ComfortforChristians

byA.W.Pink

TableofContents

Introduction

NoCondemnation

TheChristian'sAssurance

SufferingsCompensated

TheGreatGiver

TheDivineRememberer

TriedbyFire

DivineChastisement

God'sInheritance

GodSecuringHisInheritance

Mourning

Hungering

HeartPurity

TheBeatitudesandChrist

AfflictionandGlory

Contentment

PreciousDeath

Copyright

Introduction

Theworkuntowhich the servant ofChrist is called ismany-sided.NotonlyishetopreachtheGospeltotheunsaved,tofeedGod'speoplewithknowledge and understanding (Jer 3:15), and to take up the stumblingstoneout of theirway (Isa 57:14), but he is also charged to "cry aloud,spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and showMy people theirtransgression"(Isa58:1andcf.1Tim4:2).Whileanotherimportantpartofhis commission is stated in, "Comfort, comfortMypeople, says yourGod."(Isa40:1).

What an honorable title, "My people!" What an assuring relationship:"your God!" What a pleasant task: "comfort My people!" A threefoldreasonmaybesuggestedfortheduplicatingofthecharge.First,becausesometimesthesoulsofbelieversrefusetobecomforted(Psalm77:2),andtheconsolationneedstoberepeated.Second,topressthisdutythemoreemphatically upon the preacher's heart, that he need not be sparing inadministering cheer. Third, to assure us how heartily desirous GodhimselfisthatHispeopleshouldbeoffullofjoy(Phil4:4).

Godhasa"people,"theobjectsofHisspecialfavor:acompanywhomHehastakenintosuchintimaterelationshipuntoHimselfthatHecallsthem"My people." Often they are disconsolate because of their naturalcorruptions, the temptationsofSatan, thecruel treatmentof theworld,thelowstateofChrist'scauseuponearth.The"Godofallcomfort"(2Cor1:3) is very tender towards them, and it is His revealed will that Hisservantsshouldbindupthebroken-heartedandpourthebalmofGileadinto their wounds.What cause have we to exclaim "Who is a God likeuntoYou!"(Micah7:18),whohasprovidedforthecomfortofthosewho

wererebelsagainstHisgovernmentandtransgressorsofHisLaw.

NoCondemnation

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in ChristJesus."(Romans8:1)

"There is therefore now no condemnation." The eighth chapter of theepistle to the Romans concludes the first section of that wonderfulepistle. Its openingword "Therefore"may be viewed in a twofoldway.First, it connectswith all that has been said from3:21.An inference isnow deduced from thewhole of the preceding discussion, an inferencewhichwas, in fact, the grand conclusion towardwhich the apostle hadbeenaimingthroughouttheentireargument.BecauseChristhasbeensetforth"apropitiationthroughfaith inHisblood"(3:25);becauseHewas"deliveredforouroffencesandraisedagainforourjustification"(4:25);becausebytheobedienceoftheOnethemany(believersofallages)are"maderighteous," constituted so, legally, (5:19); because believers have"died (judicially) to sin" (6:2); because they have "died" to thecondemning power of the law (7:4), "there is therefore now NOCONDEMNATION."

Butnotonlyisthe"therefore"tobeviewedasaconclusiondrawnfromthewholeofthepreviousdiscussion,itisalsotobeconsideredashavinga close relation to what immediately precedes. In the second half ofRomans 7 the apostle had described the painful and ceaseless conflictwhichiswagedbetweentheantagonisticnaturesintheonewhohasbeenborn again, illustrating this by a reference to his own personalexperiencesasaChristian.Havingportrayedwithamasterpen--himselfsitting for the picture--the spiritual struggles of the child of God, theapostlenowproceeds todirectattention to theDivineconsolation foracondition so distressing and humiliating. The transition from thedespondenttoneoftheseventhchaptertothetriumphantlanguageoftheeighth,appearsstartlingandabrupt,yetisquitelogicalandnatural.Ifitis true that to the saints of God belongs the conflict of sin and death,

underwhose effect theymourn, equally true is it that their deliverancefromthecurseandthecorrespondingcondemnation,isavictoryinwhichtheyrejoice.Averystrikingcontrastisthuspointed.

InthesecondhalfofRomans7theapostletreatsthepowerofsin,whichoperates in believers as long as they are in the world; in the openingversesofchaptereight,hespeaksoftheguiltofsinfromwhichtheyarecompletelydeliveredthemoment theyareunitedto theSaviorby faith.Hencein7:24theapostleasks"Whoshalldeliverme"fromthepowerofsin,butin8:2hesays,"hasmademefree,"thatishasdeliveredme,fromtheguiltofsin.

"There is thereforenowno condemnation." It is not here a question ofourheart condemningus (as in 1John3:21),norofus findingnothingwithin which is worthy of condemnation; instead, it is the far moreblessed fact that God does not condemn the one who has trusted inChrist,tothesavingofhissoul.Weneedtodistinguishsharplybetweensubjective and objective truth; between that which is judicial and thatwhich is experimental; otherwise, we shall fail to draw from suchScriptures as the one now before us the comfort and peace they aredesignedtoconvey.ThereisnocondemnationtothosewhoareinChristJesus."InChrist"isthebeliever'spositionbeforeGod,nothisconditionintheflesh."InAdam"Iwascondemned(Rom5:12);but"inChrist"istobeforeverfreedfromallcondemnation.

"Thereisthereforenownocondemnation."Thequalifying"now"impliesthere was a time when Christians, before they believed, were undercondemnation.ThiswasbeforetheydiedwithChrist,diedjudicially(Gal2:20) to the penalty of God's righteous law. This "now," then,distinguishesbetweentwostatesorconditions.Bynaturewewere"underthe(sentenceof) law,"butnowbelieversare "undergrace" (Rom6:14).By nature we were "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:2), but now we are"acceptedintheBeloved"(Eph.1:6).Underthefirstcovenantwewere"inAdam"(1Cor15:22),butnowweare"inChrist"(Rom8:1).AsbelieversinChristwehaveeverlastinglife,andbecauseofthiswe"shallnotcomeintocondemnation."

Condemnation is a word of tremendous import, and the better we

understand it, themore shall we appreciate the wondrous grace whichhasdeliveredus from itspower. In thehallsof ahumancourt this is atermwhichfallswithfearfulknellupontheearoftheconvictedcriminaland fills the spectators with sadness and horror. But in the court ofDivine Justice it is vested with a meaning and content infinitely moresolemnandawe-inspiring.TothatCourteverymemberofAdam'sfallenrace iscited."Conceived insin,shaped in iniquity"eachoneenters thisworldunderarrest--anindictedcriminal,arebelmanacled.How,then,isitpossibleforsuchaonetoescapetheexecutionofthedreadsentence?There was only one way, and that was by the removal from us of thatwhich called forth the sentence, namely SIN. Let guilt be removed andtherecanbe"nocondemnation."

Has guilt been removed, removed, we mean, from the sinner whobelieves?LettheScripturesanswer:"Asfarastheeastisfromthewestsofarhasheremovedourtransgressionsfromus"(Psalm103:12)."I,evenI,amhewhoblotsoutyourtransgressions"(Isa43:25)."Youhavecastallmy sins behind your back" (Isa 38:17). "Their sins and iniquitieswill Iremembernomore"(Heb.10:17).

But how could guilt be removed? Only by it being transferred. Divineholiness couldnot ignore it; butDivinegrace couldanddid transfer it.The sins of believerswere transferred to Christ: "The Lord has laid onhimtheiniquityofusall"(Isa53:6)."Forhehasmadehimtobesinforus"(2Cor5:21).

"There is thereforenocondemnation."The"no" isemphatic.Itsignifiesthere isnocondemnationwhatever.Nocondemnation from the law, oron account of inward corruption, or because Satan can substantiate achargeagainstme;thereisnonefromanysourceorforanycauseatall."Nocondemnation"meansthatnoneatallispossible;thatnoneeverwillbe.Thereisnocondemnationbecausethereisnoaccusation(see8:33),andtherecanbenoaccusationbecausethereisnoimputationofsin(see4:8).

"There is thereforeno condemnation to thosewhoare inChrist Jesus."Whentreatingoftheconflictbetweenthetwonaturesinthebelievertheapostlehad,inthepreviouschapter,spokenofhimselfinhisownperson,

in order to show that the highest attainments in grace do noexempt from the internal warfarewhich he there describes. Butherein8:1theapostlechangesthenumber.Hedoesnotsay,Thereisnocondemnation tome, but "to thosewho are in Christ Jesus." This wasmost gracious of the Holy Spirit. Had the apostle spoken here in thesingularnumber,weshouldhavereasonedthatsuchablessedexemptionwas well suited to this honored servant of God who enjoyed suchwondrous privileges; but could not apply to us. The Spirit of God,therefore,movedtheapostletoemploythepluralnumberhere,toshowthat"nocondemnation"istrueofallinChristJesus.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in ChristJesus."TobeinChristJesusistobeperfectlyidentifiedwithHiminthejudicialreckoninganddealingsofGod.AnditisalsotobeonewithHimasvitallyunitedbyfaith.Immunityfromcondemnationdoesnotdependin any way upon our "walk," but solely on our being "in Christ." "Thebeliever is in Christ as Noah was enclosed within the ark, with theheavensdarkeningabovehim,andthewatersheavingbeneathhim,yetnot a drop of the flood penetrating his vessel, not a blast of the stormdisturbingtheserenityofhisspirit.ThebelieverisinChristasJacobwasinthegarmentof theelderbrotherwhenIsaackissedandblessedhim.Heis inChristas thepoorhomicidewaswithinthecityofrefugewhenpursued by the avenger of blood, but who could not overtake and slayhim" (OctaviusWinslow, 1857). And because he is "in Christ" there is,therefore,nocondemnationforhim.Hallelujah!

TheChristian'sAssurance

"Andweknow thatall thingswork together forgood to thosewho loveGod, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans8:28)

HowmanyofGod'schildrenhave,throughthecenturies,drawnstrengthandcomfort fromthisblessedverse. In themidstof trials,perplexities,and persecutions, this has been a rock beneath their feet. Though to

outwardsightthingsseemedtoworkagainsttheirgood;thoughtocarnalreason things appeared to be working for their ill; nevertheless, faithknewitwasforotherwise.Andhowgreatthelosstothosewhofailedtorest upon this inspired declaration; what unnecessary fears anddoubtingsweretheconsequence.

"Allthingsworktogether."Thefirstthoughtoccurringtousisthis:Whata glorious Being our God is, who is able to make all things so worktogether! What a frightful amount of evil there is in constant activity.Whatanalmostinfinitenumberofcreaturesthereareintheworld.Whatan incalculable quantity of opposing self-interests atwork.Whata vastarmy of rebels fighting against God.What multitudes of super-humancreatures ever opposing the Lord. And yet, high above all, is GOD, inundisturbed calm, complete master of the situation. There, from thethroneofHisexaltedmajesty,HeworksallthingsafterthecounselofHisownwill (Eph.1:11).Stand inawe, then,before thisOne inwhosesight"all nations are as nothing; and they are counted as less than nothing,andvanity"(Isaiah40:17).Bowinadorationbeforethis"highandloftyOnewhoinhabitseternity"(Isaiah57:15).LifthighyourpraiseuntoHimwhofromtheworstevil,canextractthegreatestgood.

"Allthingswork."Innaturethereisnosuchthingasavacuum,neitheristhereacreatureofGodthatfailstoserveitsdesignedpurpose.Nothingisidle.EverythingisenergizedbyGodsoastofulfill itsintendedmission.Allthingsarelaboringtowardthegrandendof theirCreator'spleasure:allaremovedatHisimperativebidding.

"All thingsworktogether."Theynotonlyoperate, theyco-operate; theyallactinperfectconcert,thoughnonebuttheanointedearcancatchthestrains of their harmony. All things work together, not simply butconjointly, as adjunct causes andmutual helps. That is why afflictionsseldom come solitary and alone. Cloud rises upon cloud; storm uponstorm. As with Job, one messenger of woe was quickly folowed byanother,burdenedwithtidingsofyetheaviersorrow.Nevertheless,evenhere faith may trace both the wisdom and love of God. It is thecompounding of the ingredients in the recipe, that constitutes itsbeneficent value. So with God: His dispensations not only "work," butthey"worktogether."SorecognizedthesweetsingerofIsrael—"Hedrew

meoutofmanywaters"(Psalm.18:16).

"All thingswork together forgoodto,"etc.Thesewords teachbelieversthat no matter what may be the number nor how overwhelming thecharacterofadversecircumstances, theyareall contributing to conductthemintothepossessionoftheinheritanceprovidedfortheminheaven.How wonderful is the providence of God in over-ruling the mostdisorderlythings,andinturningtoourgoodthingswhichinthemselvesare most pernicious!Wemarvel at His mighty power which holds theheavenly bodies in their orbits;wewonder at the continually recurringseasonsandtherenewaloftheearth;butthisisnotnearlysomarvelousas His bringing good out of evil in all the complicated occurrences ofhuman life, andmaking even the power andmalice of Satan, with thenaturally destructive tendency of his works, to minister good for Hischildren.

"All thingswork together for good." Thismust be so for three reasons.First,becauseallthingsareundertheabsolutecontroloftheGovernoroftheuniverse.Second,becauseGoddesiresourgood,andnothingbutourgood.Third,becauseevenSatanhimselfcannottouchahairofourheadswithout God's permission, and then only for our further good. Not allthingsaregoodinthemselves,norintheirtendencies;butGodmakesallthingsworkforourgood.Nothingentersourlifebyblindchance;norarethereanyaccidents.EverythingisbeingmovedbyGod,withthisendinview—ourgood.Everythingbeing subservient toGod's eternalpurpose,worksblessingtothosemarkedoutforconformitytotheimageofChrist.All suffering, sorrow, loss, are used by our Father to minister to thebenefitoftheelect.

"TothosewholoveGod."ThisisthegranddistinguishingfeatureofeverytrueChristian.Thereversemarksalltheunregenerate.Butthesaintsarethose who love God. Their creeds may differ in minor details; theirecclesiastical relationsmayvary inoutward form; theirgiftsandgracesmay be very unequal; yet, in this particular there is an essential unity.TheyallbelieveinChrist,theyallloveGod.TheyloveHimforthegiftofthe Savior; they loveHim as a Father inwhom theymay confide; theylove Him for His personal excellencies—His holiness, wisdom,faithfulness.TheyloveHimforHisconduct—forwhatHewithholdsand

forwhatHegrants—forwhatHerebukesandforwhatHeapproves.TheyloveHim even for the rodwhich disciplines, knowing thatHe does allthingswell.ThereisnothinginGod,andthereisnothingfromGod,forwhichthesaintsdonot loveHim.Andof this theyareallassured, "WeloveHimbecauseHefirstlovedus."

"TothosewholoveGod."But,alas,howlittleIloveGod!Isofrequentlymournmy lack of love, and chidemyself for the coldness ofmy heart.Yes,thereissomuchloveofselfandloveoftheworld,thatsometimesIseriouslyquestionifIhaveanyrealloveforGodatall.ButisnotmyverydesiretoloveGodagoodsymptom?IsnotmyverygriefthatIloveHimsolittleasureevidencethatIdonothateHim?Thepresenceofahardand ungrateful heart has beenmourned over by the saints of all ages."Love toGod is aheavenly aspiration, that is everkept in checkby thedragandrestraintofanearthlynature;andfromwhichweshallnotbeunbound until the soul has made its escape from the vile body, andcleareditsunfetteredwaytotherealmoflightandliberty"(Chalmers).

"Who are called." The word "called" is never, in the New TestamentEpistles, applied to those who are the recipients of a mere externalinvitation of the Gospel. The term always signifies an inward andeffectual call. It was a call over which we had no control, either inoriginatingorfrustratingit.SoinRomans1:6,7andmanyotherpassages:"Amongwhomareyoualso thecalledofJesusChrist: toall thatare inRome, beloved of God, called saints." Has this call reached you, myreader?Ministershavecalledyou;theGospelhascalledyou;consciencehas called you—but has theHoly Spirit called you with an inward andirresistiblecall?Haveyoubeenspirituallycalled—fromdarknesstolight,from death to life, from the world to Christ, from self to God? It is amatter of the greatest consequence that you should knowwhether youhavebeentrulycalledofGod.Has,then,thethrilling,life-givingmusicofthat call sounded and reverberated through all the chambers of yoursoul?ButhowmayIbesurethatIhavereceivedsuchacall?Thereisonething righthere inour textwhich should enable you to ascertain.Theywhohavebeenefficaciouslycalled,loveGod.InsteadofhatingHim,theynow esteemHim; instead of fleeing fromHim in terror, theynow seekHim; instead of caring not whether their conduct honored Him; their

deepestdesirenowistopleaseandglorifyHim.

"According to His purpose." The call is not according to themerits ofmen,butaccordingtotheDivinepurpose:"Whohassavedus,andcalleduswithanholycalling,notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtothisown purpose and grace, whichwas given us in Christ Jesus before theworld began" (2Tim. 1:9). Thedesign of theHoly Spirit in bringing inthislastclauseistoshowthatthereasonsomemenloveGodandothersdonot—istobeattributedsolelytothemeresovereigntyofGod.Itisnotforanythinginthemselves,butduealonetoHisdistinguishinggrace.

There isalsoapracticalvalue in this lastclause.Thedoctrinesof graceare intended fora furtherpurpose thanthatofmakingupacreed.Onemain design of them is tomove the affections; andmore especially toreawaken that affection to which the heart oppressed with fears, orweighed downwith cares, is wholly insufficient—even the love of God.That this love may flow perennially from our hearts, there must be aconstant recurring to that which inspired it and which is calculated toincrease it; just as to re-kindle your admiration of a beautiful scene orpicture,youwouldreturnagaintogazeuponit.ItisonthisprinciplethatsomuchstressislaidinScriptureonkeepingthetruthswhichwebelieveinmemory:"Bywhichalsoyouaresaved,ifyoukeepinmemorywhatIpreachedunto you" (1Cor. 15:2). "I stir up yourpuremindsbyway ofremembrance,"saidtheapostle(2Pet.3:1)."Dothisinremembranceofme"saidtheSavior.

It is, then, by going back in memory to that hour when, despite ourwretchedness and utter unworthiness,God called us, that our affectionwillbekeptfresh.Itisbyrecallingthewondrousgracethatthenreachedout to a hell-deserving sinner and snatched you as a brand from theburning—thatyourheartwillbedrawnoutinadoringgratitude.Anditisbydiscoveringthiswasduealonetothesovereignandeternal"purpose"ofGodthatyouwerecalledwhensomanyothersarepassedby,thatyourloveforHimwillbedeepened.

