I love this story of a veterinarian who wrote, "Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

10. An unknown author wrote, "Among my favorite hymns is one based on these verses. It was written in 1919 by a music teacher named Benjamin Ramsey near the end of his life:

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!

Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!

Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;

Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!

When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!

In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,

In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!

Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!

Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,

Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!

11. Arthur Pink shows us how we get our answer to this prayer. He wrote, "God, in His infinite condescension and transcendent grace, has given us His Word for this very purpose, so that we need not stumble along blindly, ignorant of what pleases or displeases Him, but that we might know His mind. That divine Word is given to us not simply for information, but to regulate our conduct, to enlighten our minds, and to mold our hearts. The Word supplies us with an unerring chart by which to steer through the dangerous sea of life. If we sincerely and diligently follow, it will deliver us from disastrous rocks and submerged reefs, and direct us safely to the heavenly harbor. That Word has all the instructions we need for every problem, every emergency we may be called upon to face. That Word has been given to us "that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:17). How thankful we should be that the Triune God has favored us with such a Word.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps. 119:105). The metaphor used here is taken from a man walking along a dangerous road on a dark night, in urgent need of a lantern to show him where to walk safely and comfortably, to avoid injury and destruction. The same figure is used again in the New Testament. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place" (2 Pet. 1:19). The dark place is this world, and it is only as we take heed to the Word, to the light God has given us, that we shall be able to perceive and avoid "the broad road which leadeth to destruction," and discern the narrow way which alone "leadeth unto Life."

12. All too often we are not open to God's leading like David is here, but are more like the man in this story-"An old sailor repeatedly got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it. The next time he went out in his boat, he followed their advice and took the compass with him. But as usual he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally he was rescued by his friends. Disgusted and impatient with him, they asked, "Why didn't you use that compass we gave you? You could have saved us a lot of trouble!" The sailor responded, "I didn't dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kept on pointing southeast." That old sailor was so certain he knew which was was north that he stubbornly tried to force his own personal persuasion on his compass. Unable to do so, he tossed it aside as worthless and failed to benefit from the guidance it offered." How often we toss the Bible aside and go our own way with our own opinions of what is right.

13. Steve Prieb wrote,
He does not lead me year by year,
Nor even day by day;
But step by step my path unfolds,
My Lord directs my way.
Tomorrow's plans I do not know;
I only know this minute.
But he will say, "This is the way,
By faith now walk ye in it."
And I am glad that it is so,
Today's enough to bear;
And when tomorrow comes, his grace
Shall far exceed its care.
What need to worry then, or fret?
The God who gave his Son
Holds all my moments in his hand
And gives them one by one.

14. Someone put together these verses that are much the same theme as David's prayer here.

Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

Psalms 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalms 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Psalms 143:8-10 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Oh Lord, make your guidance to us so plain, that we cannot mistake it; so clear that we must be fools to forsake it. Teach us not only what your will is, but how to fulfill it in our lives. Lead us, Lord, each day, and guard our paths from those enemies that would seek to cause us to stumble in our walks with you.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.

1. David faced problems he knew he could not handle on his own. He worst nightmare was being left to face his foes alone with no one to help him. They were clever liars, and violent, and he feared for his reputation and his life. He knew he was sunk if God would forsake him. He pleas for assurance that God will never leave him or forsake him, for if he ever falls from the hands of God into the hands of his foes he will be eater alive. The very thought of it fills him with fear even though he has assurance that God would never let that happen. You can have a confident faith in God, and yet still go through the emotions of fear at the thought of being abandoned by God.

2. Spurgeon, "Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies; or I should be like a victim cast to the lions, to be rent in pieces and utterly devoured. God be thanked that our foes cannot have their way with us, or Smithfield would soon be on a blaze again. For false witnesses are risen up against me. Slander is an old fashioned weapon out of the armoury of hell, and is still in plentiful use; and no matter how holy a man may be, there will be some who will defame him. "Give a dog an ill name, and hang him; "but glory be to God, the Lord's people are not dogs, and their ill names do not injure them. And such as breathe out cruelty. It is their vital breath to hate the good; they cannot speak without cursing them; such was Paul before conversion. They who breathe out cruelty may well expect to be sent to breathe their native air in hell; let persecutors beware!"

3. Barnes, "Let them not accomplish their desires in regard to me; let them not be able to carry out their purposes. For false witnesses are risen up against me - People who would lay false charges against him, or who would wrongfully accuse him. They charged him with crimes which he never committed, and they persecuted him as if he were guilty of what they alleged against him. And such as breathe out cruelty - That is, they meditate violence or cruel treatment. They are intent on this; they pant for it. Saul of Tarsus thus “breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.”

4. Gill, "...for false witnesses are risen up against me; laying to his charge, that he sought to take away from Saul his crown and kingdom, and even his life, 1 Samuel 24:9; and such as breathe out cruelty; as Doeg the Edomite, whose tongue was as a sharp razor, and by whose hands four score and five priests were slain, on account of David's being supplied with bread by Ahimelech...."

5. Henry Law, "We tread no path of trial or of suffering which is not hallowed by our Lord's preceding step. We taste no bitter cup which His lips have not drained. No misery afflicts us which He has not previously endured. The stings of slander are keen. It is anguish when false tongues persist in charging falsely. Jesus felt this. No scrutiny could find fault in Him; but still His judges must have a facade of evidence; therefore, false witnesses were bribed to fabricate malicious tales.

There is great mercy in these foreshadowing views of Jesus. They imprint the stamp of inspiration on the blessed Word. David not only stands a conspicuous type, but words are placed upon his lips which find fulfillment in the varied trials of our Lord. We thankfully adore the mercy. We feel in our grateful hearts, The Scriptures are eternal truth; we may firmly trust them. They cannot be broken."