Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v22300

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 7KB | 131 lines

22308
 #19-24 Instead of yielding to impatience or despondency under
 our troubles, we should turn our thoughts to the goodness of the
 Lord towards those who fear and trust in Him. All comes to
 sinners through the wondrous gift of the only-begotten Son of
 God, to be the atonement for their sins. Let not any yield to
 unbelief, or think, under discouraging circumstances, that they
 are cut off from before the eyes of the Lord, and left to the
 pride of men. Lord, pardon our complaints and fears; increase
 our faith, patience, love, and gratitude; teach us to rejoice in
 tribulation and in hope. The deliverance of Christ, with the
 destruction of his enemies, ought to strengthen and comfort the
 hearts of believers under all their afflictions here below, that
 having suffered courageously with their Master, they may
 triumphantly enter into his joy and glory.
22314
 * The happiness of a pardoned sinner. (1,2) The misery that went
 before, and the comfort that followed the confession of sins.
 (3-7) Sinners instructed, believers encouraged. (8-11)

 #1,2 Sin is the cause of our misery; but the true believer's
 transgressions of the Divine law are all forgiven, being covered
 with the atonement. Christ bare his sins, therefore they are not
 imputed to him. The righteousness of Christ being reckoned to
 us, and we being made the righteousness of God in him, our
 iniquity is not imputed, God having laid upon him the iniquity
 of us all, and made him a sin-offering for us. Not to impute
 sin, is God's act, for he is the Judge. It is God that
 justifies. Notice the character of him whose sins are pardoned;
 he is sincere, and seeks sanctification by the power of the Holy
 Ghost. He does not profess to repent, with an intention to
 indulge in sin, because the Lord is ready to forgive. He will
 not abuse the doctrine of free grace. And to the man whose
 iniquity is forgiven, all manner of blessings are promised.

22316
 #3-7 It is very difficult to bring sinful man humbly to accept
 free mercy, with a full confession of his sins and
 self-condemnation. But the true and only way to peace of
 conscience, is, to confess our sins, that they may be forgiven;
 to declare them that we may be justified. Although repentance
 and confession do not merit the pardon of transgression, they
 are needful to the real enjoyment of forgiving mercy. And what
 tongue can tell the happiness of that hour, when the soul,
 oppressed by sin, is enabled freely to pour forth its sorrows
 before God, and to take hold of his covenanted mercy in Christ
 Jesus! Those that would speed in prayer, must seek the Lord,
 when, by his providence, he calls them to seek him, and, by his
 Spirit, stirs them up to seek him. In a time of finding, when
 the heart is softened with grief, and burdened with guilt; when
 all human refuge fails; when no rest can be found to the
 troubled mind, then it is that God applies the healing balm by
 his Spirit.

22321
 #8-11 God teaches by his word, and guides with the secret
 intimations of his will. David gives a word of caution to
 sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin
 will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to
 saints. They may see that a life of communion with God is far
 the most pleasant and comfortable. Let us rejoice, O Lord Jesus,
 in thee, and in thy salvation; so shall we rejoice indeed.
22325
 * God to be praised. (1-11) His people encouraged by his power.
 (12-22)

 #1-11 Holy joy is the heart and soul of praise, and that is here
 pressed upon the righteous. Thankful praise is the breath and
 language of holy joy. Religious songs are proper expressions of
 thankful praise. Every endowment we possess, should be employed
 with all our skill and earnestness in God's service. His
 promises are all wise and good. His word is right, and therefore
 we are only in the right when we agree with it. His works are
 all done in truth. He is the righteous Lord, therefore loveth
 righteousness. What a pity it is that this earth, which is so
 full of the proofs and instances of God's goodness, should be so
 empty of his praises; and that of the multitudes who live upon
 his bounty, there are so few who live to his glory! What the
 Lord does, he does to purpose; it stands fast. He overrules all
 the counsels of men, and makes them serve his counsels; even
 that is fulfilled, which to us is most surprising, the eternal
 counsel of God, nor can any thing prevent its coming to pass.

22336
 #12-22 All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which
 no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do.
 Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he
 formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the
 creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at
 all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then
 we need not fear whatever is against us. We are to give to him
 the glory of his special grace. All human devices for the
 salvation of our souls are vain; but the Lord's watchful eye is
 over those whose conscientious fear of his name proceeds from a
 believing hope in his mercy. In difficulties they shall be
 helped; in dangers they shall not receive any real damage. Those
 that fear God and his wrath, must hope in God and his mercy; for
 there is no flying from him, but by flying to him. Let thy
 mercy, O Lord, be upon us; let us always have the comfort and
 benefit, not according to our merits, but according to the
 promise which thou hast in thy word given to us, and according
 to the faith thou hast by thy Spirit and grace wrought in us.
22347
 * David praises God, and encourages to trust him. (1-10) He
 exhorts to fear. (11-22)

 #1-10 If we hope to spend eternity in praising God, it is fit
 that we should spend much of our time here in this work. He
 never said to any one, Seek ye me in vain. David's prayers
 helped to silence his fears; many besides him have looked unto
 the Lord by faith and prayer, and it has wonderfully revived and
 comforted them. When we look to the world, we are perplexed, and
 at a loss. But on looking to Christ depends our whole salvation,
 and all things needful thereunto do so also. This poor man, whom
 no man looked upon with any respect, or looked after with any
 concern, was yet welcome to the throne of grace; the Lord heard
 him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The holy angels
 minister to the saints, and stand for them against the powers of
 darkness. All the glory be to the Lord of the angels. By taste
 and sight we both make discoveries, and have enjoyment; Taste
 and see God's goodness; take notice of it, and take the comfort
 of it. He makes all truly blessed that trust in him. As to the
 things of the other world, they shall have grace sufficient for
 the support of spiritual life. And as to this life, they shall
 have what is necessary from the hand of God. Paul had all, and
 abounded, because he was content, #Php 4:11-18|. Those who trust
 to themselves, and think their own efforts sufficient for them,
 shall want; but they shall be fed who trust in the Lord. Those
 shall not want, who with quietness work, and mind their own
 business.