Returning to the opening words of our text, we find the apostle (asvoicingthenormalexperienceofthesaints)declares,"Weknowthatallthingswork together forgood." It issomethingmore thanaspeculative

belief.Thatallthingsworktogetherforgood,isevenmorethanaferventdesire.Itisnotthatwemerelyhopethatallthingswillsowork,butthatwearefullyassuredallthingsdosowork.Theknowledgeherespokenofisspiritual,notintellectual.Itisaknowledgerootedinourhearts,whichproducesconfidenceinthetruthofit.Itistheknowledgeoffaith,whichreceives everything from the benevolent hand of InfiniteWisdom. It istruethatwedonotderivemuchcomfortfromthisknowledgewhenoutoffellowshipwithGod.Norwillitsustainuswhenfaithisnotinoperation.ButwhenweareincommunionwiththeLord,wheninourweaknesswedo lean hard uponHim, then is this blessed assurance ours: "Youwillkeep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because hetrustsinYou"(Isaiah26:3).

AstrikingexemplificationofourtextissuppliedbythehistoryofJacob—onewhom in several respects each of us closely resembles. Heavy anddark was the cloud which settled upon him. Severe was the test, andfearful the trembling of his faith. His feet were almost gone. Hear hismournful plaint: "And Jacob their father said unto them, You havedeprivedmeofmychildren.JosephisnomoreandSimeonisnomore,andnowyouwant to takeBenjamin. Everything is againstme!" (Gen.42:36). And yet those circumstances, which to the dim eye of his faithwore a hue so somber, were at that very moment developing andperfecting theeventswhichwere to shedaround the eveningofhis lifethe halo of a glorious and cloudless sunset. All things were workingtogetherforhisgood!Andso,troubledsoul, the"muchtribulation"willsoonbeover,andasyouenterthe"kingdomofGod"youshallthensee,nolonger"throughaglassdarkly"butintheunshadowedsunlightoftheDivinepresence, that "all things"did "work together" for yourpersonalandeternalgood!

SufferingsCompensated

"ForIreckonthatthesufferingsofthispresenttimearenotworthytobe

comparedwiththeglorywhichshallberevealedinus"(Romans8:18).

Ah, says someone—that must have been written by a man who was astrangertosuffering,orbyoneacquaintedwithnothingmoretryingthanthemilderirritationsoflife.Notso!ThesewordswerepennedunderthedirectionoftheHolySpirit,andbyonewhodrankdeeplyofsorrow'scup,yes,byonewhosufferedafflictions in theirmostacute forms.Hearhisown testimony: "I have worked much harder, been in prison morefrequently,beenfloggedmoreseverely,andbeenexposedtodeathagainandagain.FivetimesIreceivedfromtheJewsthefortylashesminusone.ThreetimesIwasbeatenwithrods,onceIwasstoned,threetimesIwasshipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have beenconstantlyonthemove.Ihavebeenindangerfromrivers,indangerfrombandits,indangerfrommyowncountrymen,indangerfromGentiles;indanger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and indangerfromfalsebrothers.Ihavelaboredandtoiledandhaveoftengonewithout sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gonewithoutfood;Ihavebeencoldandnaked."2Corinthians11:23-27

"ForIreckonthatthesufferingsofthispresenttimearenotworthytobecomparedwiththeglorywhichshallberevealedinus."This,thenwasthesettled conviction—not of one of "fortune's favorites," not of one whofound life's journey a carpeted pathway, bordered with roses; but,instead,ofonewhowashatedbyhiskinsmen,whowasoft-timesbeatenblack and blue, who knew what it was to be deprived not only of thecomforts,butthebarenecessitiesoflife.How,thenshallweaccountforhis cheery optimism? What was the secret of his elevation over histroublesandtrials?

Thefirstthingwithwhichthesorely-triedapostlecomfortedhimself,wasthat the sufferings of theChristian arebut of briefduration—they are limited to "this present time." This is in sharp and solemncontrastfromthesufferingsoftheChrist-rejector.Hissufferingswillbeeternal—forevertormentedintheLakeofFire.But fardifferent is it forthe believer.His sufferings are restricted to this life on earth,which iscomparedtoaflowerthatcomesforthandiscutdown;toashadowthatflees and continues not. A few short years atmost, andwe shall passfrom this valley of tears into that blissful country where groans and

sighsareneverheard!

Second, the apostle looked forwardwith the eye of faith to "theglory."ToPaul"theglory"wassomethingmorethanabeautifuldream.It was a practical reality, exerting a powerful influence upon him,consolinghiminthewarmestandmosttryinghoursofadversity.Thisisoneoftherealtestsoffaith.TheChristianhasasolidsupportinthetimeofaffliction,whentheunbelieverhasnot.ThechildofGodknowsthatinhisFather'spresencethereis"fullnessofjoy,"andthatatHisrighthandthere are "pleasures forever more." And faith lays hold of them,appropriatesthem,andlives inthecomfortingcheerofthemevennow.Just as Israel in the wilderness were encouraged by a sight of whatawaited them in the promised land (Num. 13:23,26), so, the one whotodaywalksby faith,andnotbysight,contemplates thatwhicheyehasnotseen,norearheard—butwhichGodbyHisHolySpirithasrevealeduntous(1Cor.2:9,10).

Third,theapostlerejoicedin"theglorywhichshallberevealedinus."Allthatthismeanswearenotyetcapableofunderstanding.Butmorethanahinthasbeenshowntous.Therewillbe:

(a.)Thegloryofaperfectbody.Inthatday,theperishablemustclotheitselfwiththeimperishable,andthemortalwithimmortality.Thatwhichwassownindishonorshallberaisedinglory,andthatwhichwassowninweakness shall be raised in power. As we have borne the image of theearthly,weshallalsobearthe imageof theheavenly(1Cor.15:49).Thecontent of these expressions is summarized and amplified in Phil.3:20,21:"Butwearecitizensofheaven,wheretheLordJesusChristlives.AndweareeagerlywaitingforhimtoreturnasourSavior.Hewilltaketheseweakmortalbodiesofoursandchange them intogloriousbodieslike his own, using the samemighty power that hewill use to conquereverything,everywhere."

(b.)Therewillbe thegloryofatransformedmind. "Fornowwe seethroughaglassdarkly;butthenfacetoface:nowIknowinpart;butthenshallIknowevenasalsoIamknown"(1Cor.13:12).Oh,whatanorbofintellectual lightwill be eachglorifiedmind!What rangeof lightwill itencompass!Whatcapabilityofunderstandingwill itenjoy!Thenwillall

mysteriesbeunraveled,allproblemssolved,alldiscrepanciesreconciled.ThenshalleachtruthofGod'srevelation,eacheventofHisprovidence,eachdecisionofHisgovernment,standyetmoretransparentlyclearandresplendentthanthesunitself!Doyou,inyourpresentquestforspiritualknowledge, mourn the darkness of your mind, the weakness of yourmemory, the limitations of your intellectual faculties? Then rejoice inhope of the glory which is to be revealed in you—when all yourintellectual powers shall be renewed, developed, perfected—so that youshallknowevenasyouareknown!

(c.)Bestofall,therewillbethegloryofperfectholiness.God'sworkofgrace in us will then be completed. He has promised to "perfect thatwhich concerns us" (Psalm. 138:8). Then will be the consummation ofpurity.Wehavebeenpredestinatedtobe"conformedtotheimageofHisSon"(Romans8:29),andwhenweshallseeHim,"weshallbelikehim"(1 John 3:2). Then our minds will be no more defiled by evilimaginations, our consciences nomore sullied by a sense of guilt, ouraffectionsnomoreensnaredbyunworthyobjects.

What amarvelous prospect is this!A "glory" to be revealed inmewhonow can scarcely reflect a solitary ray of light! Inme—so wayward, sounworthy, so sinful—living so little in communionwithHimwhois theFather of lights! Can it be that in me this glory shall be revealed? SoaffirmstheinfallibleWordofGod.IfIamachildoflight—throughbeing"inHim"who is the effulgence of the Father's glory—even though nowdwelling amid the world's dark shades, one day I shall outshine thebrightnessoftheskies.AndwhentheLordJesusreturnstothisearth,Ishall"bemarveledatamongallthosewhohavebelieved"(2Thess.1:10).

Finally, the apostle here weighed the "sufferings" of this present timeoveragainstthe"glory"whichshallberevealedinus,andashedidsohedeclaredthattheoneis"notworthytobecompared"withtheother.Theone is transient—the other eternal. As, then, there is no proportionbetweenthefiniteandtheinfinite,sothereisnocomparisonbetweenthesufferingsofearth—andthegloryofheaven.Onesecondofglorywilloutweigh a lifetime of suffering!What were the years of toil, ofsickness,ofbattlingwithpoverty,ofsorrowinanyoreveryform—whencomparedwiththegloryofImmanuel'sland!Onedraughtoftheriverof

pleasureatGod'srighthand,onebreathofParadise,onehouramidtheblood-washedaroundthethrone—shallmorethancompensateforallthetearsandgroansofearth."ForIreckonthatthesufferingsofthispresenttime are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall berevealedinus."MaytheHolySpiritenablebothwriterandreadertolayhold of thiswith appropriating faith and live in the present possessionandenjoymentofit—tothepraiseofthegloryofDivinegrace.

TheGreatGiver

"HewhosparednotHisownSon,butdeliveredHimupforusall—howshallHenotwithHimalsofreelygiveusallthings?"(Romans8:32)

TheaboveversesuppliesuswithaninstanceofDivinelogic.Itcontainsaconclusiondrawnfromapremise; thepremise is thatGoddeliveredupChristforallHispeople,thereforeeverythingelsethatisneededbythemissuretobegiven.TherearemanyexamplesinHolyWritofsuchDivinelogic."IfthatishowGodclothesthegrassofthefield,whichisheretodayand tomorrow is thrown into the fire—will He not much more clotheyou?" (Matt. 6:30). "For if, when we were God's enemies, we werereconciledtohimthroughthedeathofHisSon—howmuchmore,havingbeen reconciled, shallwebe saved throughhis life!" (Romans5:10). "Ifyou, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to yourchildren—howmuchmorewill yourFather inheavengivegoodgifts tothosewho askHim!" (Matt. 7:11). So here in our text the reasoning isirresistibleandgoesstraighttotheunderstandingandheart.

OurtexttellsofthegraciouscharacterofourlovingGodasinterpretedbythegiftofHisSon.Andthis,notmerelyfortheinstructionofourminds,butforthecomfortandassuranceofourhearts.ThegiftofHisownSonis God's guarantee to His people of all needed blessings. The greaterincludes the lesser. His unspeakable spiritual gift is the pledge of allneededtemporalmercies.Noteinourtextfourthings:

1.TheFather'scostlysacrifice.

This brings before us a side of the truth upon which I fear we rarelymeditate.WedelighttothinkofthewondrousloveofChrist,whoselovewasstrongerthandeath,andwhodeemednosufferingtoogreatforHispeople.ButwhatmustithavemeanttotheheartoftheFatherwhenHisBelovedleftHisHeavenlyHome!Godislove,andnothingissosensitiveaslove.IdonotbelievethatDeityisemotionless,orstoical.IbelievethesendingforthoftheSonwassomethingwhichtheheartoftheFatherfelt—thatitwasarealsacrificeonHispart.

Weighwell then, the solemn factwhichpremises the surepromisethatfollows: God "spared notHis own Son!" Expressive, profound,meltingwords!Knowingfullwell,asHeonlycould,allthatredemptioninvolved—the Law rigid and unbending, insisting upon perfect obedience anddemanding death for its transgressors. Justice, stern and inexorable,requiringfullsatisfaction,refusingto"cleartheguilty."YetGodwithheldnottheonlySacrificewhichcouldmeetthecase.

God"sparednotHisownSon,"thoughknowingfullwellthehumiliationand ignominy of Bethlehem's manger, the ingratitude of men, the nothavingwheretolayHishead,thehatredandoppositionoftheungodly,the enmity and bruising of Satan-yetHe did not hesitate. God did notrelaxoughtoftheholyrequirementsofHisthrone,norabateonewhitoftheawfulcurse.No,He"sparednotHisownSon."Theutmost farthingwas exacted; the last dregs in the cup of wrathmust be drained. EvenwhenHisBeloved cried from theGarden, "if it bepossible, let this cuppassfromMe,"God"spared"Himnot.EvenwhenvilehandshadnailedHimto the tree,Godcried "Awake,O sword, againstMyShepherd, theman who is my Partner, says the Lord Almighty. Strike down theShepherd!"(Zech.13:7)

2.TheFather'sGraciousDesign.

"Butdeliveredhimupforusall."HerewearetoldwhytheFathermadesuchacostlysacrifice.HedidnotspareHisSon—thatHemightspareus!It was not lack of love to the Savior—but wondrous, matchless,fathomless love for us! Ohmarvel at thewondrous design of theMostHigh."GodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlybegottenSon."Truly,suchlovepassesknowledge.Moreover,Hemadethiscostlysacrificenot

grudginglyorreluctantly,butfreely—outofloveforus.

Once God had said to rebellious Israel, "How shall I give you up,Ephraim?"(Hosea11:8).InfinitelymorecausehadHetosaythisof theHolyOne,Hiswell-beloved, theOne inwhomHis souldailydelighted.Yet, He "delivered Him up"—to shame and spitting, to hatred andpersecution,tosufferinganddeathitself.AndHedeliveredHimupforus—descendants of rebellious Adam, depraved and defiled, corrupt andsinful,vileandworthless!Foruswhohadgoneintothe"farcountry"ofalienationfromHim,andtherespentoursubstanceinriotousliving.Yes,"for us" who had gone astray like sheep, each one turning to "his ownway."Forus"whowerebynaturethechildrenofwrath,evenasothers,"inwhomtheredweltnogoodthing.ForuswhohadrebelledagainstourCreator, hated His holiness, despised His Word, broken Hiscommandments,resistedHisSpirit.Foruswhorichlydeservedtobecastinto theeverlastingburningsandreceive thosewageswhichoursinssofullyearned.

Yes, for you fellow Christian, who are sometimes tempted to interpretyourafflictionsastokensofGod'shardness;whoregardyourpovertyasamark ofHis neglect, and your seasons of darkness as evidences ofHisdesertion. O, confess to Him now the wickedness of such dishonoringdoubtings,andneveragainquestiontheloveofHimwhosparednotHisownSon,butdeliveredHimupforusall.

Faithfulnessdemands that I shouldpointout thequalifyingpronouninourtext.ItisnotGod"deliveredhimupforall,"but"forusall."'Thisisdefinitelydefined in theverseswhich immediatelyprecede. Inv.31 thequestionisasked,"IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus?"Inv.30this"us"isdefinedasthosewhomGoddidpredestinateandhas"called"and"justified." The "us" are the high favorites of heaven, the objects ofsovereign grace.God's elect. And yet in themselves they are, by natureandpractice,deservingofnothingbutwrath.Butyet,thankGod,itis"usall"—the worst as well as the best, the five-hundred pounds debtor,equallyasmuchasthefive-pencedebtor.

3.TheSpirit'sBlessedInference.

Ponderwelltheglorious"conclusion"whichtheSpiritofGodheredrawsfromthewondrousfactstatedinthefirstpartofourtext,"HewhosparednothisownSon,butdeliveredhimupforusall,howshallhenotwithhim also freely give us all things." How conclusive and howcomforting is the inspired reasoning of the apostle. Arguing from thegreater to the lesser, He proceeds to assure the believer of God'sreadiness to also freely bestow all needed blessings. The gift of HisownSon, so ungrudgingly and unreservedly bestowed, is thepledgeofeveryotherneededmercy.

Hereistheunfailingguarantyandpledgeofperpetualreassurancetothedroopingspiritofthetriedbeliever.IfGodhasdonethegreater—willHeleave the less undone? Infinite love can never change. That lovewhichspared not Christ—cannot fail its objects nor begrudge any neededblessings.Thesadthingisthatourheartsdwelluponwhatwehavenot—insteadofuponwhatwedohave.ThereforetheSpiritofGodwouldherestill our restless self-communings and quiet the repinings of ignorancewithasoul-satisfyingknowledgeofthetruth,byremindingusnotonlyoftherealityofourinterestintheloveofGod,butalsooftheextentofthatblessingwhichflowstherefrom.

Weighwellwhat is involved in the logic of this verse. First, the greatGift was given unasked; will He not bestow others for the asking?NoneofussupplicatedGodtosendforthHisBeloved;yetHesentHim!Now,wemaycometothethroneofgraceandtherepresentourrequestsinthevirtuousandall-efficaciousnameofChrist.

Second,theonegreatGiftcostHimmuch;willHenotthenbestowthe lesser gifts which cost Him nothing but the delight of giving! If afriend were to give me a valuable picture, would he begrudge thenecessary paper and string towrap it in?Or if a loved onemademe apresentofapreciousjewel,wouldherefusealittleboxtocarryitin?HowmuchlesswillHewhosparednotHisownSon,withholdanygoodthingfromthemthatwalkuprightly.

Third,theoneGiftwasbestowedwhenwewereenemies;willnotthenGodbegracioustousnowthatwehavebeenreconciledandareHisfriends?IfHehaddesignsofmercyforuswhilewewereyetinoursins,

how much more will He regard us favorably now that we have beencleansedfromallsinbythepreciousbloodofHisSon!

4.TheComfortingPromise.

Observethetensethatisusedhere.Itisnot"howhashenotwithhimalsofreelygivenusallthings,"thoughthisisalsotrue,forevennowarewe "heirs of God" (Romans 8:17). But our text goes further than this:"HowshallhenotwithHimalso freely give us all things?" The secondhalfofthiswondrousversecontainssomethingmorethanarecordofthepast; it supplies reassuring confidence both for the present and for thefuture. No time-limits are to be set upon this "shall." Both now in thepresentandforeverandeverinthefutureGodshallmanifestHimselfasthegreatGiver.NothingforHisgloryandforourgood,willHewithhold.The sameGodwhodeliveredupChrist forus all "doesnot change likeshiftingshadows."

MarkthemannerinwhichGodgives:"Howshallhenotwithhimalsofreelygive us all things?"God does not have to be coaxed; there is noreluctanceinHimforustoovercome.Heisevermorewillingtogivethanwearetoreceive.Again,Heisundernoobligationstoany;ifHewere,Hewouldbestowofnecessity,insteadofgiving"freely."EverrememberthatHehasaperfectrighttodowithHisownasHepleases.HeisfreetogivetowhomHewills.

