Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v22850

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 9KB | 160 lines

22852
 * A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.

 - All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first
 thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and
 pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and
 secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope
 that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a
 prayer for the conversion of the Gentiles, which shows that the
 Old Testament saints desired that their advantages might also be
 enjoyed by others. And many Scripture prophecies and promises
 are wrapped up in prayers: the answer to the prayer of the
 church is as sure as the performance of God's promises. The joy
 wished to the nations, is holy joy. Let them be glad that by his
 providence the Lord will overrule the affairs of kingdoms; that
 even the kingdoms of this world shall became the kingdom of the
 Lord, and of his Christ. Then is declared a joyful prospect of
 all good when God shall do this. The success of the gospel
 brings outward mercies with it; righteousness exalts a nation.
 The blessing of the Lord sweetens all our creature-comforts to
 us, and makes them comforts indeed. All the world shall be
 brought to worship Him. When the gospel begins to spread, it
 shall go forward more and more, till it reaches to the ends of
 the earth. It is good to cast in our lot with those that are the
 blessed of the Lord. If nothing had been spoken in Scripture
 respecting the conversion of the heathen, we might think it vain
 to attempt so hopeless a work. But when we see with what
 confidence it is declared in the Scriptures, we may engage in
 missionary labours, assured that God will fulfil his own word.
 And shall we be backward to make known to the heathen the
 knowledge with which we are favoured, and the salvation we
 profess to glory in? They cannot learn unless they are taught.
 Then let us go forward in the strength of the Lord, and look to
 him to accompany the word with the Holy Ghost; then Satan's kingdom
 shall be destroyed, and the kingdom of our Redeemer established.
22859
 * A prayer-- The greatness and goodness of God. (1-6) The
 wonderful works God wrought for his people. (7-14) The presence
 of God in his church. (15-21) The victories of Christ. (22-28)
 Enlargement of the church. (29-31) The glory and grace of God.
 (32-35)

 #1-6 None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered.
 God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they
 come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives
 being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his
 people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender
 compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed:
 repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any
 fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all
 their blessings.

22865
 #7-14 Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies. If
 God bring his people into a wilderness, he will be sure to go
 before them in it, and to bring them out of it. He provided for
 them, both in the wilderness and in Canaan. The daily manna
 seems here meant. And it looks to the spiritual provision for
 God's Israel. The Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are
 the plentiful rain, with which God confirms his inheritance, and
 from which their fruit is found. Christ shall come as showers
 that water the earth. The account of Israel's victories is to be
 applied to the victories over death and hell, by the exalted
 Redeemer, for those that are his. Israel in Egypt among the
 kilns appeared wretched, but possessed of Canaan, during the
 reigns of David and Solomon, appeared glorious. Thus the slaves
 of Satan, when converted to Christ, when justified and
 sanctified by him, look honourable. When they reach heaven, all
 remains of their sinful state disappear, they shall be as the
 wings of the dove, covered with silver, and her feathers as
 gold. Full salvation will render those white as snow, who were
 vile and loathsome through the guilt and defilement of sin.

22873
 #15-21 The ascension of Christ must here be meant, and thereto
 it is applied, #Eph 4:8|. He received as the purchase of his
 death, the gifts needful for the conversion of sinners, and the
 salvation of believers. These he continually bestows, even on
 rebellious men, that the Lord God might dwell among them, as
 their Friend and Father. He gave gifts to men. Having received
 power to give eternal life, the Lord Jesus bestows it on as many
 as were given him, #Joh 17:2|. Christ came to a rebellious
 world, not to condemn it, but that through him it might be
 saved. The glory of Zion's King is, that he is a Saviour and
 Benefactor to all his willing people, and a consuming fire to
 all that persist in rebellion against him. So many, so weighty
 are the gifts of God's bounty, that he may be truly said to load
 us with them. He will not put us off with present things for a
 portion, but will be the God of our salvation. The Lord Jesus
 has authority and power to rescue his people from the dominion
 of death, by taking away the sting of it from them when they
 die, and giving them complete victory over it when they rise
 again. The crown of the head, the chief pride and glory of the
 enemy, shall be smitten; Christ shall crush the head of the
 serpent.

22880
 #22-28 The victories with which God blessed David over the
 enemies of Israel, are types of Christ's victory, for himself
 and for all believers. Those who take him for theirs, may see
 him acting as their God, as their King, for their good, and in
 answer to their prayers; especially in and by his word and
 ordinances. The kingdom of the Messiah shall be submitted to by
 all the rulers and learned in the world. The people seem to
 address the king, ver. #28|. But the words are applicable to the
 Redeemer, to his church, and every true believer. We pray, that
 thou, O God the Son, wilt complete thine undertaking for us, by
 finishing thy good work in us.

22887
 #29-31 A powerful invitation is given to those that are without,
 to join the church. Some shall submit from fear; overcome by
 their consciences, and the checks of Providence, they are
 brought to make peace with the church. Others will submit
 willingly, ver. #29,31|. There is that beauty and benefit in the
 service of God, and in the gospel of Christ which went forth
 from Jerusalem, which is enough to invite sinners out of all
 nations.

22890
 #32-35 God is to be admired and adored with reverence and godly
 fear, by all that attend in his holy places. The God of Israel
 gives strength and power unto his people. Through Christ
 strengthening us we can do all things, not otherwise; therefore
 he must have the glory of all we do, with our humble thanks for
 enabling us to do it, and for accepting the work of his hands in
 us.
22894
 * David complains of great distress. (1-12) And begs for
 succour. (13-21) He declares the judgments of God. (22-29) He
 concludes with joy and praise. (30-36)

 #1-12 We should frequently consider the person of the Sufferer
 here spoken of, and ask why, as well as what he suffered, that,
 meditating thereon, we may be more humbled for sin, and more
 convinced of our danger, so that we may feel more gratitude and
 love, constraining us to live to His glory who died for our
 salvation. Hence we learn, when in affliction, to commit the
 keeping of our souls to God, that we may not be soured with
 discontent, or sink into despair. David was hated wrongfully,
 but the words far more fully apply to Christ. In a world where
 unrighteousness reigns so much, we must not wonder if we meet
 with those that are our enemies wrongfully. Let us take care
 that we never do wrong; then if we receive wrong, we may the
 better bear it. By the satisfaction Christ made to God for our
 sin by his blood, he restored that which he took not away, he
 paid our debt, suffered for our offences. Even when we can plead
 Not guilty, as to men's unjust accusations, yet before God we
 must acknowledge ourselves to deserve all that is brought upon
 us. All our sins take rise from our foolishness. They are all
 done in God's sight. David complains of the unkindness of
 friends and relations. This was fulfilled in Christ, whose
 brethren did not believe on him, and who was forsaken by his
 disciples. Christ made satisfaction for us, not only by putting
 off the honours due to God, but by submitting to the greatest
 dishonours that could be done to any man. We need not be
 discouraged if our zeal for the truths, precepts, and worship of
 God, should provoke some, and cause others to mock our godly
 sorrow and deadness to the world.