Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v23400

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 8KB | 145 lines

23401
 #12-23 That man is blessed, who, under the chastening of the
 Lord, is taught his will and his truths, from his holy word, and
 by the Holy Spirit. He should see mercy through his sufferings.
 There is a rest remaining for the people of God after the days
 of their adversity, which shall not last always. He that sends
 the trouble, will send the rest. The psalmist found succour and
 relief only in the Lord, when all earthly friends failed. We are
 beholden, not only to God's power, but to his pity, for
 spiritual supports; and if we have been kept from falling into
 sin, or shrinking from our duty, we should give him the glory,
 and encourage our brethren. The psalmist had many troubled
 thoughts concerning the case he was in, concerning the course he
 should take, and what was likely to be the end of it. The
 indulgence of such contrivances and fears, adds to care and
 distrust, and renders our views more gloomy and confused. Good
 men sometimes have perplexed and distressed thoughts concerning
 God. But let them look to the great and precious promises of the
 gospel. The world's comforts give little delight to the soul,
 when hurried with melancholy thoughts; but God's comforts bring
 that peace and pleasure which the smiles of the world cannot
 give, and which the frowns of the world cannot take away. God is
 his people's Refuge, to whom they may flee, in whom they are
 safe, and may be secure. And he will reckon with the wicked. A
 man cannot be more miserable than his own wickedness will make
 him, if the Lord visit it upon him.
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 *An exhortation to praise God. (1-7 part) A warning not to
 tempt Him. (7-11)

 #1-7 Whenever we come into God's presence, we must come with
 thanksgiving. The Lord is to be praised; we do not want matter,
 it were well if we did not want a heart. How great is that God,
 whose the whole earth is, and the fulness thereof; who directs
 and disposes of all! The Lord Jesus, whom we are here taught to
 praise, is a great God; the mighty God is one of his titles, and
 God over all, blessed for evermore. To him all power is given,
 both in heaven and earth. He is our God, and we should praise
 him. He is our Saviour, and the Author of our blessedness. The
 gospel church is his flock, Christ is the great and good
 Shepherd of believers; he sought them when lost, and brought
 them to his fold.
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 #7-11 Christ calls upon his people to hear his voice. You call
 him Master, or Lord; then be his willing, obedient people. Hear
 the voice of his doctrine, of his law, and in both, of his
 Spirit: hear and heed; hear and yield. Christ's voice must be
 heard to-day. This day of opportunity will not last always;
 improve it while it is called to-day. Hearing the voice of
 Christ is the same with believing. Hardness of heart is at the
 bottom of all distrust of the Lord. The sins of others ought to
 be warnings to us not to tread in their steps. The murmurings of
 Israel were written for our admonition. God is not subject to
 such passions as we are; but he is very angry at sin and
 sinners. That certainly is evil, which deserves such a
 recompence; and his threatenings are as sure as his promises.
 Let us be aware of the evils of our hearts, which lead us to
 wander from the Lord. There is a rest ordained for believers,
 the rest of everlasting refreshment, begun in this life, and
 perfected in the life to come. This is the rest which God calls
 his rest.
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 * A call to all people to praise God. (1-9) God's government and
 judgment. (10-13)

 #1-9 When Christ finished his work on earth, and was received
 into his glory in heaven, the church began to sing a new song
 unto him, and to bless his name. His apostles and evangelists
 showed forth his salvation among the heathen, his wonders among
 all people. All the earth is here summoned to worship the Lord.
 We must worship him in the beauty of holiness, as God in Christ,
 reconciling the world unto himself. Glorious things are said of
 him, both as motives to praise and matter of praise.

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 #10-13 We are to hope and pray for that time, when Christ shall
 reign in righteousness over all nations. He shall rule in the
 hearts of men, by the power of truth, and the Spirit of
 righteousness. His coming draws nigh; this King, this Judge
 standeth before the door, but he is not yet come. The Lord will
 accept the praises of all who seek to promote the kingdom of
 Christ. The sea can but roar, and how the trees of the wood can
 show that they rejoice we know not; but He that searches the
 heart knows what is the mind of the Spirit, and understands the
 words, the broken language of the weakest. Christ will come to
 judge the earth, to execute just vengeance on his enemies, and
 to fulfil his largest promises to his people. What then are we?
 Would that day be welcome to us? If this be not our case, let us
 now begin to prepare to meet our God, by seeking the pardon of
 our sins, and the renewal of our souls to holiness.
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 * The Lord Jesus reigns in power that cannot be resisted. (1-7)
 His care of his people, and his provision for them. (8-12)

 #1-7 Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is
 room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government.
 There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to
 fathom; but still righteousness and judgment are the habitation
 of his throne. Christ's government, though it might be matter of
 joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is
 their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring
 opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the
 Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to idol worship of
 every kind.

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 #8-12 The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad,
 because he is glorified; and whatever tends to his honour, is
 his people's pleasure. Care is taken for their safety. But
 something more is meant than their lives. The Lord will preserve
 the souls of his saints from sin, from apostasy, and despair,
 under their greatest trials. He will deliver them out of the
 hands of the wicked one, and preserve them safe to his heavenly
 kingdom. And those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his
 exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them. Those that
 sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Gladness is sure to the upright
 in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners
 tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin,
 yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes
 in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he
 loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly,
 body, soul, and spirit.
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 * The glory of the Redeemer. (1-3) The joy of the Redeemer.
 (4-9)

 #1-3 A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, a
 mystery hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a new
 song, very different from what they had sung. If the grace of
 God put a new heart into our breasts, it will put a new song
 into our mouths. Let this new song be sung to the praise of God,
 in consideration of the wonders he has wrought. The Redeemer has
 overcome all difficulties in the way of our redemption, and was
 not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed him. Let
 us praise him for the discoveries made to the world of the work
 of redemption; his salvation and his righteousness fulfilling
 the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. In pursuance
 of this design, God raised up his Son Jesus to be not only a
 Light to lighten the Gentiles, but the glory of his people
 Israel. Surely it behooves us to inquire whether his holy arm
 hath gotten the victory in our hearts, over the power of Satan,
 unbelief, and sin? If this be our happy case, we shall exchange
 all light songs of vanity for songs of joy and thanksgiving; our
 lives will celebrate the Redeemer's praise.