Theword"freely"notonlysignifiesthatGodisundernoconstraint,butalsomeansthatHemakesnochargeforHisgifts,HeplacesnopriceonHisblessings.Godisnoretailerofmerciesorbartererofgoodthings;ifHewere,justicewouldrequireHimtochargeexactlywhateachblessingwas worth, and then who among the children of Adam could find thepayment?No,blessedbeHisname,God'sgiftsare"withoutmoneyandwithoutprice"—unmeritedandunearned.

Finally, rejoice over the comprehensiveness of this promise: "Howshall he not with him also freely give us all things?" The Holy SpiritwouldhereregaleuswiththeextentofGod'swondrousgrant.Whatisityouneed, fellowChristian? Is itpardon?Then hasHe not said, "Ifweconfess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to

cleanseusfromallunrighteousness"(IJohn1:9)?Isitgrace?ThenhasHenotsaid,"Godisabletomakeallgraceaboundtowardyou;thatyou,always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every goodwork"(2Cor.9:8)?Isitathornintheflesh?thistoowillbegiven"therewasgiventomeathornintheflesh"(2Cor.12:7).Isitrest?ThenheedtheSavior'sinvitation,"ComeuntoMe...andIwillgiveyourest(Matt.11:28).Isitcomfort?IsHenottheGodofallcomfort(2Cor.1:3)?"

"HowshallhenotwithHimalsofreelygiveusallthings?"Isittemporalmerciesthatthereaderisinneedof?Areyourcircumstancesadversesothat you are filledwithdismal forebodings?Does your cruse of oil andbarrelofmeallookasthoughtheywillsoonbequiteempty?ThenspreadyourneedbeforeGod, anddo it in simple childlike faith.Do you thinkthatHewill bestow the greater blessings of grace—and deny the lesseronesofProvidence?No!"MyGodshallsupplyallyourneed"(Phil.4:19).True,Hehasnotpromisedtogiveallyouask,forweoftenask"amiss."Markthequalifyingclause:"HowshallhenotwithHimalsofreelygiveusall things?"Weoftendesire thingswhichwouldcome inbetweenusandChrist if theywere granted, therefore doesGod inHis faithfulnesswithholdthem.

Herethenare four thingswhichshouldbringcomfort toeveryrenewedheart.

TheFather'scostlysacrifice.OurGod isagivingGodandno goodthingdoesHewithholdfromthosewhowalkuprightly.

TheFather'sgraciousdesign.ItwasforusthatChristwasdeliveredup;itwasourhighestandeternalintereststhatHehadatheart.

TheSpirit's infallible inference.The greater includes the less; theunspeakableGiftguaranteesthebestowmentofallotherneededfavors.

Thecomfortingpromise.Itssure foundation, itspresentand futurescope,itsblessedextent—arefortheassuringofourheartsandthepeaceofourminds.

MaytheLordaddHisblessingtothislittlemeditation.

TheDivineRememberer

"He remembered us in our low estate: forHismercy endures forever."(Psalm136:23)

"He remembered us." This is in striking and blessed contrast from ourforgettings ofHim. Like every other faculty of our beings, thememoryhasbeenaffectedbytheFallandbearsonitthemarksofdepravity.Thisis seen from its power to retain what is worthless, and thedifficultyencounteredtoholdfastthatwhichisgood.Afoolishnursery-rhymeorsongheardinyouth,iscarriedwithustothegrave;ahelpful sermon is forgotten within twenty-four hours! But most tragicandsolemnofallistheeasewithwhichweforgetGodandHiscountlessmercies. But, blessed be His name, God never forgets us. He is thefaithfulRememberer.

Wewereverymuchimpressedwhen,onconsultingtheconcordance,wefoundthatthefirstfivetimestheword"remember"isusedinScripture,ineachcaseitisconnectedwithGod."AndGodrememberedNoah,andeverylivingthing,andall thecattlethatwaswithhimintheark"(Gen.8:1)."Andtherainbowshallbeinthecloud;andIwilllookuponit,thatImay remember the everlasting covenant between God and every livingcreatureofall fleshthat isupontheearth"(Gen.9:16)."Anditcametopass,whenGoddestroyed thecitiesof theplain, thatGodrememberedAbraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when Heoverthrew the cities in thewhichLotdwelt" (Gen. 19:29), etc.The firsttime it isusedofmanwe read, "Yetdidnot the chiefbutler rememberJoseph,butforgothim"(Gen.40:23)!

ThehistoricalreferencehereistothechildrenofIsrael,whentheyweretoilingamidthebrick-kilnsofEgypt.Trulytheywereina"lowestate":anation of slaves, groaning beneath the lash of merciless task-masters,oppressed by a godless and heartless king. But when there was none

other eye to pity, Jehovah looked upon them and heard their cries ofdistress.He "remembered" them in their low estate. Andwhy? Exodus2:24,25 tells us: "AndGodheard their groaning, andGod rememberedHiscovenantwithAbraham,withIsaac,andwithJacob.AndGodlookeduponthechildrenofIsrael,andGodhadrespectuntoit."

But our text is not to be limited to the literal seed of Abraham: it hasreference to the whole "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16). The saints of thispresentDayofsalvationalsouniteinsaying,"Herememberedusinourlowestate."How"low"wasour"estate"bynature!Asfallencreatureswelayinourmiseryandwretchedness,unabletodeliverorhelpourselves.But, in wondrous grace, God took pity on us. His strong arm reacheddown and rescued us. He came to where we lay, saw us, and hadcompassion on us (Luke 10:33). Therefore can each Christian say, "Hebroughtmeupalsooutofanhorriblepit,outofthemiryclay,andsetmyfeetuponarock,andestablishedmygoings"(Psalm40:2).

And why did He "remember" us? The very word "remember" tells ofprevious thoughts of love and mercy towards us. As it was with thechildrenof Israel inEgypt,so itwaswithus inourruinedconditionbynature.He"remembered"Hiscovenant,thatcovenantintowhichHehadentered with our Surety from everlasting. As we read in Titus 1:2 ofeternal life"whichGod, thatcannot lie,promisedbefore theworldwas.PromisedtoChrist,thatHewouldgivethateternallifetothoseforwhomourcovenantHeadshouldtransact.Yes,God"remembered"thatHehad"chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4),thereforedidHe,induetime,bringusfromdeathuntolife.

YetthisblessedwordgoesbeyondourinitialexperienceofGod'ssavinggrace. Historically, our text refers not only to God remembering Hispeople while they were in Egypt, but also, as the context shows,whiletheywereintheWilderness,ontheirwaytothePromisedLand.Israel'sexperiences in the desert but foreshadow the saints' walk through thishostileworld.AndJehovah's"remembrance"ofthem,manifestedinthedaily supplyof their everyneed, adumbrated the richprovisionsofHisgraceforuswhilewejourneytoourHomeonHigh.Ourpresentestate,hereonearth,isbutalowlyone,forwedonotnowreignaskings.Yet,isourGodevermindfulofus,andhourlydoesHeministertous.

"Whorememberedusinourlowestate."Notalwaysarewepermittedtodwell upon themount. As in the natural world, so in our experiences.Bright and sunny days give place to dark and cloudy ones: summer isfollowed by winter. Disappointments, losses, afflictions, bereavementscame our way, and we were brought low. And ofttimes just when weseemed to most need the comfort of friends, they failed us. Those wecounted on to help, forgot us. But, even then, there was One "whoremembered us" and showed Himself to be "the same yesterday andtodayandforever,"andthendidweproveafreshthat"Hismercyenduresforever."

"Whorememberedus inour lowestate."Therearesomewhomayreadtheselinesthatwillthinkofanotherapplicationofthesewords:namely,the timewhen you left your first love,when your heart grew cold, andyour life becameworldly.When youwere in a sadly backslidden state.Then, indeed,was your estate a lowone; yet even thendidour faithfulGod"remember"you.Yes,eachofushascausetosaywiththePsalmist"Herestoresmysoul;HeleadsmeinthepathsofrighteousnessforHisname'ssake"(23:3).

"Whorememberedusinourlowestate."Stillanotherapplicationofthesewordsmay bemade, namely, to the last great crisis of the saint, as hepasses out of thisworld. As the vital spark of the body grows dim andnature fails, then too is our "estate" low. But then also the Lordremembers us, for "Hismercy endures forever.Man's extremity is butGod's opportunity. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It isthenthathe"remembers"usbymakinggoodHiscomfortingpromises,"Fearnot,forIamwithyou;benotdismayed,forIamyourGod;Iwillstrengthenyou,yes,Iwillhelpyou,yes,IwillupholdyouwiththerighthandofMyrighteousness"(Isaiah41:10).

"Whorememberedus inour lowestate."Surely this textwill furnishuswith suitablewords to express our thanksgivingwhenwe are atHome,presentwith theLord.Howwe shall thenpraiseHim forHis covenantfaithfulness, His matchless grace, and His loving kindness, for having"rememberedusinourlowestate!"Thenshallweknow,evenasweareknown. Our very memories will be renewed, perfected, and we shall

rememberallthewaytheLordourGodhasledus"(Deut.8:2),recallingwith gratitude and joy His faithful remembrances, acknowledging withadorationthat"Hismercyenduresforever!"

TriedbyFire

"But he knows theway that I take;whenhe has triedme I shall comeforthasgold."(Job23:10)

Jobhere corrects himself. In the beginning of the chapterwe find himsaying:"Eventodayismycomplaintbitter:mystrokeisheavierthanmygroaning"(verses1&2).PoorJobfeltthathislotwasunbearable.Butherecovershimself.Hecheckshishastyoutburstandreviseshisimpetuousdecision.Howoftenweallhavetocorrectourselves!OnlyOnehaseverwalkedthisearthwhoneverhadoccasiontodoso.

Job here comforts himself. He could not fathom the mysteries ofProvidencebutGodknewthewayhetook.JobhaddiligentlysoughtthecalmingpresenceofGod,but,foratime,invain.BeholdIgoforward,buthe is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him. On the lefthand,wherehedoeswork,butIcannotbeholdhim"(verses8&9).Butheconsoledhimselfwiththisblessedfact—thoughIcannotseeGod,whatis a thousand times better, He can seeme—"He knows." One above isneither unmindful nor indifferent to our lot. IfHe notices the fall of asparrow, ifHe counts thehairsof ourheads, of course "Heknows" thewaythatItake.

Job here enunciates a noble view of life.How splendidly optimistic hewas!Hedidnotallowhisafflictionstoturnhimintoaskeptic.Hedidnotpermit the sore trials and troubles through which he was passing tooverwhelm him.He looked at the bright side of the dark cloud—God'sside,hiddenfromsenseandreason.Hetookalongviewoflife.Helookedbeyond the immediate 'fiery trials"andsaid that theoutcomewouldbe

goldrefined."ButheknowsthewaythatItake:whenhehastriedmeIshall come forth as gold." Three great truths are expressed here: let usbrieflyconsidereachseparately.

1.TheDivineKnowledgeofMyLife.

"He knows theway that I take." The omniscience of God is one of thewondrousattributesofDeity."Forhiseyesareuponthewaysofman,andhe sees all his goings" (Job 34:21). "The eyes of the Lord are in everyplace, beholding the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3). Spurgeon said,"One of the greatest tests of experimental religion is, What is myrelationshiptoGod'somniscience?"Whatisyourrelationshiptoit,dearreader?Howdoesitaffectyou?Doesitdistressorcomfortyou?DoyoushrinkfromthethoughtofGodknowingallaboutyourway?perhaps,alying,selfish,hypocriticalway!Tothesinnerthisisaterriblethought.Hedeniesit,orifnot,heseekstoforgetit.ButtotheChristian,hereisrealcomfort.HowcheeringtorememberthatmyFatherknowsallaboutmytrials, my difficulties, my sorrows, my efforts to glorify Him. PrecioustruthforthoseinChrist;harrowingthoughtforalloutofChrist—thatthewayIamtakingisfullyknowntoandobservedbyGod.

"HeknowsthewaythatItake."MendidnotknowthewaythatJobtook.He was grievously misunderstood, and for one with a sensitivetemperament to be misunderstood, is a sore trial. His very friendsthought he was a hypocrite. They believed he was a great sinner andbeingpunishedbyGod.Jobknewthathewasanunworthysaint,butnotahypocrite.Heappealedagainsttheircensoriousverdict."HeknowsthewaythatItake:whenhehastriedmeIshallcomeforthasgold."Hereisinstructionforuswhenlikecircumstanced.Fellow-believer,yourfellow-men, yes, and your fellow-Christians, may misunderstand you, andmisinterpret God's dealings with you: but console yourself with theblessedfactthattheomniscientOneknows.

"He knows the way that I take." In the fullest sense of the word Jobhimself did not know the way that he took, nor do any of us. Life isprofoundlymysterious,andthepassingoftheyearsoffernosolution.Nordoes philosophizing help us. Human volition is a strange enigma.Consciousnessbearswitnessthatwearemorethanmachines.Thepower

ofchoiceisexercisedbyusineverymovewemake.Andyetitisplainthatour freedom isnot absolute.There are forces brought to bearupon us,bothgoodandevil,whicharebeyondourpowertoresist.Bothheredityandenvironmentexercisepowerfulinfluencesuponus.Oursurroundingsand circumstances are factors which cannot be ignored. And what ofprovidence,which shapes our destinies?Ah, how little dowe know thewaywhichwe"take."Saidtheprophet,"Iknow,OLord,thataman'slifeisnothisown;itisnotformantodirecthissteps"(Jer.10:23).Hereweenter the realm of mystery, and it is idle to deny it. Better far toacknowledgewiththewiseman,"Man'sgoingsareoftheLord;howcanamanthenunderstandhisownway?"(Proverbs20:24).

InthenarrowersenseofthetermJobdidknowthewaywhichhetook.What that "way" was he tells us in the next two verses. "My feet havecloselyfollowedHissteps;IhavekepttoHiswaywithoutturningaside.Ihavenotdepartedfromthecommandsofhislips;Ihavetreasuredthewordsofhismouthmorethanmydailybread"(Job23:11,12).ThewayJob chosewas the bestway, the scripturalway,God'sway—"Hisway."Whatdoyouthinkofthatway,dearreader?Wasitnotagrandselection?Ah, not only "patient," butwise Job!Have youmade a similar choice?Canyousay,"MyfeethavecloselyfollowedHissteps;IhavekepttoHiswaywithout turning aside"? (verse 11). If you can, praiseHim forHisenabling grace. If you cannot, confess with shame your failure toappropriateHisall-sufficientgrace.Getdownonyourkneesatonce,andunbosomyourself toGod.Hideandkeepbacknothing.Remember it iswritten"Ifwe confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us oursins,andtocleanseus fromallunrighteousness"(IJohn1:9).Doesnotverse12explainyourfailure,myfailure,dearreader?IsitnotbecausewehavenottrembledbeforeGod'scommandments,andbecausewehavesolightlyesteemedHisWord,thatwehave"declined"fromHisway!Thenlet us, even now, and daily, seek grace from on high to heed HiscommandmentsandhideHisWordinourhearts.

"HeknowsthewaythatItake."Whichwayareyoutaking?—theNarrowWaywhichleadsuntolife,or 'theBroadRoadthatleadstodestruction?Makecertainonthispoint,dearfriend.Scripturedeclares,"SoeveryoneofusshallgiveaccountofhimselftoGod"(Romans14:12).Butyouneed

notbedeceivedoruncertain.TheLorddeclared,"IamTheWay"(John14:6).

2.DivineTesting

"Whenhehas triedme.""Therefiningpot is forsilver,and the furnacefor gold: but theLord tries thehearts" (Proverbs 17:3). ThiswasGod'swaywithIsraelofold,anditisHiswaywithChristiansnow.JustbeforeIsrael entered Canaan, as Moses reviewed their history since leavingEgypt,hesaid,"AndyoushallrememberallthewaywhichtheLordyourGod led you these forty years in thewilderness, to humble you, and toproveyou,andtoknowwhatas inyourheart,whetheryouwouldkeephiscommandments,ornot"(Deut.8:2).InthesamewayGodtries,tests,proves,humblesus.

"When he has tried me." If we realized this more, we should bear upbetterinthehourofafflictionandbemorepatientundersuffering.Thedaily irritations of life, the things which annoy somuch—what is theirmeaning?why are they permitted?Here is the answer:God is "trying"you! That is the explanation (in part, at least) of that disappointment,thatcrushingofyourearthlyhopes,thatgreatloss—Godwas, is, testingyou.God is tryingyour temper,yourcourage,your faith,yourpatience,yourlove,yourfidelity.

"Whenhehas triedme."HowfrequentlyGod'ssaintsseeonlySatanasthe causeof their troubles.They regard the great enemyas responsibleformuchoftheirsufferings.Butthereisnocomfortfortheheartinthis.Wedonotdeny that theDevildoesbringaboutmuch thatharassesus.ButaboveSatan is theLordAlmighty!TheDevilcannot touchahair ofourheadswithoutGod'spermission,andwhenhe isallowed todisturbanddistractus,eventhenitisonlyGodusinghimto"try"us.Letuslearnthen, to look beyond all secondary causes and instruments to thatOnewhoworksallthingsafterthecounselofHisownwill(Eph.1:11).ThisiswhatJobdid.

Intheopeningchapterofthebookwhichbearshisname,wefindSatanobtaining permission to afflict God's servant. He used the Sabeans todestroyJob'sherds(verse15):hesenttheChaldeanstoslayhisservants

(verse17):hecausedagreatwindtokillhischildren(verse19).AndwhatwasJob'sresponse?This:heexclaimed"TheLordgave,andtheLordhastakenaway;blessedbethenameoftheLord"(1:21).Joblookedbeyondthehumanagents,beyondSatanwhoemployed them, to theLordwhocontrolsall.HerealizedthatitwastheLord,whowastryinghim.WegetthesamethingintheNewTestament.TothesufferingsaintsatSmyrnaJohnwrote,"Fearnoneofthosethingswhichyoushallsuffer;behold,thedevil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried" (Rev.2:10).TheirbeingcastintoprisonwassimplyGodtryingthem.

Howmuchwelosebyforgettingthis!Whatastayforthetrouble-tossedhearttoknowthatnomatterwhatformthetestingmaytake,nomatterwhattheagentwhichannoys,itisGodwhois"trying"Hischildren.Whata perfect example the Savior sets us.WhenHewas approached in thegarden and Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, theSaviorsaid,"ThecupwhichMyFatherhasgivenMe,shallInotdrinkit?"(John 18:11). Men were about to vent their awful rage upon Him, theSerpentwould bruise His heel—but He looks above and beyond them.Dearreader,nomatterhowbitter its contents, (infinitely less than thatwhichtheSaviordrained)letusacceptthecupasfromtheFather'shand.

