Works (Vol 1) - Sibbes - XVIII - The saint's safety in evil times - Discourse 2

Required reading
The Works Volume 1 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the second discourse entitled 'The saint's safety in evil times'.

My summary
Today we read the second discourse entitled 'The Saint's safety in evil times.

This discourse is based on 2 Timothy 4:17-18: 'Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.'

Firstly Sibbes speaks of Paul's experience of God's loving care of him in his deliverance past.  God often suffereth his children to fall into the mouths of lions but delivers them in divers ways.

Secondly we are taught that because of our past deliverances, we have an assured hope built for the time to come.  This is because the Lord will:
(i) deliver us from every evil work;
(ii) preserve us for his heavenly kingdom.

Thirdly Sibbes observes that our suffering and deliverance brings glory to God.  Thus we should:
(i) seriously meditate on God's mercies, both past and to come;
(ii) consider the kinds of favours you receive;
(iii) think of the greatness of all these: the greatness of the deliverance from sin and damnation;
(iv) labour to have humble spirits to see God in all things;
(v) labour to be assured of salvation.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed the encouragement to focus on the fact that we are preserved for a heavenly kingdom: 'And see here a point of heavenly wisdom ; to look, when we are in any danger, with the apostle, to the heavenly kingdom. When we are sick, look not at death. Paul cared not for that, but says he, ' The Lord will preserve me to his kingdom.' He looked to the bank of the shore. As a man that goes through a river hath his eye still on the shore, so the apostle had his eye fixed upon heaven still. I beseech you therefore, in all dangers and distresses whatsoever, if you would keep your souls without discouragements, as you should, be much in heaven in your thoughts, minding the things above, and conversing with God in your spirits. Look to the crown that is held out to us ; let our minds be in heaven before our souls. It is a wondrous help to our weakness in the time of trouble, not to think, I am full of pain, I must be turned into the grave, and rot, and what shall be come of me then? &c. Away with this carnal reasoning. It much weakens faith, and damps the hearts of Christians.'

When you suffer, let your mind be in heaven before your soul is!

Next week's reading
Read the discourse entitled 'Christ is best'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.