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1994-03-02
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22460
#12-22 Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it.
David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer
to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they
drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will
be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not
seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the
unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult
the quiet of our own minds. David's troubles were the
chastisement and the consequence of his transgressions, whilst
Christ suffered for our sins and ours only. What right can a
sinner have to yield to impatience or anger, when mercifully
corrected for his sins? David was very sensible of the present
workings of corruption in him. Good men, by setting their sorrow
continually before them, have been ready to fall; but by setting
God always before them, they have kept their standing. If we are
truly penitent for sin, that will make us patient under
affliction. Nothing goes nearer to the heart of a believer when
in affliction, than to be under the apprehension of God's
deserting him; nor does any thing come more feelingly from his
heart than this prayer, "Be not far from me." The Lord will
hasten to help those who trust in him as their salvation.
22471
* David meditates on man's frailty. (1-6) He applies for pardon
and deliverance. (7-13)
#1-6 If an evil thought should arise in the mind, suppress it.
Watchfulness in the habit, is the bridle upon the head;
watchfulness in acts, is the hand upon the bridle. When not able
to separate from wicked men, we should remember they will watch
our words, and turn them, if they can, to our disadvantage.
Sometimes it may be necessary to keep silence, even from good
words; but in general we are wrong when backward to engage in
edifying discourse. Impatience is a sin that has its cause
within ourselves, and that is, musing; and its ill effects upon
ourselves, and that is no less than burning. In our greatest
health and prosperity, every man is altogether vanity, he cannot
live long; he may die soon. This is an undoubted truth, but we
are very unwilling to believe it. Therefore let us pray that God
would enlighten our minds by his Holy Spirit, and fill our
hearts with his grace, that we may be ready for death every day
and hour.
22477
#7-13 There is no solid satisfaction to be had in the creature;
but it is to be found in the Lord, and in communion with him; to
him we should be driven by our disappointments. If the world be
nothing but vanity, may God deliver us from having or seeking
our portion in it. When creature-confidences fail, it is our
comfort that we have a God to go to, a God to trust in. We may
see a good God doing all, and ordering all events concerning us;
and a good man, for that reason, says nothing against it. He
desires the pardoning of his sin, and the preventing of his
shame. We must both watch and pray against sin. When under the
correcting hand of the Lord, we must look to God himself for
relief, not to any other. Our ways and our doings bring us into
trouble, and we are beaten with a rod of our own making. What a
poor thing is beauty! and what fools are those that are proud of
it, when it will certainly, and may quickly, be consumed! The
body of man is as a garment to the soul. In this garment sin has
lodged a moth, which wears away, first the beauty, then the
strength, and finally the substance of its parts. Whoever has
watched the progress of a lingering distemper, or the work of
time alone, in the human frame, will feel at once the force of
this comparison, and that, surely every man is vanity.
Afflictions are sent to stir up prayer. If they have that
effect, we may hope that God will hear our prayer. The believer
expects weariness and ill treatment on his way to heaven; but he
shall not stay here long: walking with God by faith, he goes
forward on his journey, not diverted from his course, nor cast
down by the difficulties he meets. How blessed it is to sit
loose from things here below, that while going home to our
Father's house, we may use the world as not abusing it! May we
always look for that city, whose Builder and Maker is God.
22484
* Confidence for deliverance. (1-5) Christ's work of redemption.
(6-10) Prayer for mercy and grace. (11-17)
#1-5 Doubts and fears about the eternal state, are a horrible
pit and miry clay, and have been so to many a dear child of God.
There is power enough in God to help the weakest, and grace
enough to help the unworthiest of all that trust in him. The
psalmist waited patiently; he continued believing, hoping, and
praying. This is applicable to Christ. His agony, in the garden
and on the cross, was a horrible pit and miry clay. But those
that wait patiently for God do not wait in vain. Those that have
been under religious melancholy, and by the grace of God have
been relieved, may apply ver. #2| very feelingly to themselves;
they are brought up out of a horrible pit. Christ is the Rock on
which a poor soul can alone stand fast. Where God has given
stedfast hope, he expects there should be a steady, regular walk
and conduct. God filled the psalmist with joy, as well as peace
in believing. Multitudes, by faith beholding the sufferings and
glory of Christ, have learned to fear the justice and trust in
the mercy of God through Him. Many are the benefits with which
we are daily loaded, both by the providence and by the grace of
God.
22489
#6-10 The psalmist foretells that work of wonder, redemption by
our Lord Jesus Christ. The Substance must come, which is Christ,
who must bring that glory to God, and that grace to man, which
it was impossible the sacrifices should ever do. Observe the
setting apart of our Lord Jesus to the work and office of
Mediator. In the volume, or roll, of the book it was written of
him. In the close rolls of the Divine decrees and counsel, the
covenant of redemption was recorded. Also, in all the volumes of
the Old Testament something was written of him, #Joh 19:28|. Now
the purchase of our salvation is made, the proclamation is sent
forth, calling us to come and accept it. It was preached freely
and openly. Whoever undertook to preach the gospel of Christ,
would be under great temptation to conceal it; but Christ, and
those he calls to that work, are carried on in it. May we
believe his testimony, trust his promise, and submit to his
authority.
22494
#11-17 The best saints see themselves undone, unless continually
preserved by the grace of God. But see the frightful view the
psalmist had of sin. This made the discovery of a Redeemer so
welcome. In all his reflections upon each step of his life, he
discovered something amiss. The sight and sense of our sins in
their own colours, must distract us, if we have not at the same
time some sight of a Saviour. If Christ has triumphed over our
spiritual enemies, then we, through him, shall be more than
conquerors. This may encourage all that seek God and love his
salvation, to rejoice in him, and to praise him. No griefs nor
poverty can render those miserable who fear the Lord. Their God,
and all that he has or does, is the ground of their joy. The
prayer of faith can unlock his fulness, which is adapted to all
their wants. The promises are sure, the moment of fulfilment
hastens forward. He who once came in great humility, shall come
again in glorious majesty.