InsomemoodsweareapttoquestionthewisdomandrightofGodtotryus.SooftenwemurmuratHisdispensations.WhyshouldGodlaysuchanintolerableburdenuponme?Whyshouldothersbesparedtheirlovedones,andminetaken?Whyshouldhealthandstrength,perhapsthegiftofsight,bedeniedme?Thefirstanswertoallsuchquestionsis,"whoareyou,Oman, to talkback toGod?" It iswicked insubordination for anycreaturetocallintoquestionthedealingsofthegreatCreator."Shallthethingformedsaytohimthatformedit—WhyhaveYoumademethus?"(Romans9:20).HowearnestlyeachofusneedtocryuntoGod,thatHisgrace may silence our rebellious lips and still the tempest within ourdesperatelywickedhearts!

But to thehumble soulwhichbows in submissionbefore the sovereigndispensations of the all-wise God, Scripture affords some light on theproblem.Thislightmaynotsatisfyreason,butitwillbringcomfortandstrengthwhenreceivedinchild-likefaithandsimplicity.In1Peter1:6weread;"Inthis(God'ssalvation)yougreatlyrejoice,thoughnowforalittle

whileyoumayhavehad tosuffergrief inallkindsof trials.Thesehavecomesothatyourfaith--ofgreaterworththangold,whichperisheseventhoughrefinedbyfire--maybeprovedgenuineandmayresultinpraise,gloryandhonorwhenJesusChrist is revealed."Note three thingshere.First, there is a needs-be for the trial of faith. SinceGod says it, let usacceptit.Second,thistryingoffaithisprecious,farmoresothanofgold.ItisprecioustoGod(cf.Psalm116:15)andwillyetbesotous.Third,thepresent trial has in view the future. Where the trial has been meeklyenduredandbravelyborne,therewillbeagrandrewardattheappearingofourRedeemer.

Again,in1Pet.4:12,13wearetold:"Beloved,donotbesurprisedatthepainful trial you are suffering, as though something strange werehappening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings ofChrist, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." Thesamethoughtsareexpressedhereas inthepreviouspassage.Thereisaneeds-beforour"trials"andthereforewearenottobesurprisedatthem—weshouldexpectthem.And,too,thereisagaintheblessedoutlookofbeingrichlyrecompensedatChrist'sreturn.Thenthereistheaddedwordthat not only shouldwemeet these trials with faith's fortitude, but weshouldrejoiceinthem,inasmuchaswearepermittedtohavefellowshipin "the sufferings of Christ." He, too, suffered: sufficient then, for thediscipletobeashisMaster.

"Whenhehastriedme."DearChristianreader,therearenoexceptions.GodhadonlyoneSonwithoutsin,butneveronewithoutsorrow.Soonerorlater,inoneformoranother,trial—soreandheavy-willbeourlot."WesentTimothy,who isourbrotherandGod's fellowworker in spreadingthe gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, sothatnoonewouldbeunsettledbythesetrials.Youknowquitewell thatweweredestinedforthem."(1Thess.3:2,3).Andagainitiswritten,"Wemust through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts14:22).Ithasbeensoineveryage.Abramwas"tried,"triedseverely.So,too,wereJoseph,Jacob.Moses,David,Daniel,theApostles,etc.

3.TheUltimateOutcome.

"Ishallcomeforthasgold."Observethetensehere.Jobdidnotimagine

thathewaspuregoldalready."Ishallcomeforthasgold,"hedeclared.Heknewfullwellthattherewasyetmuchdrossinhim.Hedidnotboastthathewasalreadyperfect.Farfromit.Inthefinalchapterofhisbookwefindhimsaying,"Iabhormyself"(42:6).Andwellhemight—andwellmaywe!Aswediscoverthatinourfleshtheredwells"nogoodthing,"asweexamineourselvesandourwaysinthelightofGod'sWordandbeholdour innumerable failures, as we think of our countless sins, both ofomissionandcommission,goodreasonhaveweforabhorringourselves.Ah,Christianreader,thereismuchdrossaboutus.Butitwillnoteverbethus.

"Ishallcomeforthasgold."Jobdidnotsay,"WhenhehastriedmeImaycome forth as gold," or "I hope to come forth as gold," but with fullconfidence and positive assurance he declared, "I shall come forth asgold." But how did he know this? How can we be sure of the happyoutcome?Because theDivinepurpose cannot fail.Hewhohasbegunagood work in us "will finish it" (Phil. 1:6). How can we be sure of thehappyissue?BecausetheDivinepromise issure:"TheLordwillperfectthatwhichconcernsme"(Psalm138:8).Thenbeofgoodcheer,triedandtroubled one. The process may be unpleasant and painful, but theoutcomeischarmingandsure.

"Ishallcomeforthasgold."Thiswassaidbyonewhoknewafflictionandsorrowasfewamongthesonsofmenhaveknownthem.Yetdespitehisfierytrialshewasoptimistic.Letthenthistriumphantlanguagebeours."Ishallcomeforthasgold"isnotthelanguageofcarnalboasting,buttheconfidence of onewhosemindwas stayed uponGod. There will be nocredit to our account—the glory will all belong to the Divine Refiner.James1:12.

For the present there remain two things: first, Love is the Divinethermometerwhileweareinthecrucibleoftesting—"Andheshallsit(thepatience ofDivine grace) as aRefiner andPurifier of silver," etc. (Mal.3:3).Second,theLordHimselfiswithusinthefieryfurnace,asHewaswiththethreeyoungHebrews(Dan.3:25).Forthefuturethisissure—themost wonderful thing in heaven will not be the golden street or thegoldenharps—but golden souls onwhich is stamped the imageofGod,"predestinatedtobeconformedtotheimageofhisSon!"PraiseGodfor

such a glorious prospect, such a victorious outcome, such amarvelousend!

DivineChastisement

"Myson,despisenotthechasteningoftheLord,norfaintwhenyouarerebukedbyHim."(Hebrews12:5)

ItisoffirstimportancethatwelearntodrawasharpdistinctionbetweenDivinepunishmentandDivinechastisement—importantformaintainingthehonorandgloryofGod,andfor thepeaceofmindof theChristian.Thedistinctionisverysimple,yetisitoftenlostsightof.God'speoplecanneverbyanypossibilitybepunished for their sins, forGod has alreadypunished them at the Cross. The Lord Jesus, our Blessed Substitute,sufferedthefullpenaltyofallourguilt,henceitiswritten"ThebloodofJesusChristhisSoncleansesusfromallsin."Neitherthejusticenorthelove of God will permit Him to again exact payment of what Christdischarged to the full. The difference between punishment andchastisementliesnotinthenatureofthesufferingsoftheafflicted—itismost important to bear this in mind. There is a threefold distinctionbetweenthetwo.

First, the character inwhichGod acts. In the former God acts asJudge, in the latter as Father. Sentence of punishment is the act of ajudge,apenalsentencepassedonthosechargedwithguilt.PunishmentcanneverfalluponthechildofGodinthisjudicialsensebecausehisguiltwasalltransferredtoChrist:"WhoHisownselfboreoursinsinHisownbodyonthetree."

But while the believer's sins cannot be punished, while the Christiancannot be condemned (Romans 8:3), yet he may be chastised. TheChristianoccupiesanentirelydifferentpositionfromthenon-Christian:heisamemberoftheFamilyofGod.TherelationshipwhichnowexistsbetweenhimandGodisthatofparentandchild;andasasonhemustbedisciplinedforwrongdoing.Folly is boundup in thehearts of allGod's

children,andtherodisnecessarytorebuke,tosubdue,tohumble.

The second distinction between Divine punishment and Divinechastisement lies in therecipientsof each. The objects of the formerareHisenemies.ThesubjectsofthelatterareHischildren.AstheJudgeofalltheearth,GodwillyettakevengeanceonallHisfoes.AstheFatherofHisfamily,GodmaintainsdisciplineoverallHischildren.Theoneisjudicial,theotherparental.

Athirddistinctionisseeninthedesignofeach.Theoneisretributive,the other remedial. The one flows fromHis anger, the other fromHislove. Divine punishment is never sent for the good of unrepentantsinners, but for the honoring of God's law and the vindicating of Hisgovernment. But Divine chastisement is sent for the well-being of Hischildren: "We have all had human fathers who disciplined us and werespectedthemforit.HowmuchmoreshouldwesubmittotheFatherofour spirits and live!Our fathers disciplinedus for a littlewhile as theythoughtbest;butGoddisciplinesusforourgood,thatwemayshare inhisholiness."(Heb.12:9-10).

The abovedistinction should at once rebuke the thoughtswhich are sogenerally entertained among Christians.When the believer is smartingundertherodlethimnotsay—Godisnowpunishingmeformysins.Thatcan never be. That ismost dishonoring to the blood of Christ.God iscorrecting you in love—not smiting in wrath! Nor should theChristianregardthechasteningoftheLordasasortofnecessaryeviltowhich he must bow as submissively as possible. No, it proceeds fromGod'sgoodnessandfaithfulness,andisoneof thegreatestblessingsforwhichwehavetothankHim.ChastisementevidencesourDivinesonship.Thefatherofafamilydoesnotconcernhimselfwiththoseontheoutside:butheguidesanddisciplineshisownchildren,tomakethemconformtohiswill.Chastisement isdesigned forourgood, topromoteourhighestinterests.Lookbeyondtherod—totheAll-wisehandwhichwieldsit!

The Hebrew Christians to whom this Epistle was first addressed werepassing through a great fight of afflictions, and miserably were theyconducting themselves. Theywere the little remnant out of the JewishnationwhohadbelievedontheirMessiahduringthedaysofHispublic

ministry,plusthoseJewswhohadbeenconvertedunderthepreachingoftheapostles. It ishighlyprobable that theyhadexpected theMessianicKingdomwouldatoncebesetuponearthandthattheywouldbeallottedthechief places of honor in it. But theMillenniumhadnot begun, andtheirownlotbecameincreasinglybitter.TheywerenotonlyhatedbytheGentiles, but ostracized by their unbelieving brethren, and it became ahard matter for them to make even a bare living. Providence held afrowningface.ManywhohadmadeaprofessionofChristianity,hadgonebacktoJudaismandwereprosperingtemporally.AstheafflictionsofthebelievingJewsincreased,theytooweresorelytemptedtoturntheirbackupon the new Faith. Had they been wrong in embracing Christianity?WashighHeavendispleasedbecausetheyhadidentifiedthemselveswithJesusofNazareth?DidnottheirsufferinggotoshowthatGodnolongerregardedthemwithfavor?

Now it ismost instructive and blessed to see how the Apostlemet theunbelieving reasoning of their hearts. He appealed to their ownScriptures!HeremindedthemofanexhortationfoundinProverbs3:11-12,andappliedittotheircase.Notice,first,thewordsweplaceinitalics:"Youhaveforgottentheexhortationwhichspeaksuntoyou."Thisshowsthat the exhortationsof theOldTestamentwerenot restricted to thosewho lived under the old covenant: they apply with equal force anddirectnesstothoseofuslivingunderthenewcovenant.Letusnotforgetthat"allScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGodandisprofitable"(2Tim.3:16) The Old Testament equally as much as the New Testament waswrittenforourlearningandadmonition.

Second, mark the tense of the verb in our opening text: "You haveforgottentheexhortationwhichspeaks."TheApostlequotedasentenceof theWordwrittenone thousandyearspreviously,yethedoesnot say"whichhasspoken,"but"whichspeaks."Thesameprincipleisillustratedin that sevenfold"Hewhohasanear, lethimhearwhat theSpirit says(not"said")untothechurches"ofRev.2and3.TheHolyScripturesarealivingWordinwhichGodisspeakingtoday!

Consider now the words "You have forgotten." It was not that theseHebrew Christians were unacquainted with Proverbs 3:11 and 12—butthey had let them slip. They had forgotten the Fatherhood of God and

their relation of Him as His dear children. In consequence theymisinterpreted both the manner and design of God's present dealingswiththem,theyviewedHisdispensationnotinthelightofHisLove,butregarded them as signs of His displeasure or as proofs of Hisforgetfulness. Consequently, instead of cheerful submission, there wasdespondency and despair.Here is amost important lesson for us—wemust interpret the mysterious providences of God not byreasonorobservation,butbytheWord.Howoftenwe"forget"theexhortationwhichspeaksuntousasuntochildren,"Myson,despisenotthechasteningoftheLord,norfaintwhenyouarerebukedofhim."

Unhappily there isnoword in theEnglish languagewhich is capableofdoing justice to the Greek term here. "Paideia" which is rendered"chastening" is only another form of "paidion" which signifies "youngchildren,"beingthetenderwordthatwasemployedbytheSaviorinJohn21:5 and Hebrews 2:13. One can see at a glance the direct connectionwhichexistsbetweenthewords"disciple"and"discipline":equallyclosein the Greek is the relation between "children" and "chastening." Son-trainingwouldbebetter.IthasreferencetoGod'seducation,nurtureanddiscipline of His children. It is the Father's wise and loving disciplinewhichisinview.

It is true thatmuch chastisement is the rod in the hand of the Father,correcting His erring child. But it is a serious mistake to confine ourthoughts to thisoneaspectof thesubject.Chastisement isbynomeansalways the scourging of His refractive sons. Some of the saintliest ofGod'speople,someofthemostobedientofHischildren,havebeenandarethegreatestsufferers.Oftentimes,God'schasteningsinsteadofbeingretributive are corrective. They are sent to empty us of self-sufficiencyand self-righteousness: they are given to discover to us hiddentransgressions, and to teachus theplagueof ourownhearts.Or again,chastisementsaresenttostrengthenourfaith,toraiseustohigherlevelsof experience, to bring us into a condition of usefulness. Still again,Divinechastisementissentasapreventative,tokeepunderpride,tosaveus from being unduly elated over success in God's service. Let usconsider,briefly,fourentirelydifferentexamples.

DAVID. Inhis case the rodwas laid uponhim forgrievous sins, for

open wickedness. His fall was occasioned by self-confidence and self-righteousness. If the reader will diligently compare the two Songs ofDavid recorded in 2 Samuel 22 and 23, the one written near thebeginningofhislife,theotherneartheend,hewillbestruckbythegreatdifference of spirit manifested by the writer in each. Read 2 Samuel22:22-25andyouwillnotbesurprisedthatGodallowedhimtohavesucha fall. Then turn to chapter 23, and mark the blessed change. At thebeginning of verse 5 there is a heart-broken confession of failure. Inverses10-12thereisaGod-glorifyingconfession,attributingvictoryuntotheLord.TheseverescourgingofDavidwasnotinvain.

JOB.Probably he tasted of every kind of sufferingwhich falls toman'slot: family bereavements, loss of property, grievous bodily afflictionscame fast, one on top of another. But God's end in it all was that Jobshouldbenefittherefrom,andbeagreaterpartakerofHisholiness.Therewas not a little of self-satisfaction and self-righteousness in Job at thebeginning. But at the end, whenHe was brought face to face with thethrice Holy One, he "abhorred himself" (42:6). In David's case thechastisementwasretributive,inJob'scorrective.

ABRAHAM.Inhimweseeanillustrationofanentirelydifferentaspectofchastening. Most of the trials to which he was subjected were neitherbecauseofopensinsnorforthecorrectionofinwardfaults.Ratherwerethey sent for the development of spiritual graces. Abraham wassorely tried in various ways, but it was in order that faith might bestrengthened and that patience might have its perfect work in him.Abrahamwasweanedfromthethingsofthisworld,thathemightenjoycloserfellowshipwithJehovahandbecomethe"friend"ofGod.

PAUL. "And lest I should be exalted above measure through theabundanceoftherevelations,therewasgiventomeathornintheflesh,the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted abovemeasure (2Cor. 12:7).This "thorn"was sentnotbecauseof failureandsin, but as a preventative against pride. Note the "lest" both at thebeginning and end of the verse. The result of this "thorn"was that thebeloved apostle was made more conscious of his weakness. Thus,chastisementhas for oneof itsmainobjects thebreakingdownof self-sufficiency,thebringingustotheendofourselves.

Now in view of these widely different aspects chastenings which areretributive, corrective, educative, and preventative, howincompetent are we to diagnose, and how great is the folly ofpronouncingajudgmentconcerningothers!Letusnotconcludewhenweseea fellow-Christianunder the rodofGod thathe isnecessarilybeingtakentotaskforhissins.

We shall now consider the spirit in which Divine chastisementsaretobereceived."Myson,despisenotthechasteningof theLord,norfaintwhenyouarerebukedbyHim."(Hebrews12:5)

Not all chastisement is sanctified to the recipients of it. Some arehardened thereby;others are crushedbeneath it.Muchdependsonthespirit in which afflictions are received. There is no virtue in trials andtroubles in themselves; it is only as they are blessed by God that theChristianisprofitedthereby.AsHeb.12:11informsus,itisthosewhoare"exercised" under God's rod that bring forth "the peaceable fruit ofrighteousness."Asensitiveconscienceandatenderheartaretheneededadjuncts.InourtexttheChristianiswarnedagainsttwoentirelydifferentdangers: despise not, despair not. These are two extremes againstwhichitisevernecessarytokeepasharplook-out.JustaseverytruthofScripturehasitsbalancingcounterpart,sohaseveryevilitsopposite.Ontheonehandthereisahaughtyspiritwhichlaughsattherod,astubbornwillwhichrefusestobehumbledthereby.Ontheotherhand,there isafaintingwhichutterlysinksbeneathitandgiveswaytodespair.Spurgeonsaid,"Thewayofrighteousnessisadifficultpassbetweentwomountainsof error, and the great secret of the Christian's life is to wind his wayalongthenarrowvalley."

I.DespisingtheRod.ThereareanumberofwaysinwhichChristiansmay"despise"God'schastenings.Wementionfourofthem:

1.Bycallousness.Tobestoicalisthepolicyofcarnalwisdom—"makethebestofabadsituation."Themanoftheworldknowsnobetterplanthantogrithisteethandbravethingsout.HavingnoDivineComforter,CounselororPhysician,hehastofallbackonhisownpoorresources.Itis inexpressibly sad when we see a child of God conducting

himself as does a child of the Devil. For a Christian to defyadversities is to"despise"chastisement.Insteadofhardeninghimself toendurestoically,thereshouldbeameltingoftheheart.

