Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc24/v25400

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 7KB | 127 lines

25410
 #23-29 Solomon, in his search into the nature and reason of
 things, had been miserably deluded. But he here speaks with
 godly sorrow. He alone who constantly aims to please God, can
 expect to escape; the careless sinner probably will fall to rise
 no more. He now discovered more than ever the evil of the great
 sin of which he had been guilty, the loving many strange women,
 #1Ki 11:1|. A woman thoroughly upright and godly, he had not
 found. How was he likely to find such a one among those he had
 collected? If any of them had been well disposed, their
 situation would tend to render them all nearly of the same
 character. He here warns others against the sins into which he
 had been betrayed. Many a godly man can with thankfulness
 acknowledge that he has found a prudent, virtuous woman in the
 wife of his bosom; but those men who have gone in Solomon's
 track, cannot expect to find one. He traces up all the streams
 of actual transgression to the fountain. It is clear that man is
 corrupted and revolted, and not as he was made. It is lamentable
 that man, whom God made upright, has found out so many ways to
 render himself wicked and miserable. Let us bless Him for Jesus
 Christ, and seek his grace, that we may be numbered with his
 chosen people.
25417
 * Commendations of wisdom. (1-5) To prepare for sudden evils and
 death. (6-8) It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with
 the wicked. (9-13) Mysteries of Providence. (14-17)

 #1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the
 accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or
 happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God,
 or teach aright from his truths and dispensations? What madness
 must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the
 Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on
 themselves, in this life and that to come!

25422
 #6-8 God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of
 future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must
 all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there
 any weapons of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every
 day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How
 solemn the thought! Oh that men were wise, that they understood
 these things, that they would consider their latter end! The
 believer alone is prepared to meet the solemn summons.
 Wickedness, by which men often escape human justice, cannot
 secure from death.

25425
 #9-13 Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over
 another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their
 wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes
 slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some
 substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are
 all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may
 view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.

25430
 #14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene,
 where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper.
 Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from
 confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the
 sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun,
 than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life
 according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason
 for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clear up all
 difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the
 comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of
 conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through
 all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail.
25434
 * Good and bad men fare alike as to this world. (1-3) All men
 must die, Their portion as to this life. (4-10) Disappointments
 common. (11,12) Benefits of wisdom. (13-18)

 #1-3 We are not to think our searching into the word or works of
 God useless, because we cannot explain all difficulties. We may
 learn many things good for ourselves and useful to others. But
 man cannot always decide who are objects of God's special love,
 or under his wrath; and God will certainly put a difference
 between the precious and the vile, in the other world. The
 difference as to present happiness, arises from the inward
 supports and consolations the righteous enjoy, and the benefit
 they derive from varied trials and mercies. As far as the sons
 of men are left to themselves, their hearts are full of evil;
 and prosperity in sin, causes them even to set God at defiance
 by daring wickedness. Though, on this side death, the righteous
 and the wicked may often seem to fare alike, on the other side
 there will be a vast difference between them.
25437
 #4-10 The most despicable living man's state, is preferable to
 that of the most noble who have died impenitent. Solomon exhorts
 the wise and pious to cheerful confidence in God, whatever their
 condition in life. The meanest morsel, coming from their
 Father's love, in answer to prayer, will have a peculiar relish.
 Not that we may set our hearts upon the delights of sense, but
 what God has given us we may use with wisdom. The joy here
 described, is the gladness of heart that springs from a sense of
 the Divine favour. This is the world of service, that to come is
 the world of recompence. All in their stations, may find some
 work to do. And above all, sinners have the salvation of their
 souls to seek after, believers have to prove their faith, adorn
 the gospel, glorify God, and serve their generation.

25444
 #11,12 Men's success seldom equals their expectations. We must
 use means, but not trust to them: if we succeed, we must give
 God the praise; if crossed, we must submit to his will. Those
 who put off the great concerns of their souls, are caught in
 Satan's net, which he baits with some worldly object, for which
 they reject or neglect the gospel, and go on in sin till they
 suddenly fall into destruction.

25446
 #13-18 A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he
 could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be
 against us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of
 wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages. How
 forcible are right words! But wise and good men must often
 content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good,
 or, at least, endeavoured to do it, when they cannot do the good
 they would, nor have the praise they should. How many of the
 good gifts, both of nature and Providence, does one sinner
 destroy and make waste! He who destroys his own soul destroys
 much good. One sinner may draw many into his destroying ways.
 See who are the friends and enemies of a kingdom or a family, if
 one saint does much good, and one sinner destroys much good.