This message the Lord my God sent me:✻ To this flock that is a-fattening for slaughter thou must play the shepherd.
Thou hast but to send a hundred talents of silver, and his two sons, to be surety he will not play us false when we release him, and he is a free man.
Men had reposed their confidence in a city and a temple renowned throughout the world, for the high opinion they had of its sanctity; and should he play them false? It was not to be thought of.
This was anxious news for the high priest; what if the king should suspect the Jews of foul play? Offer sacrifice he did for the man’s recovery, and with good effect.
It does not suit my time of life, said he, to play a part. What of many that stand here, younger than myself, who would think that Eleazar, at the age of ninety, had turned Gentile?
To gain a brief hour of this perishable life, shall I play a trick on them, shall I disgrace this hoary head of mine and bring down a curse on it?
Peace is my bequest to you, and the peace which I will give you is mine to give; I do not give peace as the world gives it. Do not let your heart be distressed, or play the coward.
God must prove true to his word, though all men should play him false; so it is written, Thy dealings were just, and if thou art called in question, thou hast right on thy side.✻
Sin will not be able to play the master over you any longer; you serve grace now, not the law.
I pray that no temptation may come upon you that is beyond man’s strength.✻ Not that God will play you false; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your powers. With the temptation itself, he will ordain the issue of it, and enable you to hold your own.
Be on the watch, stand firm in the faith, play the man, be full of courage.
Being entrusted, then, by God’s mercy, with this ministry, we do not play the coward;✻
No, we do not play the coward; though the outward part of our nature is being worn down, our inner life is refreshed from day to day.
I had boasted to Titus of the confidence I felt in you, and you did not play me false; no, the boast I had made to Titus proved true, as true as the message which I had delivered to you.
I say this without taking credit to myself, I say it as if we had had no power to play such a part; yet in fact—here my vanity speaks—I can claim all that others claim.
Well then, I too play my part; I have been told of your faith in the Lord Jesus, of the love you shew towards all the saints,✻
Only, you must play a part worthy of Christ’s gospel; whether I come to see you, or only hear about you at a distance, this must be my news of you, that you are standing fast in a common unity of spirit, with the faith of the gospel for your common cause.
If we play him false, he remains true to his word; he cannot disown himself.
Where a bequest is concerned, the death of the testator must needs play its part;
and Christ was offered once for all, to drain the cup of a world’s sins; when we see him again, sin will play its part no longer, he will be bringing salvation to those who await his coming.✻