2.By complaining. This is what theHebrews did in the wilderness;andtherearestillmanymumurersinIsrael'scamp.Alittlesickness—andwe become so cross that our friends are afraid to comenear us. A fewdays in bed—andwe fret and fume like a bullock unaccustomed to theyoke.Wepeevishlyask,Whythisaffliction?WhathaveIdonetodeserveit? We look around with envious eyes, and are discontented becauseothersarecarryinga lighter load.Beware,myreader! Itgoeshardwithmurmurers! God always chastises twice if we are not humbled by thefirst. Remind yourself of howmuch dross there yet is among the gold.View the corruptions of your own heart, andmarvel that God has notsmittenyoutwiceasseverely!"Myson,despisenotthechasteningoftheLord."

3. By criticisms. How often we question the usefulness ofchastisement. As Christianswe seem to have littlemore spiritual goodsensethanwehadnaturalwisdomaschildren.Asboyswethoughtthatthe rod was the least necessary thing in the home. It is so with thechildrenofGod.Whenthingsgoaswelikethem,whensomeunexpectedtemporalblessingisbestowed—wehavenodifficultyinascribingalltoakindProvidence.Butwhenourplansarethwarted,whenlossesareours—it is very different. Yet, is it notwritten, "I form the light and createdarkness. Imakepeaceandcreateevil. I theLorddoall these things"?(Isaiah 45:7) How often is the thing formed ready to complain, "Whyhave youmademe thus?"We say, "I cannot see how this can possiblyprofitmysoul.IfIhadbetterhealth—Icouldattendthehouseofprayermorefrequently!If Ihadbeensparedthose losses inbusiness—Iwouldhavemoremoney for theLord'swork!Whatgoodcanpossiblycomeofthiscalamity?"LikeJacob,weexclaim:"Allthesethingsareagainstme!"What is this but to "despise" the rod? Shall your ignorance challengeGod'swisdom?Shallyourshortsightednessarraignomniscience?

4.Bycarelessness.Somanyfailtomendtheirways.Theexhortationof our text is much needed by all of us. There are many who have"despised" the rod, and in consequence theyhavenot profited thereby.

Many a Christian has been corrected by God—but in vain! Sickness,reverses,bereavementshavecome,buttheyhavenotbeensanctifiedbyprayerfulself-examination.Ohbrethrenandsisters,takeheed!IfGodbechasteningyou—"consideryourways(Hag.1:5),"ponderthepathofyourfeet" (Proverbs 4:26). Be assured that there is some reason for thechastening. Many a Christian would not have been chastised half soseverely,hadhediligentlyinquiredthecauseofit.

II.FaintingunderGod'schastenings.Havingbeenwarnedagainst"despising" the rod,nowweareadmonishednot togiveway todespairunderit.ThereareatleastthreewaysinwhichtheChristianmay"faint"beneaththeLord'srebukes:

1.Whenhegivesupallexertion.Thisisdonewhenwesinkdownindespondency. The smitten one concludes that it is more than he canpossiblyendure.Hisheartfailshim;darknessswallowshimup;thesunof hope is eclipsed, and the voice of thanksgiving is silent. To "faint"meansrenderingourselvesunfitforthedischargeofourduties.Whenapersonfaints,heisrenderedmotionless.HowmanyChristiansarereadytocompletelygiveupthefightwhenadversityenterstheirlife.Howmanyare rendered quite inertwhen trouble comes theirway.Howmany, bytheirattitude, say,God'shand isheavyuponme: I candonothing.Ah,beloved,"sorrownot,evenasotherswhohavenohope"(1Thess.4:13)."Faint not when you are rebuked by Him." Go to the Lord about it:recognizeHishand in it.Remember,yourafflictionsareamongthe"allthings"whichworktogetherforgood.

2.Whenhequestionshis sonship.Therearenot a fewChristianswho,whentheroddescendsuponthem,concludethattheyarenotsonsofGodafterall.Theyforgetthatitiswritten"Manyaretheafflictionsoftherighteous(Psalm34:19),andthat"wemustthroughmuchtribulationenterthekingdomofGod"(Acts14:22).Onesays,"ButifIwereHischildIwouldnotbeinthispoverty,misery,pain."Listentoverse8:"Ifyouarenot disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you areillegitimate children and not true sons."Learn, then, to look upontrialsasproofsofGod's lovepurging,pruning,purifyingyou.Thefatherofafamilydoesnotconcernhimselfmuchaboutthoseontheoutsideofhishousehold:it ishischildren,whomheguardsandguides,

nurturesandconformstohiswill.SoitiswithGod.

3.Whenhedespairs.Someindulgethefancythattheywillnevergetoutoftheirtrouble.Onesays,"Ihaveprayedandprayed,butthecloudshavenot lifted!"Thencomfort yourselfwith this reflection: It is alwaysthedarkesthour,whichprecedesthedawn.Therefore, "faintnot"whenyouarerebukedbyHim.But,saysanother,"IhavepleadedHispromise,and thingsarenobetter. I thoughtHedelivered thosewhocalleduponHim;Ihavecalled,andHehasnotanswered,andIfearHeneverwill."What, child of God, speak of your Father thus! You say He will neverleaveoffsmitingbecauseHehassmittensolong.RathersayHehasnowsmittenso long—Imust soonbedelivered.Despisenot!Faintnot!MayDivinegracepreservebothwriterandreaderfromeithersinfulextreme.

God'sInheritance

"FortheLord'sportionisHispeople;JacobisthelotofHisinheritance."(Deuteronomy32:9)

Thisversebringsbeforeusamostblessedandwonderfullineoftruth,sowonderfulthatnohumanmindcouldpossiblyhaveinventedit.Itspeaksof the mighty God having an "inheritance," and it tells us that thisinheritanceisinHisownpeople!GodrefusedtotakethisworldforHisinheritance—it will yet be burnt up. Nor did heaven, populated withangels, satisfy His heart. In eternity past Jehovah said, by way ofanticipation,"Mydelightswerewiththesonsofmen"(Proverbs8:31).

This is by no means the only scripture which teaches that God'sinheritance is inHis saints. InPsalm 135:4we read, "For theLordhaschosenJacobuntoHimself,andIsraelforHispeculiartreasure."InMal.3:17theLordspeaksofHispeopleasHis"specialtreasure"(seemargin)—so "special" that the highest manifestations of His love are made tothem,therichestgiftsofHishandarebestowedonthem,themansionsonHigharepreparedandreservedforthem!

ThesamewondroustruthistaughtintheNewTestament.InEphesians1webeholdtheapostlePaulprayingthatGodwouldgiveuntoHispeoplethespiritofwisdomandrevelationintheknowledgeofHim:theeyesoftheirunderstandingbeingenlightenedthattheymightknow"thehopetowhichhehascalledyou,therichesofhisgloriousinheritance"(verse18).This is a truly amazing expression; not only do the saints obtain aninheritance in God, but He also secures an inheritance in them! Howoverwhelming the thought that the greatGod shoulddeemHimself thericherbecauseofourfaith,ourloveandworship!Surelythisisoneofthemostmarvelous truths revealed inHolyWrit—thatGod shouldpickuppoorsinnersandmakethemHis"inheritance!"Yetsoitis!

ButwhatneedhasGodofus?HowcanwepossiblyenrichHim?DoesHenothaveeverything-wisdom,power,graceandglory?Alltrue,yetthereissomething that He needs, yes, needs, namely, vessels. Just as the sunneeds the earth to shine upon, so God needs vessels to fill, vesselsthroughwhichHisglorymaybereflected,vesselsonwhichtherichesofHisgracemaybelavished.

Mark that God's people are not only called His "portion," His "specialtreasure,butalsoHis"inheritance."Thissuggeststhreethings.First,an"inheritanceisobtainedthroughdeath:soGod'sinheritanceissecuredtoHim through the death of His beloved Son. Second, an "inheritance"denotesperpetuity—"toamanandhisheirsforever"arethetermsoftenused.Third, an "inheritance" is forpossession, it is somethingwhichisenteredinto, livedupon,enjoyed.LetusnowconsiderfivethingsaboutGod'sinheritance:

1. God purposed to have such an inheritance. "Blessed is thenationwhoseGodistheLord;andthepeoplewhomhehaschosenforhisown inheritance" (Psalm33:12).The "nation"here is identicalwith theholynation," the "chosengeneration, royalpriesthood,peculiarpeople"of 1 Peter 2:9. This favored people was chosen by God to be Hisinheritance:itwasnotanafterthoughtwithHim,butdecreedbyHimineternity past. Before the foundation of the world God fixed His heartuponhavingthemforHimself.

2. God has purchased His people for an inheritance. In

Ephesians 1:14 we are told that the Holy Spirit is the "pledge of ourinheritanceuntil the redemptionof thepurchasedpossession, unto thepraiseofHisglory."SoagaininActs20:28wereadof"theChurchofGodwhich He has purchased with His own blood." God has not onlyredeemedHispeoplefrombondageanddeath—butforHimself.

3.Godcomesanddwells in themidstofHis inheritance. "Forthe Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake hisinheritance"(Psalm94:14)Thisisaclearproofthatthesescripturesarenot referring to the nation of Israel after the flesh. Just as Jehovahtabernacled inthemidstof theredeemedHebrews,soHenowindwellsHischurch,bothcollectivelyandindividually."Don'tyouknowthatyou(plural)arethetempleofGod,andthattheSpiritofGoddwellsinyou?"(ICor.3:16)."Don'tyouknowthatyourbody(singular)isthetempleoftheHolySpirit?"(ICor.6:19).

4.GodbeautifiesHisinheritance.Justasamanwhohasinheritedahouseoranestatetakespossessionofitandthenmakesimprovements,soGodisnowfittingHispeopleforHimself.HewhohasbegunagoodworkwithinHisown isnowperforming ituntil thedayofJesusChrist(Phil. 1:6). He is now conforming us to the image of His Son. EachChristian can say with the Psalmist, "the Lord will perfect that whichconcernsme"(Psalm138:8).NorwillGodbesatisfieduntilwehavebeenglorified.TheLordJesusChrist"shallchangeourvilebody,thatitmaybe fashioned like unto His glorious body!" (Phil. 3:21) "When he shallappear—weshallbelikeHim!"(IJohn3:2)

5.Andwhatofthefuture?Godwillyetpossess,liveupon,andenjoyHisinheritance.Intheunendingagesyettobe,Godwillmakeknownthe"richesofhisglory"onthevesselsofHismercy(Romans9:23).TheglorywhichGodshalleverliveupon—asuponaninheritance—shallriseoutofHis people.What amarvelous statement is that which is found at thecloseofEphesians2,where thesaintsare likenedunto abuilding "fitlyframedtogether(which)growsuntoaholytempleintheLord,"ofwhomit issaid, "inwhomyoualsoarebuilt together foranhabitationofGodthroughtheSpirit."

Wonderfulandglorious is thepicturepresentedbeforeus inRevelation

21:1-4:"ThenIsawanewheavenandanewearth,fortheoldheavenandtheoldearthhaddisappeared.Andtheseawasalsogone.AndIsawtheholycity,thenewJerusalem,comingdownfromGodoutofheavenlikeabeautifulbridepreparedforherhusband.Iheardaloudshoutfromthethrone,saying,"Look,thehomeofGodisnowamonghispeople!Hewilllivewiththem,andtheywillbehispeople.Godhimselfwillbewiththem.Hewill removeallof their sorrows,and therewillbenomoredeathorsorroworcryingorpain.Fortheoldworldanditsevilsaregoneforever."

What amarvelous statement is that inZephaniah3:17: "TheLordyourGodiswithyou,Heismightytosave.Hewill takegreatdelight inyou,Hewillquietyouwithhislove,Hewillrejoiceoveryouwithsinging."Thegreat God will yet say, "I am satisfied: here will I rest. This is Myinheritance that I will live upon forever, even the glory which I havebestowedonredeemedsinners."SurelywehavetosaywiththePsalmist," Such knowledge is toowonderful forme—too great forme to know!"(139:6).MayDivinegraceenableustowalkworthyofourhighcalling.

GodSecuringHisInheritance

"Hefoundhiminadesertlandandinthewastehowlingwilderness.Heledhimabout,Heinstructedhim,Hekepthimastheappleofhiseye."(Deuteronomy32:10)

In the previous verse we have the amazing statement that the Lord's"portion"isHispeople,andthattheremaybenomisunderstanding,thesame truth is expressed in another form: "Jacob is the lot of hisinheritance."HereinourtextwelearnsomethingofthepainswhichGodtakestosecureHisheritage.Therearefourthingstobenotedandfeastedupon.

1.JehovahFINDINGHispeople."Hefoundhiminadesertland."Itneeds hardly to be said that the word "found" necessarily implies a"search."Herethenwehavepresentedtoourviewtheamazingspectacleof a seeking God! Sin came in between the creature and the Creator,

causingalienationand separation.Notonly so,but, as the resultof theFall, every human being enters this world with amind that is "enmityagainst God." Consequently, there is none who seeks after God.Therefore,God,inHismarvelouscondescensionandgrace,becomestheSeeker.

Theword "found"not only implies a searchbut,whenwe consider thesinfulcharacterandunworthinessoftheobjectsofHissearch,italsotellsoftheloveoftheSeeker.ThegreatGodbecomestheSeekerbecauseHesetHisheartuponthosewhomHemarkedouttobetherecipientsofHissovereignfavors.GodhadsetHisheartuponAbraham,andthereforedidHeseekandfindhimamidtheheathenidolatersinUrofChaldea.GodsetHisheartuponJacob,andthereforedidHeseekoutandfindhimasafugitive from his brother's vengeance, when he lay asleep on the bareearth.SotooitwasbecauseHehadlovedMoseswithaneverlastinglovethattheLordsoughtoutandfoundhiminMidian,at"thebacksideofthedesert."Equally true is thiswitheveryrealChristian living intheworldtoday:"Iwas foundby thosewhodidnotseekme; I revealedmyself tothosewhodidnotaskforme"(Romans10:20).

Has God "found" you? To help you answer this question, ponder theremainderofthefirstclauseofourtext:"Hefoundhiminadesert land,andinthewastehowlingwilderness."Isthathowthisworldappearsuntoyou?Doyoufindeverythingunderthesunonly"vanityandvexationofspirit?"Areyoumadetogroandailyatwhatyouwitnessoneveryhand?Do you find that the world furnishes nothing to satisfy the heart, yesnothing to even minister to it? Is the world, really, a "waste howlingwilderness"toyou?

Letasecondtestbeapplied:whenGodtruly"finds"oneofHisownHereveals Himself. He imparts to the soul a realization of His sovereignmajesty, His awesome power, His ineffable holiness, His wondrousmercy.HasHethusmadeHimselfknownuntoyou?HasHegivenyou,inany measure, a vision of His Divine glory, His sovereign grace, Hiswondrouslove?HasHe?"Thisislifeeternal,thattheymightknowYou,theOnetrueGod,andJesusChrist,whomYouhavesent"(John17:3).

Hereisathirdtest:IfGodhasrevealedHimself,Hehasgivenyouasight

ofyourself,forinHislightwe"seelight."Amosthumbling,painful,andnever to be forgotten experience this is. When God was revealed toAbraham,hesaid,"Iambutdustandashes"(Gen.18:27).WhenHewasrevealedtoIsaiah,theprophetsaid,"WoeismeforIamundone,becauseIamamanofuncleanlips"(Isaiah6:5).WhenGodrevealedHimself toJob,hesaid,"Iabhormyself,andrepentindustandashes"(Job42:6)—note,notmerely I abhormywickedways,butmyvile self. Is this yourexperience, my reader? Have you discovered your depravity and lostcondition?Haveyoufoundthereisnotasinglegoodthinginyou?Haveyouseenyourselftobefitforanddeservingonlyofhell?Haveyou,truly?Thenthatisgoodevidence,yes,itisproofpositivethattheLordGodhas"found"you.

2.JehovahLEADINGHisPeople."Heledhimabout."The"finding"is not the end, but only the beginning ofGod's dealingswithHis own.Havingfoundhim,Heremainsnevermoretoleavehim.NowthatHehasfoundHiswanderingchildHe teacheshimtowalk in theNarrowWay.There is a beautiful word on God "leading" in Hosea 11:3: "I taughtEphraimalso to go, taking themby their arms." Just as a fondmothertakes her little one,whose feet are yet tooweak anduntrained towalkalone,sotheLordtakesHispeoplebytheirarmsandleadstheminthepathsofrighteousnessforHisname'ssake.SuchisHispromise:"HewillkeepthefeetofHissaints"(1Sam.2:9).Thereisathreefold"leading"oftheLord:

EVANGELICAL.TheLordJesusdeclared,"Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife:nomancomesuntotheFatherbutbyMe"(John14:6).ButagainHesaid, 'Noonecancometomeunless theFatherwhosentMedrawshim"(John6:44).HerethenishowGodleads:HeleadsthepoorsinnertoChrist.Haveyou,myreader,beenbroughttotheSavior?IsChristyouronlyhope?AreyoutrustinginthesufficiencyofHispreciousblood?Ifso,whatcausehaveyoutopraiseGodforhavingledyoutoHisblessedSon!

DOCTRINAL.TheLordJesusdeclared,"WhenHetheSpiritoftruthhascome, He will guide you into all the truth" John 16:13). We are notcapableofdiscoveringorentering into theTruthofourselves, thereforedowehavetobeguidedintoit."AsmanyasareledbytheSpiritofGod,theyare the sonsofGod." (Romans8:14). It isHewhomakesus to lie

down in the "green pastures of Scripture and who leads us beside the"stillwaters"ofHispromises.HowthankfulweoughttobeforeveryrayoflightwhichhasbeengrantedusfromthelampofGod'sWord.

PROVIDENTIAL. "Because of your great compassion you did notabandon them in thedesert.Byday thepillarof clouddidnot cease toguide themon theirpath,nor thepillarof firebynight to shineon thewaytheyweretotake"(Neh.9:19).JustasJehovahledIsraelofold,sotoday He leads us step by step through this wilderness-world.What amercythis is."ThestepsofagoodmanareorderedbytheLordandhedelights in his way" (Psalm 37:23). Yes, every detail of our lives isregulatedbytheMostHigh.

AllmytimesareinYourhand,AlleventsatYourcommand,Allmustcomeandlastandend,AsdoespleaseourHeavenlyFriend.

3.GodINSTRUCTINGHisPeople.

