(James Smith, "Preservation Sought" 1865)
"But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped."
Psalm 73:2
The Christian is always on dangerous ground!
We may fall into sin--even when we cannot fall into hell.
We may break our bones--when we cannot break our neck.
We may make sad work for repentance--when we do not incur a sentence of final condemnation.
We are liable to fall by error--which is specious and powerful.
We are liable to fall by Satan--who is crafty and malicious.
We are liable to fall by our weakness--which is very great.
We are liable to fall by sinful pleasures--in which the flesh takes delight.
We are liable to fall by our unhallowed tempers--which need constant watchfulness and incessant prayer.
We are liable to fall by erroneous people--who may, like Satan, lie in wait to deceive us.
We therefore need keeping--constant keeping, divine keeping!
Our path is often slippery--and we are apt to be incautious. But it is our unspeakable mercy, that God has promised to keep us. "He keeps the feet of His saints."
But He will have us feel our weakness, and need of His keeping--and plead with Him to keep us: "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe" Psalm 119:117
