Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc18/v19750

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 4KB | 67 lines

19750
 * Hezekiah's good reign in Judah. (1-19) Hezekiah's sacrifice of
 atonement. (20-36)

 #1-19 When Hezekiah came to the crown, he applied at once to
 work reform. Those who begin with God, begin at the right end of
 their work, and it will prosper accordingly. Those that turn
 their backs upon God's ordinances, may truly be said to forsake
 God himself. There are still such neglects, if the word be not
 duly read and opened, for that was signified by the lighting the
 lamps, and also if prayers and praise be not offered up, for
 that was signified by the burning incense. Neglect of God's
 worship was the cause of the calamities they had lain under. The
 Lord alone can prepare the heart of man for vital godliness:
 when much good is done in a little time, the glory must be
 ascribed to him; and all who love him or the souls of men, will
 rejoice therein. Let those that do good work, learn to do it
 well.

19769
 #20-36 As soon as Hezekiah heard that the temple was ready, he
 lost no time. Atonement must be made for the sins of the last
 reign. It was not enough to lament and forsake those sins; they
 brought a sin-offering. Our repentance and reformation will not
 obtain pardon but in and through Christ, who was made sin, that
 is, a sin-offering for us. While the offerings were on the
 altar, the Levites sang. Sorrow for sin must not prevent us from
 praising God. The king and the congregation gave their consent
 to all that was done. It is not enough for us to be where God is
 worshipped, if we do not ourselves worship with the heart. And
 we should offer up our spiritual sacrifices of praise and
 thanksgiving, and devote ourselves and all we have, as
 sacrifices, acceptable to the Father only through the Redeemer.
19786
 * Hezekiah's passover. (1-12) The passover celebrated. (13-20)
 The feast of unleavened bread. (21-27)

 #1-12 Hezekiah made Israel as welcome to the passover, as any of
 his own subjects. Let us yield ourselves unto the Lord. Say not,
 you will do what you please, but resolve to do what he pleases.
 We perceive in the carnal mind a stiffness, an obstinacy, an
 unaptness to compel with God; we have it from our fathers: this
 must be overcome. Those who, through grace, have turned to God
 themselves, should do all they can to bring others to him.
 Numbers will be scorners, but some will be humbled and
 benefited; perhaps where least expected. The rich mercy of God
 is the great argument by which to enforce repentance; the vilest
 who submit and yield themselves to the Lord, seek his grace, and
 give themselves to his service, shall certainly be saved. Oh
 that messengers were sent forth to carry these glad tidings to
 every city and every village, through every land!

19798
 #13-20 The great thing needful in attendance upon God in solemn
 ordinances, is, that we make heart-work of it; all is nothing
 without this. Where this sincerity and fixedness of heart are,
 there may yet be many things short of the purification of the
 sanctuary. These defects need pardoning, healing grace; for
 omissions in duty are sins, as well as omissions of duty. If God
 should deal with us in strict justice, even as to the very best
 of our doings, we should be undone. The way to obtain pardon, is
 to seek it of God by prayer; it must be gotten by petition
 through the blood of Christ. Yet every defect is sin, and needs
 forgiveness; and should be matter to humble, but not to
 discourage us, though nothing can make up for the want of a
 heart prepared to seek the Lord.