"Heinstructedhim."SoHedoesus.ItwastoinstructusthatGod,inHisgreatmercy,gaveustheScriptures.Hehasnotleftustogropeourwayindarkness,buthasprovideduswithalampuntoourfeetandalightuntoourpath.Norarewelefttoourownunaidedpowersinthestudyof theWord.We are suppliedwith an infallible Instructor. TheHoly Spirit isourteacher,"YouhaveananointingfromtheHolyOne,andyouknowallthings...theanointingyouhavereceivedofHimabidesinyou,andyouneednotthatanymanteachyou"(IJohn2:20,27).

Right views of God's truth are not an intellectual attainment, but ablessing bestowed upon us by God. It is written, "a man can receivenothing,exceptitbegivenhimfromheaven"(John3:27).Nomatterhowlegiblyalettermaybewritten,iftherecipientbeblindhecannotreadit.Soweare told, "thenaturalmanreceivesnot the thingsof theSpiritofGod: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know thembecause they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14). And spiritualdiscernmentisimpartedonlybytheHolySpirit.

"He instructed him."How patiently God bearswith our dullness! HowgraciouslyHerepeats"lineuponlineandpreceptuponprecept!"Yetslowas we are, He perseveres with us, for He has promised to perfect thatwhich concernsus (Psalm138:8).HasHe "instructed" you,my reader?HasHetaughtyouthetotaldepravityofmanandtheutterinabilityofthesinner to deliver himself?HasHe taught you the humbling truth "Youmustbebornagain,"andthatregenerationisthesoleworkofGod—manhaving no part or hand in it (John 1:13). Has He revealed to you theinfinite value and sufficiencyof the atoning sacrificeofChrist, thatHisbloodcleanses"fromall sin"?Thenwhatcauseyouhave tobe thankfulforsuchDivineinstruction.

4.GodPRESERVINGHisPeople. "Hekepthimas theappleofhiseye." A religion of conditions, contingencies, and uncertainties is notChristianity—its technical name is Arminianism, and Arminianism is adaughter of Rome. It is that God dishonoring, Scripture-repudiating,soul-destroying system of Popery—whose father is the Devil—whichpratesabouthumanmerit,creature-ability,andalotmoreblasphemousrubbish,andleavesitsblindeddupesinthefogsandbogsofuncertainty.Christianity deals with certainties which originated in the purpose andlove of an unchanging God, who when He begins a good work alwayscompletesit.

"FortheLordlovesjustice,andhewillneverabandonthegodly.Hewillkeepthemsafeforever"(Psalm37:28).Howblessedisthis!DidJehovah"forsake" Noah when he got drunk? No, indeed. Did He "forsake"Abraham when he lied to Abimelech? No, indeed. Did He "forsake"Moses for smiting the rock inanger?No, indeed,asHisappearanceontheMountofTransfigurationabundantlyproves.DidHe"forsake"Davidwhenhecommittedthosesinswhicheversincehavegivenoccasionforthe enemies of the Lord to blaspheme? No, indeed. He led him torepentance, causedhim to confess his awfulwickedness, and then sentoneofHisservantstosay,"TheLordhasputawayyoursin."

"TheLordhimselfwatchesoveryou!TheLordstandsbesideyouasyourprotectiveshade.Thesunwillnothurtyoubyday,northemoonatnight.TheLordkeepsyoufromallevilandpreservesyourlife.TheLordkeepswatchoveryouasyoucomeandgo,bothnowandforever."(Psalm121:5-

8).Hereare thecovenantveritiesofour faithfulGod:hereare the surepromisesofHimwhocannotlie.Notetherewereno"if's"orperhap's,buttheunconditionalandunqualifieddeclarationsoftheMostHighGod.NocircumstancescaneverplacethetruebelieverbeyondthereachofDivinepreservation.NochangecanalteroraffectthisDivinecertainty.Wealthmay ensnare, povertymay strip, Satanmay tempt, inward corruptionsmayannoy,butnothingcaneverdestroyor leadtothedestructionofasingle sheep of Christ; nay, all these things only serve to displaymoremanifestlyandmoregloriouslythepreservinghandofourGod.

We"arekeptbythepowerofGodthroughfaithuntosalvationreadytoberevealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5). The rage of heathenmonarchs,withtheirdenoflionsandfieryfurnace,maybeemployedtotrythefaithofGod'select;butdestroythem,harmthem,theycannot.OhbrethreninChrist, what cause we have to praise the finding, instructing, andpreserving,TriuneJehovah!

Mourning

"Blessedarethosewhomourn."(Matthew5:4)

Mourningishatefulandirksometopoorhumannature.Fromsufferingandsadness,ourspiritsinstinctivelyshrink.Bynatureweseekthesocietyof the cheerful and joyous. Our text presents an anomaly to theunregenerate,yetisitsweetmusictotheearsofGod'select.If"blessed"whydothey"mourn"?Ifthey"mourn"howcantheybe"blessed"?OnlythechildofGodhasthekeytothisparadox.Themoreweponderourtextthemoreweareconstrainedtoexclaim,"neveranymanspoke likethisMan!" "Blessed (happy) are those whomourn" is at complete variancewiththeworld'slogic.Menhaveinallplacesandinallages,deemedtheprosperous and the mirthful the happy ones, but Christ pronounceshappythosewhoarepoorinspiritandwhomourn.

Now it is obvious that it is not every species ofmourning that is herereferred to. There is a "sorrow of the world which works death." The

mourning towhichChrist promises comfort,must be restricted to thatwhich is spiritual. The mourning which is blessed is the result of arealizationofGod'sholinessandgoodness,whichissuesinasenseofourownwickedness—thedepravityofournatures,theenormityandguiltofourconductandthesorrowingoveroursinswithagodlysorrow.

The eight Beatitudes are arranged in four pairs; proof of this will befurnished as we proceed. The first of the series is the blessing whichChristpronouncedupon thosewhoarepoor in spirit,whichwe take tomean—those who have been awakened to a sense of their ownnothingness and emptiness. Now the transition from such poverty tomourningiseasytofollow,infact,itfollowssocloselythatitisratheritscompanion.

Themourningwhich ishere referred to ismanifestlymore than thatofbereavement, affliction or loss. It ismourning for sin. "It ismourningover the felt destitution of our spiritual state, and over the iniquitieswhich have separated between us and God; mourning over the verymorality inwhichwehaveboasted,and the self-righteousness inwhichwe have trusted; sorrow for rebellion against God, and hostility toHiswill;andsuchmourningalwaysgoessidebysidewithconsciouspovertyofspirit."

A striking illustration and exemplification of the spirit upon which theSaviorherepronouncedHisbenedictionistobefoundinLuke18.Therea vivid contrast is presented to our view. First, we are shown a self-righteousPhariseelookinguptowardGodandsaying,"God,IthankYouthatIamnotasothermenare—extortioners,unjust,adulterers,orevenasthispublican.Ifasttwiceintheweek;IgivetithesofallthatIpossess."Thismayhavebeenalltrueashelookedatit,yetthismanwentdowntohis house in a state of condemnation.His fine garmentswere rags, hiswhite robeswere filthy, thoughheknew itnot.Thenweare shown thepublican,standingafaroff,who, in the languageof thePsalmistwassotroubledbyhisiniquitiesthathewasnotabletolookup(Psalm40:12).HedarednotsomuchasliftuphiseyestoHeaven,butsmoteuponhisbosom,consciousofthefountainofcorruptionwithin,andcried,"Godbemerciful to me a sinner!" That man went down to his house justified,becausehewaspoorinspiritandmournedforsin.

Here thenare the first birth-marksof the childrenofGod, andhewhohasnever come tobepoor in spirit, andhasnever knownwhat it is toreally mourn for sin, though he belongs to a church and is an office-bearer in it, has neither entered nor seen the kingdom of God. HowthankfultheChristianreaderoughttobethatthegreatGodcondescendstodwellinthehumbleandcontriteheart!WherecanwefindanythinginalltheOldTestamentmorepreciousthanthat?—thatHe,inwhosesighttheheavensarenotclean,whocannotfindinanytemplethatmaneverbuilt for Him, howevermagnificent, a proper dwelling place, has said,"This is the one I esteem:hewho is humble and contrite in spirit, andtremblesatmyword.""Iliveinahighandholyplace,butalsowithhimwhoiscontriteandlowlyinspirit,torevivethespiritofthelowlyandtorevivetheheartofthecontrite.(Isaiah66:2;57:15)

"Blessedarethosewhomourn."Thoughtheprimaryreferenceistothatinitialmourning,usuallytermed'convictionofsin,''it isbynomeanstobe limited to this. Mourning is ever a characteristic of the normalChristianstate.There ismuch that thebelieverhas tomournover—theplagueofhisownheartmakeshimcry, "Ohwretchedmanthat Iam!";theunbeliefwhich"doessoeasilybesetus"andthesinswhichwecommitthataremoreinnumberthanthehairsofourhead,areacontinualgrief;thebarrenness andunprofitableness of our livesmakeus sigh and cry;ourpropensitytowanderfromChrist,ourlackofcommunionwithHim,theshallownessofourloveforHim,causeustohangourharpsuponthewillows.But this isnotall.Thehypocritical religionprevailingoneveryhand, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; theawfuldishonordonetothetruthofGodbythefalsedoctrinestaughtincountless pulpits; the divisions among the Lord's people, the strifebetween brethren, occasion continual sorrow of heart. The awfulwickedness in the world, men despising Christ, the untold sufferingsaround,makeusgroanwithinourselves.TheclosertheChristianlivestoGod, the more will he mourn over all that dishonors Him. With thePsalmisthewill say: "Indignationgripsmebecauseof thewicked,whohaveforsakenyourlaw."WithJeremiah,"Iwillweepinsecretbecauseofyourpride;myeyeswillweepbitterly,overflowingwithtears,becausetheLord'sflockwillbetakencaptive.""Nightanddaymyeyesoverflowwith

tears.Icannotstopweeping,formyvirgindaughter—mypreciouspeople—hasbeenrunthroughwithaswordand liesmortallywoundedon theground."WithEzekiel,"WalkthroughthestreetsofJerusalemandputamarkontheforeheadsofallthosewhoweepandsighbecauseofthesinstheyseearoundthem."

"They shall be comforted." This refers first of all to the removal of theconscious guiltwhich burdens the conscience. It finds its fulfillment intheSpirit'sapplicationoftheGospelofGod'sgracetotheonewhomHehasconvictedofhisdireneedofaSavior.Itissuesinasenseoffreeandfull forgiveness through themerits of the atoning blood of Christ. ThisDivinecomfortisthepeaceofGodwhichpassesallunderstandingfillingthe heart of the one who is now assured that he is "accepted in theBeloved."Godwoundsbeforehealing,abasesbeforeHeexalts.FirstthereisarevelationofHisjusticeandholiness,thenthemakingknownofHismercyandgrace.

"They shall be comforted" also receives a constant fulfillment in theexperience of the Christian. Though he mourns his excuseless failuresandconfessesthemtoGod,yetheiscomfortedbytheassurancethatthebloodofJesusChrist cleanseshim fromall sin.Thoughhegroansoverthe dishonor done to God on every side, yet is he comforted by theknowledge that the day is rapidly approaching when Satan shall beremoved from these scenesandwhen theLordJesus shall situpon thethrone of His glory and rule in righteousness and peace. Though thechastening hand of the Lord is often laid upon him and though "nochastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous,"nevertheless,heisconsoledbytherealizationthatthisisallworkingoutfor him "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Like theApostle, the believer who is in communion with his Lord can say, "Assorrowfulyetalwaysrejoicing."HemayoftenbecalledupontodrinkofthebitterwatersofMarah,butGodhasplantednearbyatreetosweetenthem.Yes"mourning"ChristiansarecomfortedevennowbytheDivineComforter, by theministrations ofHis servants, by encouragingwordsfromfellowChristians;andwhenthesearenottohand,bythepreciouspromisesoftheWordbeingbroughthomeinpowertohismemoryandheart.

"Theyshallbecomforted."Thebestwineisreservedforthelast.Sorrowmayendure foranight,but joycomes in themorning.During the longnightofHisabsence,thesaintsofGodhavebeencalledtofellowshipwithHimwhowastheManofSorrows.But,blessedbeGod,itiswritten,"IfwesufferwithHimweshallalsobeglorifiedtogether."Whatcomfortandjoywillbeourswhenshalldawnthemorningwithoutclouds!Thenshall"sorrow and sighing flee away" (Isaiah 35:10). Then shall be fulfilled,"Look,thehomeofGodisnowamonghispeople!Hewilllivewiththem,and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He willremovealloftheirsorrows,andtherewillbenomoredeathorsorroworcrying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever!"Revelation21:3-4.

Hungering

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for theyshallbefilled."(Matthew5:6)

In the first three Beatitudes we are called upon to witness the heartexercisesofonewhohasbeenawakenedbytheSpiritofGod.First,thereis a sense of need, a realization of my nothingness and emptiness.Second, there is a judging of self, a consciousness of my guilt andsorrowing overmy lost condition. Third, there is an end of seeking tojustifymyself beforeGod, an abandonment of all pretenses to personalmerit,atakingofmyplaceinthedustbeforeGod.Here,inthefourth,theeye of the soul is turned away from self to Another: there is a longingafter that which I know I have not got, and which I am conscious Iurgentlyneed.

Therehasbeenmuchneedlessquibblingas to theprecise importof theword "righteousness" in our present text. The best way to ascertain itssignificanceistogobacktotheOldTestamentscriptureswherethistermis used, and then turn on these the fuller light furnished by the New

TestamentEpistles.

"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower itdown.Lettheearthopenwide,letsalvationspringup,letrighteousnessgrowwith it;I, theLord,havecreatedit"(Isaiah45:8).Thefirsthalfofthis verse refers, in figurative language, to the advent of Christ to thisearth;thesecondhalftoHisresurrection,whenHewas"raisedagainforour justification." "Listen tome,youstubborn-hearted,youwhoare farfrom righteousness. I am bringingmy righteousness near, it is not faraway;andmysalvationwillnotbedelayed.IwillgrantsalvationtoZion,my splendor to Israel" (Isaiah46:12-14). "My righteousnessdrawsnearspeedily,mysalvationisontheway,andmyarmwillbringjusticetothenations." (Isaiah 51:5). "My salvation is close at hand and myrighteousnesswillsoonberevealed"(Isaiah56:1)."IwillgreatlyrejoiceintheLord,mysoulshallbejoyful inmyGod;forhehasclothedmewiththe garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe ofrighteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). These passages make it clear that God's"righteousness"issynonymouswithGod's"salvation."

TheabovescripturesareunfoldedintheEpistletotheRomanswherethe"Gospel"receivesitsfullestexposition.In1:16,17,wearetold"Iamnotashamedofthegospel,becauseitisthepowerofGodforthesalvationofeveryonewhobelieves:firstfortheJew,thenfortheGentile.For inthegospel a righteousness fromGod is revealed, a righteousness that is byfaith fromfirst to last." In3:22,24weread,"Even the righteousnessofGodwhich is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all those whobelieve,forthereisnodifference:Forallhavesinned,andcomeshortofthe glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace through theredemption that is in Christ Jesus." In 5:19 the blessed declaration ismade, "for as by one man's disobedience many were made (legallyconstituted) sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made(legallyconstituted)righteous."Whilein10:4welearn,"Christistheendofthelawforrighteousnesstoeveryonethatbelieves."

Thesinnerisdestituteofrighteousness, for"thereisnonerighteous,nonotone."GodhasthereforeprovidedinChristaperfectrighteousnessforeach and all ofHis people. This righteousness, this satisfying of all thedemandsofGod'sholylawagainstus,waswroughtoutbyourSubstitute

and Surety. This righteousness is now imputed—legally placed to theaccountofthebelievingsinner.JustasthesinsofGod'speoplewerealltransferred to Christ—soHis righteousness is placed upon them, see 2Cor. 5:21. Such is a brief summary of the teaching of Scripture on thisvitalandblessedsubjectof"Righteousness."

"Blessedarethosewhohungerandthirstafterrighteousness."Hungeringand thirsting express vehement desire, of which the soul is acutelyconscious. First, the Holy Spirit brings before the heart the holyrequirementsofGod.HerevealstousHisperfectstandard,whichHecannever lower.Heremindsusthat"unlessyourrighteousnessexceedstherighteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall never enter thekingdomofheaven."

Second,thetremblingsoul,consciousofitsownabjectpoverty,realizinghisutter inability tomeasureup toGod's requirements, seesnohelp inSELF.Thisisapainfuldiscovery,whichcauseshimtomournandgroan.Haveyoudoneso?

Third,theHolySpiritnowcreatesintheheartadeep"hungerandthirst,"which causes the convicted sinner to look for relief and seek a supplyoutside of himself. The eye is now directed to Christ, "The Lord ourRighteousness"(Jer.23:6).

Like the previous ones, this attitude begins before conversion, but isperpetuatedinthesavedsinner.Thereisarepeatedexerciseofthisgrace,feltatvaryingintervals.TheonewholongedtobesavedbyChrist,nowyearnstobemadelikeHim.Lookedatinitswidestaspect,thishungeringandthirstingreferstothatpantingoftherenewedheartafterGod(Psalm42:1), that yearning for a closer walk withHim, that longing formoreperfectconformitytotheimageofHisSon.Ittellsofthoseaspirationsofthenewnature forDivineblessingwhich alone can strengthen,sustainandsatisfy.

Our textpresents suchaparadox that it is evidentnocarnalmindeverinventedit.CanonewhohasbeenbroughtintovitalunionwithHimwhois the Bread of Life, and in whom all fullness dwells, be found stillhungeringandthirsting?Yes,suchistheexperienceoftherenewedheart.

Markcarefullythetenseoftheverb:itisnot"Blessedarethosewhohavehungered," but "Blessed are those whodohunger and thirst." Do you,dearreader?Orareyoucontentwithyourattainmentsandsatisfiedwithyour condition? Hungering and thirsting after righteousness has everbeentheexperienceofGod'ssaints:seePsalm82:4;Phil.3:8,14,etc.

"Theyshallbefilled."Likethefirstpartofourtext,thisalsohasadoublefulfillment—aninitialandacontinuous.WhenGodcreatesahungerandathirstinthesoulitisthatHemaysatisfythem.WhenthepoorsinnerismadetofeelhisneedofChrist, it isthathemaybedrawntoandledtoembraceHim.Like theprodigal,whocame to theFather as apenitent,thebelievingsinnernowfeedsontheOnefiguredbythe"fattenedcalf."Heismadetoexclaim"surelyintheLord,Ihaverighteousness."

