Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v23300

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 109 lines

23303
 #19-37 The Lord anointed David with the holy oil, not only as an
 emblem of the graces and gifts he received, but as a type of
 Christ, the King Priest, and Prophet, anointed with the Holy
 Ghost without measure. David after his anointing, was
 persecuted, but none could gain advantage against him. Yet all
 this was a faint shadow of the Redeemer's sufferings,
 deliverance, glory, and authority, in whom alone these
 predictions and promises are fully brought to pass. He is the
 mighty God. This is the Redeemer appointed for us, who alone is
 able to complete the work of our salvation. Let us seek an
 interest in these blessings, by the witness of the Holy Spirit
 in our hearts. As the Lord corrected the posterity of David for
 their transgressions, so his people shall be corrected for their
 sins. Yet it is but a rod, not a sword; it is to correct, not to
 destroy. It is a rod in the hand of God, who is wise, and knows
 what he does; gracious, and will do what is best. It is a rod
 which they shall never feel, but when there is need. As the sun
 and moon remain in heaven, whatever changes there seem to be in
 them, and again appear in due season; so the covenant of grace
 made in Christ, whatever alteration seems to come to it, should
 not be questioned.

23322
 #38-52 Sometimes it is not easy to reconcile God's providences
 with his promises, yet we are sure that God's works fulfil his
 word. When the great Anointed One, Christ himself, was upon the
 cross, God seemed to have cast him off, yet did not make void
 his covenant, for that was established for ever. The honour of
 the house of David was lost. Thrones and crowns are often laid
 in the dust; but there is a crown of glory reserved for Christ's
 spiritual seed, which fadeth not away. From all this complaint
 learn what work sin makes with families, noble families, with
 families in which religion has appeared. They plead with God for
 mercy. God's unchangeableness and faithfulness assure us that He
 will not cast off those whom he has chosen and covenanted with.
 They were reproached for serving him. The scoffers of the latter
 days, in like manner, reproach the footsteps of the Messiah when
 they ask, Where is the promise of his coming? #2Pe 3:3,4|. The
 records of the Lord's dealings with the family of David, show us
 his dealings with his church, and with believers. Their
 afflictions and distresses may be grievous, but he will not
 finally cast them off. Self-deceivers abuse this doctrine, and
 others by a careless walk bring themselves into darkness and
 distress; yet let the true believer rely on it for encouragement
 in the path of duty, and in bearing the cross. The psalm ends
 with praise, even after this sad complaint. Those who give God
 thanks for what he has done, may give him thanks for what he
 will do. God will follow those with his mercies, who follow him
 with praises.
23337
 * The eternity of God, the frailty of man. (1-6) Submission to
 Divine chastisements. (7-11) Prayer for mercy and grace. (12-17)

 #1-6 It is supposed that this psalm refers to the sentence
 passed on Israel in the wilderness, #Nu 14|. The favour and
 protection of God are the only sure rest and comfort of the soul
 in this evil world. Christ Jesus is the refuge and
 dwelling-place to which we may repair. We are dying creatures,
 all our comforts in the world are dying comforts, but God is an
 ever-living God, and believers find him so. When God, by
 sickness, or other afflictions, turns men to destruction, he
 thereby calls men to return unto him to repent of their sins,
 and live a new life. A thousand years are nothing to God's
 eternity: between a minute and a million of years there is some
 proportion; between time and eternity there is none. All the
 events of a thousand years, whether past or to come, are more
 present to the Eternal Mind, than what was done in the last hour
 is to us. And in the resurrection, the body and soul shall both
 return and be united again. Time passes unobserved by us, as
 with men asleep; and when it is past, it is as nothing. It is a
 short and quickly-passing life, as the waters of a flood. Man
 does but flourish as the grass, which, when the winter of old
 age comes, will wither; but he may be mown down by disease or
 disaster.

23343
 #7-11 The afflictions of the saints often come from God's love;
 but the rebukes of sinners, and of believers for their sins,
 must be seen coming from the displeasure of God. Secret sins are
 known to God, and shall be reckoned for. See the folly of those
 who go about to cover their sins, for they cannot do so. Our
 years, when gone, can no more be recalled than the words that we
 have spoken. Our whole life is toilsome and troublesome; and
 perhaps, in the midst of the years we count upon, it is cut off.
 We are taught by all this to stand in awe. The angels that
 sinned know the power of God's anger; sinners in hell know it;
 but which of us can fully describe it? Few seriously consider it
 as they ought. Those who make a mock at sin, and make light of
 Christ, surely do not know the power of God's anger. Who among
 us can dwell with that devouring fire?

23348
 #12-17 Those who would learn true wisdom, must pray for Divine
 instruction, must beg to be taught by the Holy Spirit; and for
 comfort and joy in the returns of God's favour. They pray for
 the mercy of God, for they pretend not to plead any merit of
 their own. His favour would be a full fountain of future joys.
 It would be a sufficient balance to former griefs. Let the grace
 of God in us produce the light of good works. And let Divine
 consolations put gladness into our hearts, and a lustre upon our
 countenances. The work of our hands, establish thou it; and, in
 order to that, establish us in it. Instead of wasting our
 precious, fleeting days in pursuing fancies, which leave the
 possessors for ever poor, let us seek the forgiveness of sins,
 and an inheritance in heaven. Let us pray that the work of the
 Holy Spirit may appear in converting our hearts, and that the
 beauty of holiness may be seen in our conduct.