"Theyshallbefilled."Notwithwinewhereinisexcess,but"filledwiththeSpirit.""Filled"with"thepeaceofGodwhichpassesallunderstanding.""Filled"withDivineblessing towhichnosorrow isadded. "Filled"withpraiseandthanksgivinguntoHimwhohaswroughtallourworks inus."Filled"withthatwhichthispoorworldcanneithergivenortakeaway."Filled"bythegoodnessandmercyofGod,untiltheircuprunsover.Andyet, all that is enjoyed now is but a little foretaste of what God haspreparedforthosewholoveHim.IntheDaytocomeweshallbe"filled"withDivineholiness, forweshallbe"likehim"(1John3:2).Thenshallwebedonewithsinforever;thenshallwe"hungernomore,neitherthirstanymore"(Rev.7:16).

HeartPurity

"Blessedarethepureinheart;fortheyshallseeGod."(Matthew5:8)

ThisisanotheroftheBeatitudeswhichhasbeengrosslypervertedbytheenemies of the Lord; enemies who have, like their predecessors thePharisees,posedasthechampionsofthetruthandboastedofasuperior

sanctity to that confessed by the true people of God. All through thisChristian era therehavebeenpoordeluded soulswhohave claimed anentirepurificationoftheoldman,orwhohaveinsistedthatGodhassocompletelyrenewedthemthatthecarnalnaturehasbeeneradicated,andin consequence that they not only commit no sins—but have no sinfuldesires or thoughts. But God tells us: "If we say we have no sin, wedeceiveourselves,andthetruthisnotinus"(1John1:18).OfcoursesuchpeopleappealtotheScripturesinsupportoftheirvaindelusion,applyingtoexperienceverseswhichdescribethe legalbenefitsoftheAtonement."The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" does notmeanthatourheartshavebeenwashedfromthecorruptingdefilementsofevil—butthatthesacrificeofChristhasavailedforthejudicialblottingout of sins. "Old things arepassed away; behold, all things are becomenew" (2 Cor. 5:17) refers not to our state in this world, but to theChristian'sstandingbeforeGod.

Thatpurityofheartdoesnotmeansinlessnessof life, is clear from theinspired record of the history of all of God's saints. Noah got drunk;Abrahamequivocated;MosesdisobeyedGod;Job cursed thedayofhisbirth;ElijahfledinterrorfromJezebel;PeterdeniedChrist.Yes,perhapssomeone will exclaim, 'But all these were before Christianity wasestablished.'True,butithasalsobeenthesamesincethen.Whereshallwego to findaChristianof superior attainment to thoseof the apostlePaul?Andwhatwashis experience?ReadRomans7 and see.Whenhewoulddogood,evilwaspresentwithhim(verse21); therewasa lawinhismemberswarringagainstthelawofhismind,andbringinghimintocaptivitytothelawofsin(verse23).Hedid,withthemind,servethelawofGod;nevertheless,with the fleshhe served the lawof sin (verse25).Ah, Christian reader, the truth is, that one of the most conclusiveevidences that we do possess a pure heart is the discovery andconsciousness of the impurity of the old heart dwelling side by sidewithin.Butletuscomeclosertoourtext.

"Blessedarethepureinheart."Inseekinganinterpretationtoanypartofthis Sermon on theMount the first thing to bear inmind is that thosewhomourLordwasaddressinghadbeenrearedinJudaism.Assaidonewho was deeply taught of the Spirit: "I cannot help thinking that our

Lord,inusingthetermsbeforeus,hadatacitreferencetothatcharacterofexternalsanctityorpuritywhichbelongedtotheJewishpeople,andto that privilege of fellowshipwithGodwhichwas connectedwith thatcharacter.Theywereapeopleseparated fromthenationspollutedwithidolatry; set apart asholy to Jehovah; and, as a holy people, theywerepermittedtodrawneartotheirGod,theonlylivingandtrueGod,intheordinancesofHisworship".Onthepossessionof thischaracter,andontheenjoymentofthisprivilege,theJewishpeopleplumedthemselves.

"Ahigher character,however, andahigherprivilege, belonged to thosewhowouldbethesubjectsoftheMessiah'sreign.Theywouldnotonlybeexternallyholy,but,'pureinheart';andtheywouldnotmerelybeallowedto approach towards theholyplace,whereGod'shonordwelt, but theyshould 'see God,' be introduced into themost intimate fellowshipwithHim. Thus viewed, as a description of the spiritual character andprivileges of the subjects of theMessiah, in contrast with the externalcharacterandprivilegesoftheJewishpeople,thepassagebeforeusisfullofthemostimportantandinterestingtruth."(JohnBrown).

"Blessed are the pure in heart."Opinion is divided as towhether thesewordsofChristaretobeunderstoodliterallyorfiguratively;whetherthereference be to the new heart itself received at regeneration, or to themoral transformation of characterwhich results from aDivinework ofgracebeingwrought in the soul.Probablybothaspectsof the truth arecombinedhere.InviewofthelateplacewhichthisBeatitudeoccupiesintheseries,itwouldappearthatthepurityofheartuponwhichourSaviorpronouncedHisblessing, isthat internalcleansingwhichaccompaniesandfollowsthenewbirth.Yet,inasmuchasnoheartpurityexistsinthenatural man, what is here affirmed by Christ must be traced back toregenerationitself.

ThePsalmistsaid, "BeholdYoudesire truth in the inwardparts; and inthehiddenpartYoushallmakemetoknowwisdom"(Psalm51:6).Howfar this goes beneath the external renovation and reformation whichcomprises such a large part of the efforts now being put forth inChristendom!Much that we see around us is a hand religion—seekingsalvation by works—or a head religion, which rests satisfied with anorthodox creed. But God looks on the heart—an expression which

appears to include the understanding, the affections and the will. It isbecauseGodlookswithinthatHegivesa"newheart"(Ezek.36:26)toHisownpeople,and"blessed"indeedaretheywhohavereceivedsuch,foritisa"pureheart."

Asintimatedabove,webelievethissixthBeatitudecontemplatesboththenewheart received at regeneration and the transformationof characterwhichfollowsGod'sworkofgraceinthesoul.First,thereisa"washingofregeneration" (Titus 3:5) by which we understand a cleansing of theaffections,whicharenowsetuponthingsabove,insteadofthingsbelow;this is parallel with "purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9).Accompanyingthisisthecleansingoftheconscience—"havingourheartssprinkled from an evil conscience" (Heb. 10:22), which refers to theremoval of the burden of conscious guilt, the inward realization thatbeingjustifiedbyfaithwe"havepeacewithGod."

ButthepurityofheartcommendedherebyChristgoesfurtherthanthis.Whatispurity?Freedomfromdefilement,undividedaffections,sincerityandgenuineness.AsaqualityofChristiancharacter,wewoulddefine itasgodly simplicity. It is theoppositeof subtletyandduplicity.GenuineChristianitylaysasidenotonlymalice—butguileandhypocrisy.Itisnotenoughtobepureinwordsandinoutwarddeportment;purityofdesires,motives, intents, arewhat should, anddo in themain, characterize thechild of God. Here then is a most important test for every professingChristian toapply tohimself:Aremyaffections setupon thingsabove?Aremymotivespure?WhydoIassemblewiththeLord'speople?—tobeseenofmen,ortomeetwiththeLordandenjoysweetcommunionwithHim?

"For they shall see God." Oncemorewewould point out how that thepromisesattached to theseBeatitudeshavebothapresentanda futurefulfillment.Thepureinheartpossessspiritualdiscernmentandwiththeeyes of their understanding they obtain clear views of the Divinecharacterandperceive theexcellencyofHisattributes.When theeye issinglethewholebodyisfulloflight.Inthetruth,they'seeGod';forwhatisthattruthbutamanifestationofthegloryofGodinthefaceofJesusChrist—anillustriousdisplayofthecombinedradianceofDivineholinessandDivinegoodness!

And he not only obtains clear and satisfactory views of the Divinecharacter, but he enjoys intimate and delightful communionwithGod.He isbroughtverynearGod;God'smindbecomeshismind;God'swillbecomeshiswill;andhisfellowshipistrulywiththeFatherandwithHisSonJesusChrist.

"Thosewhoarepure inheart 'seeGod' in thisway, even in thepresentworld; and in the future state their knowledge of God will become farmore extensive and their fellowship with Him far more intimate; forthough, when compared with the privileges of a former dispensation,even now 'as with open face we behold the glory of the Lord,' yet, inreferencetotheprivilegesofahighereconomy,weyetseebut'throughaglassdarkly'—we'knowbutinpart'—weunderstandbutinpart,weenjoybutinpart.But'thatwhichisinpartshallbedoneaway,'and'thatwhichisperfectshallcome.'Weshallyetseefacetofaceandknowevenasweareknown (1Cor. 13:9-12); or toborrow thewordsof thePsalmist,we'shall behold his face in righteousness, and shall be satisfied when weawakeinhislikeness'(Psalm17:15).Then,andnotuntilthen,willthefullmeaningofthesewordsbeunderstood—thepureinheartshallseeGod."(JohnBrown).

TheBeatitudesandChrist

OurmeditationsupontheBeatitudeswouldnotbecompleteunlesstheyturned our thoughts to the person of our blessed Lord. As we haveendeavored to show, they describe the character and conduct of aChristian;andasChristiancharacterisnothingmoreorlessthanbeingexperimentallyconformedtotheimageofChrist,wemustturntoHimfortheperfectpattern.IntheLordJesusChristwefindthebrightestmanifestations of the highest exemplifications of the differentspiritual graces which are found, dimly reflected, inHis followers. Notoneortwobutallof theseperfectionsweredisplayedbyHim,forHeisnotonly"lovely,"but"altogetherlovely."MaytheHolySpiritwhoisheretoglorifyHimtakenowofthethingsofChristandshowthemuntous.

First,"Blessedarethepoorinspirit."MostblessedisittoseehowtheScripturesspeakofHimwhowasrichbecomingpoorforoursakes,thatwethroughHispovertymightberich.GreatindeedwasthepovertyintowhichHeentered.Bornofparentswhowerepoorinthisworld'sgoods,He commencedHis earthly life in a stable.DuringHis youth andearlymanhood,He toiled at the carpenter's bench.AfterHis publicministryhad begun, He declared that though the foxes had their holes and thebirdsoftheairtheirnests,theSonofManhadnowheretolayHishead.Ifwe trace out theMessianic utterances recorded in thePsalms by theSpirit of prophecy, we shall find that again and againHe confessed toGodHispovertyofspirit:"Iampoorandsorrowful"(Psalm69:29);and,"Bowdownyourear,OhJehovah,forIampoorandneedy"(Psalm86:1);andagain, "For I ampoorandneedy,andMyheart iswoundedwithinme"(Psalm109:22).

"Blessedaretheythatmourn."ChristwasindeedthechiefMourner.OldTestament prophecy contemplated Him as "the Man of Sorrows andacquaintedwithgrief."SeeHim"grievedforthehardnessoftheirhearts"(Mark 3:5)BeholdHim "sighing" beforeHehealed the deaf and dumbman(Mark7:34).MarkHimweepingbythegravesideofLazarus.HearHislamentationoverthebelovedcity,"OJerusalem,Jerusalem...howoftenwouldIhavegatheredyourchildrentogether"(Matt.23:37).DrawnearandreverentlybeholdHiminthegloomofGethsemane,pouringoutHispetitionstotheFather"withstrongcryingandtears"(Heb.5:7).Bowinworshipfulwonderment as you hearHim crying from the cross, 'MyGod,MyGod,whyhaveYouforsakenMe!"HearkentoHisplaintiveplea,"Isitnothingtoyou,allyouwhopassby?Behold,andseeifthereisanysorrowlikeuntoMysorrow"(Lam.1:12).

Third,"Blessedarethemeek."AscoreofexamplesmightbedrawnfromtheGospelsillustratingthelovelylowlinessoftheincarnateLordofglory.MarkitinthemenselectedbyHimtobeHisambassadors:Hechosenotthe wise, the learned, the great, the noble—but poor fishermen for themostpart.Witnessit inthecompanywhichHekept:Hesoughtnottherichandrenowned,butwas"theFriendofpublicansandsinners."Seeitin the miracles which He wrought: again and again He enjoined thehealedtogoandtellnomanwhathadbeendoneforthem.Beholditin

theunobtrusivenessofHisservice:unlikethehypocriteswhosoundedatrumpetbefore them,Hesoughtnot thespotlight, shunnedadvertising,anddisdainedpopularity.WhenthecrowdswouldmakeHimtheiridol,He avoided them (Mark 1:45; 7:17).When theywould come and "TakeHimby force tomakeHim a king—he departed again into amountainhimselfalone"(John6:15).WhenHisbrethrenurged,"ShowYourselftothe world," He declined, and went up to the feast in secret (John 7) .WhenHe,infulfillmentofprophecy,presentedHimselftoIsrael,astheirKing,Heentered Jerusalem "lowly, and ridingupon andonkey" (Zech.9:9).

Fourth, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst afterrighteousness.''What a summary is this of the inner life of theManChrist Jesus! Before the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit announced,"RighteousnessandfaithfulnesswillbeabeltaroundHiswaist" (Isaiah11:5).WhenHeenteredthisworld,Hesaid,"Lo,IcometodoYourwill,OhGod"(Heb.10:17).AsaboyoftwelveHeasked,"Don'tyouknowthatImustbeaboutMyFather'sbusiness?"(Luke2:41).AtthebeginningofHis public ministry He declared, "Do not think that I have come todestroythelaw,ortheprophets:Ihavenotcometodestroy,buttofulfill"(Matt.5:17).ToHisdisciplesHedeclared, "My food is todo thewillofHimwhosentme(John4:34).OfHimtheHolySpirithassaid,"Youloverighteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, Your God, hasanointedYouwiththeoilofgladnessaboveYour fellows" (Psalm45:7).WellmayHebecalled"TheLordourrighteousness."

Fifth,"Blessedarethemerciful."InChristweseemercypersonified.ItwasmercytopoorlostsinnerswhichcausedtheSonofGodtoexchangethegloryofHeaven—fortheshameofearth.Itwasmercy,wondrousandmatchless,whichtookHimtotheCross,theretobemadeacurseforHispeople.Soit is"notbyworksofrighteousnesswhichwehavedone,butaccordingtoHismercyHesavedus"(Titus3:5).Hestillexercisesmercytousasour"mercifulandfaithfulHighPriest"(Heb.2:17).Soalsowearetobe "looking for themercyof ourLordJesusChristuntoeternal life"(Jude21),becauseHewillshowusmercyin"thatDay"(2Tim.1:18).

Sixth, "Blessed are the pure in heart." This too was perfectlyexemplified in Christ. He was the Lamb "without spot and without

blemish." InbecomingMan,Hewasuncontaminated, contractingnoneof thedefilement'sofsin.Hishumanitywas"holy"(Luke1:35).Hewas"holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26). "Inhimwas no sin" (1 John 3:5), thereforeHe "did no sin" (1 Peter 2:22) and"knewnosin" (2Cor.5:21). "He ispure" (1John3:3).BecauseHewasabsolutelypure innature,Hismotivesandactionswerealwayspure. "Iseek notMy own glory" (John8:50) sums up thewhole ofHis earthlycareer.

Seventh,"Blessedarethepeacemakers."Supremelytrue is thisofourblessedSavior.HeistheOnewho"madepeacethroughthebloodofhiscross"(Col.1:20).Hewasappointedtobe"anatoningsacrifice"(Romans3:25), that is, the One who should pacify God's wrath, satisfy everydemandofHisbroken law,glorifyHis justiceandholiness.So, too,hasHemadepeacebetweenthealienatedJewandGentile:seeEph.2:14-15.In a coming day He will yet make peace on this sin-cursed and war-strickenearth.WhenHe shall situpon the throneofHis father,David,thenshallbefulfilledthatword,"Oftheincreaseofhisgovernmentandpeace, there shall be no end" (Isaiah 9:7).WellmayHe be called "ThePrinceofPeace."

Eighth, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness'sake." None was ever persecuted, as was the Righteous One. What aword is that inRev.12:4, "Andthedragonstood in frontof thewomanwhowas about to give birth, so thatwhen she did give birth hemightdevourherchild!"BythespiritofprophecyHedeclared,"Iamafflictedand ready todie frommyyouthup" (Psalm88:15).OnHis first publicappearanceweare told they "Theygotup,droveHimoutof town, andbroughtHimtotheedgeofthehilltheirtownwasbuilton,intendingtohurlHimoverthecliff!"(Luke4:29).Inthetempleprecinctsthey"tookup stones to throw at him" (John 9:59). All through His ministry Hisstepsweredoggedby enemies. The religious leaders chargedHimwithhaving a demon (John 8:38). Those who sat in the gate spoke againstHim,andHewas thesongof thedrunkards (Psalm69:12).AtHis trialtheypluckedoffHishair(Isaiah50:6),spitinHisface,buffetedHim,andsmote Him (Matt. 26:67). After He was scourged by the soldiers andcrowned with thorns, carrying His own cross, He was led to Calvary,

where they crucifiedHim. Even inHis dying hours He was not left inpeace, but was persecuted by revilings and scoffings. How unutterablymildincomparison,isthepersecutionwearecalledontoendureforHissake!

In likemanner, each of thepromisesattached to the Beatitudes findtheiraccomplishmentinChrist.PoorinspiritHewas—butHissupremelyis the kingdom.MournHe did—yetHe is comforted asHe sees of thetravailofHissoul.Meeknesspersonified—yetshallHesitonathroneofglory.Hehungeredandthirstedafterrighteousness—yetnowisHefilledwithsatisfactionasHebeholdstherighteousnessHewroughtimputedtoHispeople.Pureinheart—HeseesGodasnoneotherdoes(Matt.11:27).As the Peacemaker—He is owned as the Son of God by all the blood-boughtchildren.AsthepersecutedOne—greatisHisreward,havingbeengiventheNameaboveallothers.MaytheSpiritofGodoccupyusmoreandmorewithHimwhoisaltogetherlovely.

AfflictionandGlory

"For our light affliction which is but for amoment, works for us a farmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory."(2Corinthians4:17)

Thesewordssupplyuswithareasonwhyweshouldnotfaintundertrials,norbeoverwhelmedbymisfortunes.Theyteachustolookatthetrialsoftime—in the lightof eternity.Theyaffirm that thepresentbuffetings oftheChristianexerciseabeneficenteffectontheinnerman.Ifthesetruthswerefirmlygraspedbyfaiththeywouldmitigatemuchofthebitternessofoursorrows.

"For our light affliction,which is but for amoment,works for us a farmore exceeding and eternal weight of glory." This verse sets forth astrikingandgloriousantithesis,as it contrastsour futurestateofglory,with our present of affliction. Here there is "affliction," there "glory."

Herethereisa"lightaffliction,"there"exceedingglory."Inourafflictionthereisbothlevityandbrevity—it isa lightaffliction,andit isbut foramoment.Inourfutureglorythereissolidityandeternity!Todiscoverthepreciousness of this contrast let us consider, separately, eachmember,butintheinverseorderofmention.

1."Afarmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory."

It is a significant thing that the Hebrew word for "glory" also means"weight."Whenweight isaddedto thevalueofgoldorprecious stones,this increasestheirworth.Heaven'shappinesscannotbetoldout inthewordsofearth;figurativeexpressionsarebestcalculatedtoconveysomeimperfect views to us.Here in our text one term is piled up on top ofanother.Thatwhichawaitsthebelieveris"glory,"andwhenwesaythatathingisgloriouswehavereachedthelimitsofhumanlanguagetoexpressthat which is excellent and perfect. But the "glory" awaiting us isweighted,yesitis"farmoreexceeding"weightythananythingterrestrialandtemporal;itsvaluedefiescomputation;itstranscendentexcellencyisbeyondverbaldescription.Moreover,thiswondrousgloryawaitingusisnot evanescent and temporal, but Divine and eternal; for "eternal" itcouldnotbeunlessitwereDivine.ThegreatandblessedGodisgoingtogiveusthatwhichisworthyofHimself,yesthatwhichislikeHimself—infiniteandeverlasting.

2."Ourlightaffliction,whichisbutforamoment."

(1)"Affliction"isthecommonlotofhumanexistence."Manisbornuntotroubleas thesparks flyupward" (Job5:7).This ispartof the resultofsin.Itisnotfitthatafallencreatureshouldbeperfectlyhappyinhissins.Nor are the children of God exempted; "Throughmuch tribulation wemustenterintothekingdomofGod"(Acts14:22).Byahardandruggedroad,doesGodleadustogloryandimmortality.

(2) Our affliction is "light." Afflictions are not light in themselves, forofttimes they are heavy and grievous; but they are light comparatively!Theyarelightwhencomparedwithwhatwereallydeserve.TheyarelightwhencomparedwiththesufferingsoftheLordJesus.Butperhapstheirreal lightness is best seen by comparing themwith theweight of glory

which is awaiting us.As said the same apostle in another place, "For Ireckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to becomparedwiththeglorywhichshallberevealedinus"(Romans8:18).

(3) "Which is but for a moment." Should our afflictions continuethroughout a whole lifetime, and that life be equal in duration toMethuselah's,yetisitmomentaryifcomparedwiththeeternitywhichisbeforeus.Atmostourafflictionisbutforthispresentlife,whichisasavaporthatappearsforalittlewhileandthenvanishesaway.OhthatGodwouldenableustoexamineourtrialsintheirtrueperspective.

3.Notenowtheconnectionbetweenthetwo.Ourlightaffliction,whichisbutforamoment,"worksforusafarmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory."Thepresentisinfluencingthefuture.Itisnotforustoreasonandphilosophizeaboutthis,buttotakeGodatHisWordandbelieveit.Experience, feelings,observationofothers—mayseemtodenythis fact.Ofttimesafflictionsappearonlytosourusandmakeusmorerebelliousanddiscontented.ButletitberememberedthatafflictionsarenotsentbyGod for the purpose of purifying the flesh: they are designed for thebenefitofthe"newman."Moreover,afflictionshelptoprepareusfortheglory hereafter. Affliction draws away our heart from the love of theworld; itmakes us longmore for the timewhenwe shall be translatedfromthissceneofsinandsorrow;itwillenableustoappreciate(bywayofcontrast)thethingswhichGodhadpreparedforthosewholoveHim.

Heretheniswhatfaithisinvitedtodo:toplaceinonescalethepresentaffliction,intheother,theeternalglory.Aretheyworthytobecompared?No,indeed.Onesecondofglorywillmorethancounterbalanceawhole lifetime of suffering!What are years of toil, of sickness, ofbattling against poverty, of persecution, yes, of amartyr's death—whenweighed over against the pleasures at God's right hand, which are forevermore!OnebreathofParadisewillextinguishalltheadversewindsofearth!OnedayintheFather'sHousewillmorethancounterbalancetheyearswehavespentinthisdrearywilderness.MayGodgrantuntousthatfaithwhichwillenableustoanticipativelylayholdofthefutureandliveinthepresentenjoymentofit.

Contentment

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to becontentwhateverthecircumstances."Philippians4:11

Discontent!Was there ever a timewhen therewas somuchdiscontentandrestlessness intheworldas there is today?Weverymuchdoubt it.Despite ourboastedprogress, the vast increase ofwealth, the time andmoneyexpendeddailyinpleasure—discontentiseverywhere!Noclassisexempt. Everything is in a state of flux, and almost everybody isdissatisfied.Many even among God's own people are affected with theevilspiritofthisage.

Contentment! Is such a thing realizable, or is it nothing more than abeautifulideal,ameredreamofthepoet?Isitattainableonearth,orisitrestrictedtothe inhabitantsofheaven?If feasiblehereandnow,mayitberetained,orareafewbriefmomentsorhoursofcontentmentthemostthatwemayexpect inthis life?Suchquestionsasthesefindanswer,ananswer at least, in thewords of the apostle Paul: "I amnot saying thisbecause I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever thecircumstances."

The force of the apostle's statement will be better appreciated if hiscondition and circumstances at the time hemade it, are kept inmind.When the apostle wrote the words, he was not luxuriating in a specialsuite in the Emperor's palace, nor was he being entertained in someexceptionalChristianhousehold,themembersofwhichweremarkedbyunusualpiety.Instead,hewas"inchains"(cf.Phil.1:13,14);"aprisoner"(Eph. 4:1), as he says in another Epistle. And yet, notwithstanding, hedeclaredhewascontent!

Now,thereisavastdifferencebetweenpreceptandpractice,betweentheidealandtherealization.ButinthecaseoftheapostlePaulcontentmentwasanactualexperience,andonethatmusthavebeencontinuous,forhesays, "in whatever state I am." How then did Paul enter into thisexperience,andofwhatdidtheexperienceconsist?Thereplytothefirstquestion is tobe found in theword, "Ihave learned . . . tobecontent."

Theapostledidnot say, "Ihave received thebaptismof theSpirit, andthereforecontentmentismine."Nordidheattributethisblessingtohisperfect"consecration."Equallyplain is it that itwasnottheoutcomeofnaturaldispositionortemperament.Itissomethinghehadlearnedintheschool of Christian experience. It should be noted, too, that thisstatementisfoundinanEpistlewhichtheapostlewrotenearthecloseofhisearthlycareer!

From what has been pointed out it should be apparent that thecontentment which Paul enjoyed was not the result of congenial andcomfortable surroundings. And this at once dissipates a vulgarconception.Mostpeople suppose that contentment is impossibleunlessonecanhavegratifiedthedesiresofthecarnalheart.Aprisonisthelastplacetowhichtheywouldgoiftheywereseekingacontentedman.Thismuch,then,isclear:contentmentcomesfromwithinnotwithout;itmustbesoughtfromGod,notincreaturecomforts.

But letusendeavortogoa littledeeper.What iscontentment?It is thebeingsatisfiedwiththesovereigndispensationsofGod'sprovidence.Itisthe opposite of murmuring, which is the spirit of rebellion—the claysaying to the Potter, "Why have You made me thus?" Instead ofcomplainingathislot,acontentedmanisthankfulthathisconditionandcircumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiringsomethingmorethanthesupplyofhispresentneed,herejoicesthatGodstill cares forhim.Suchanone is "content"with suchashehas. "Keepyour lives free from the love ofmoney and be contentwithwhat youhave,becauseGodhassaid,"NeverwillI leaveyou;neverwillI forsakeyou."(Heb.13:5).

One of the fatal hindrances to contentment is covetousness,which is acanker eating into and destroying present satisfaction. It was not,therefore, without good reason, that our Lord gave the solemncommandmenttoHisfollowers—Takeheed,andbewareofcovetousness"(Luke12:15).Fewthingsaremoreinsidious.Oftenitposesunderthefairnameofthrift,orthewisesafeguardingof thefuture—presenteconomyso as to lay up for a "rainy day." The Scripture says, "covetousness isidolatry" (Col. 3:5)—the affections of the heart being set uponmaterialthingsratherthanuponGod.Thelanguageofacovetousheartisthatof

the horseleech's daughter, "Give! Give!" The covetous man is alwaysdesirousofmore,whetherhehaslittleormuch.Howvastlydifferentthewordsof theapostle—"Ifwehave foodandclothing,wewillbe contentwith these" (1Tim.6:8).Amuchneededword is thatofLuke3:14:"Becontentwithyourwages!"

"Godliness with contentment is great gain" (I Tim. 6:6). Negatively, itdelivers from worry and fretfulness, from avarice and selfishness.Positively, it leaves us free to enjoy what God has given us. What acontrast is found in thewordwhich follows, "But thosewhowant toberich fall into temptation, a trap, andmany foolishandharmfuldesires,whichplungepeopleintoruinanddestruction.Fortheloveofmoneyisarootofallkindsofevil,andbycravingit,somehavewanderedawayfromthefaithandpiercedthemselveswithmanypains."(ITim.6:9,10).MaytheLordinHisgracedeliverusfromthespiritofthisworld,andmakeustobe"contentwithsuchthingsaswehave."

Contentment,then,istheproductofaheartrestinginGod.Itisthesoul'senjoymentofthatpeacewhichpassesallunderstanding.Itistheoutcomeof my will being brought into subjection to the Divine will. It is theblessedassurancethatGoddoesallthingswell,andis,evennow,makingallthingsworktogetherformyultimategood.Thisexperiencehastobe"learned"by"provingwhatisthatgood,andacceptable,andperfect,willof God" (Romans 12:2). Contentment is possible only as wecultivate and maintain that attitude of accepting everythingwhichentersourlives,ascomingfromthehandofHimwhoistoowise to err, and too loving to causeoneofHis childrenaneedlesstear.

Let our final word be this: real contentment is only possible by beingmuch in the presence of the Lord Jesus. This comes out clearly in theverseswhichfollowouropeningtext;"Iknowbothhowtohavea little,andIknowhowtohavealot.InanyandallcircumstancesIhavelearnedthe secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether inabundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him whostrengthensme" (Phil. 4:12, 13). It is only by cultivating intimacywiththatOnewhowasneverdiscontent, thatweshallbedelivered fromthesin of complaining. It is only by daily fellowship with Him who ever

delighted in the Father's will, that we shall learn the secret ofcontentment.MaybothwriterandreadersobeholdinthemirroroftheWord, the glory of the Lord Jesus, that we shall be "changed into thesameimagefromglorytoglory,evenasbytheSpiritoftheLord"(2Cor.3:18).

PreciousDeath

"Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints." (Psalm116:15)

This is one of the many comforting and blessed statements in HolyScripture concerning that great event from which the flesh so muchshrinks.IftheLord'speoplewouldmorefrequentlymakeaprayerfulandbelieving study ofwhat theWord saysupon their departure out of thisworld,deathwouldlosemuch,ifnotall,ofitsterrorsforthem.Butalas,insteadofdoingso—theylettheirimaginationrunriot,theygivewaytocarnal fears, theywalkbysight insteadofby faith.Looking to theHolySpirit for guidance, let us endeavor to dispel, by the light of Divinerevelation,someofthegloomwhichunbeliefcastsaroundeventhedeathofaChristian.

"PreciousinthesightoftheLord,isthedeathofhissaints."ThesewordsintimatethatadyingsaintisanobjectofspecialnoticeuntotheLord,formarkthewords"inthesightof."It is truethattheeyesof theLordareeveruponus,forHeneverslumbersnorsleeps.Itistruethatwemaysayatall times "YouGodseeme."But itappears fromScripture that thereareoccasionswhenHenoticesandcaresforusinaspecialmanner."Godisourrefugeandstrength,anever-presenthelpintrouble"(Psalm46:1)."Donotbeafraid, for Ihaveransomedyou. Ihavecalledyoubyname;youaremine.Whenyougothroughdeepwatersandgreattrouble,Iwillbewithyou.Whenyougothroughriversofdifficulty,youwillnotdrown!Whenyouwalkthroughthefireofoppression,youwillnotbeburnedup;

theflameswillnotconsumeyou.ForIamtheLord,yourGod,theHolyOneofIsrael,yourSavior."(Isaiah43:1-3)

"PreciousinthesightoftheLord,isthedeathofhissaints."Thisbringsbefore us an aspect of deathwhich is rarely considered by believers. ItgivesuswhatmaybetermedtheGodwardsideofthesubject.Onlytoooften,wecontemplatedeath, likemostother things, fromour side.Thetext tells us that from the viewpoint of Heaven the death of a saint isneither hideous nor horrible, tragic or terrible—but "precious." Thisraisesthequestion,WhyisthedeathofHispeoplepreciousinthesightoftheLord?WhatisthereinthelastgreatcrisiswhichissodearuntoHim?Withoutattemptinganexhaustivereply,letussuggestoneortwopossibleanswers:

1. Their persons are precious to the Lord. They ever were andalwayswillbedeartoHim.Hissaints!TheyweretheonesonwhomHislovewassetbeforetheearthwasformedortheheavensmade.Thesearethey for whose sakesHe leftHisHome on high andwhomHe boughtwithHispreciousblood,cheerfullylayingdownHislifeforthem.Theseare theywhose names are borne on our greatHighPriest's bosomandengravedon thepalms ofHis hands. They areHis Father's love-gift toHim, His children, members of His body; therefore, everything thatconcerns them is precious in His sight. The Lord loves His people sointenselythattheveryhairsoftheirheadsarenumbered:theangelsaresentforthtoministeruntothem;andbecausetheirpersonsarepreciousuntotheLord,soalsoaretheirdeaths.

2.Becausedeathterminatesthesaint'ssorrowsandsufferings.There isaneeds-be forour sufferings, for throughmuch tribulationwemustenterintothekingdomofGod(Acts14:22).Nevertheless,theLorddoesnot"afflictwillingly"(Lamentations3:33).Godisneitherunmindfulofnorindifferenttoourtrialsandtroubles.ConcerningHispeopleofolditiswritten,"Inalltheiraffliction—hewasafflicted"(Isaiah63:9)."Likeas a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him"(Psalm103:13).SoalsoarewetoldthatourgreatHighPriestis"touchedwith the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb. 4:15). Here, then, may beanother reasonwhy the death of a saint is precious in the sight of theLord—becauseitmarkstheterminationofhissorrowsandsufferings.

3.BecausedeathaffordstheLordanopportunitytodisplayHissufficiency.Loveisneversohappyaswhenministeringtotheneedsofitscherishedobject,andneveristheChristiansoneedyandsohelplessas in thehour of death.Butman's extremity isGod's opportunity. It isthenthattheFathersaystoHistremblingchild,"Fearnot;forIamwithyou:benotdismayed,forIamyourGod:Iwillstrengthenyou;yes,Iwillhelpyou;yes,Iwillupholdyouwiththerighthandofmyrighteousness"(Isaiah41:10).Itisbecauseofthisthatthebelievermayconfidentlyreply,"Yes,thoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil:forYouarewithme;YourrodandYourstafftheycomfortme."Our very weakness appeals to His strength, our emergency to Hissufficiency.Mostblessedlyisthisprincipleillustratedinthewell-knownwords "Heshallgather the lambs (thehelplessones)withhis arm,andcarrytheminhisbosom"(Isaiah40:11).Yes,Hisstrengthismadeperfectin ourweakness. Therefore is the death of the saints "precious" in Hissight, because it affords theLordablessedoccasion forHis love, graceandpowertoministeruntoandundertakeforHishelplesspeople.

4.Becauseatdeath thesaintgoesdirect to theLord.TheLorddelightsinhavingHispeoplewithHimself.Blessedlywasthisevidencedall throughHis earthlyministry.WhereverHewent, theLord tookHisdisciplesalongwithHim.WhetheritwastothemarriageatCana,totheholy feasts in Jerusalem, to the house of Jairus when his daughter laydead, or to theMount of Transfiguration, they ever accompaniedHim.Howblessed is thatword inMark3:14, "Heordained twelve, thattheyshould be with him." And He is "the same yesterday and today andforever." Therefore hasHe assured us, "If I go and prepare a place foryou, I will come again, and receive you untoMyself, that where I am,there you may be also" (John 14:3). Precious then is the death of thesaintsinHissight,becauseabsentfromthebodyweare"presentwiththeLord"(2Cor.5:8).

Whilewearesorrowingover theremovalofa saint—Christ isrejoicing.Hisprayerwas"Father,Iwillthattheyalso,whomYouhavegivenme,bewithmewhereIam;thattheymaybeholdmyglory"(John17:24),andinthe entrance into Heaven of each one of His own people, He sees ananswer to thatprayer and is glad.Hebeholds in eachone that is freed

from"thisbodyofdeath"anotherportionoftherewardforHistravailofsoul, and He is satisfied with it. Therefore the death of His saints isprecioustotheLord,foritoccasionsHimgroundforrejoicing.

It is most interesting and instructive to trace out the fullness of theHebrewwordhere translated "precious." it is also rendered "excellent.""HowexcellentisYourlovingkindness,OhGod!"(Psalm36:7)."Amanofunderstanding is of an excellent spirit" (Proverbs 17:27). Howeverworthilyorunworthilyhemaylive,thedeathofasaintisexcellentinthesightoftheLord.

ThesameHebrewword isalsorendered"honorable.""Kings'daughterswereamongyourhonorablewomen" (Psalm45:9).SoAhasuerus askedofHaman,"Whatshallbedoneuntothemanwhomthekingdelightstohonor?" (Esther 6:6). Yes, the exchange of heaven for earth is trulyhonorable,and"Thishonorhaveallhissaints.PraisetheLord."

This Hebrew word is also rendered "brightness." "If I beheld the sunwhenitshined,orthemoonwalkinginbrightness"(Job31:26).Darkandgloomy though death may be unto those whom the Christian leavesbehind,itisbrightness"inthesightoftheLord,""ateveningtimeitshallbe light" (Zech. 14:7). Precious, excellent, honorable, brightness in thesightoftheLordisthedeathofHissaints.MaytheLordmakethislittlemeditationpreciousuntoHissaints.

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