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THE LOVING-KINDNESS OF GOD
THE more we know of man, the more shall we see the folly of trusting in an arm of flesh: but, the more we are acquainted with God, the more enlarged will be our expectations from him, and the more unreserved our confidence in his power and grace. David had found by bitter experience, that no dependence could be placed on the protestations of Saul. But he had a friend, in whose protection he could trust; and in the contemplation of whose character he could find the richest consolation, while his views of man filled him with nothing but grief and anguish. Having expatiated upon his perfections, as contrasted with the deceitfulness and depravity of man, he bursts forth into a rapturous admiration of his love.
His words furnish us with an occasion to consider the loving-kindness of God, in the precise view in which it is exhibited in our text,
I. As a subject for adoring gratitude—
[Wherever we turn our eyes, we behold the most astonishing displays of God’s love. Every work of creation, every dispensation of providence, every effort of Grace, exhibits him to us in the most endearing view. But most of all must we admire the wonders of redemption. This is the work whereby God commends his love to us [Note: Rom_5:8.]. This is the one subject of adoration to all the saints in glory [Note: Rev_5:11-14.]. No sooner was it declared in the incarnation of Christ, than multitudes of the heavenly host began a new song, singing “Glory to God in the highest [Note: Luk_2:13-14.].” Yea, from that moment have they been occupied in exploring its mysteries [Note: 1Pe_1:12.]. But so unsearchable are its heights and depths, that no finite understanding can fuily comprehend, nor will eternity suffice to unfold, all the wonders contained in it [Note: Eph_3:18-19.]. “How excellent then is thy loving-kindness, O God!”]
II. As a ground for implicit confidence—
[This is not a speculative subject, but is influential in the hearts of all that give it a due measure of their attention. It is this which encourages sinners to approach their God with confidence. In the view of this, no guilt appals, no strait depresses, no grief dejects. Whatever we want of pardon, peace, or strength, one thought suffices to support the soul; “he who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things [Note: Rom_8:32.]!” This is the genuine and legitimate use which we are to make of the loving-kindness of God [Note: Psa_9:10.]. We are to go to him as to a Father, confessing our faults [Note: Luk_15:18-19.]; to follow him as our Guide in all our ways [Note: Heb_11:8.]; and to commit ourselves to him without fear, knowing that he will either extricate us from all trouble [Note: Dan_3:17.], or overrule it for our good [Note: Php_1:19-20. 1Pe_4:19.].]
III. As a pledge of all imaginable blessings at his hands—
[There is nothing which can conduce to our happiness either in time or eternity, which we are not warranted to expect at God’s hands, provided we contemplate, and be suitably impressed with, the excellencies of his love.
The priests of old feasted their families with the offerings which belonged to them by virtue of their office [Note: Num_18:11.]. Now to our great High-Priest belong all the glory and blessedness of heaven: and every member of his family is privileged to partake with him. In his house he spreads his feast [Note: Isa_25:6.], and says to his dear children, Come, out and drink abundantly, O beloved [Note: Son_5:1.], and let your souls delight themselves with fatness [Note: Isa_55:2.]. And who can declare what “abundant satisfaction” their souls feel while feeding on the promises of his word, and the communications of his love; or how enviable is the state of those who are thus highly privileged [Note: Psa_65:4.]? Surely if we taste this promised blessing [Note: Jer_31:14.], we may well desire rather to be door-keepers in his house, than to enjoy the splendour of an earthly court [Note: Psa_84:10.].
But there are still sweeter fruits of God’s love to be enjoyed in heaven. There flows a river, which gladdens that holy city, the new Jerusalem [Note: Psa_46:4.], and fills with unspeakable delight every inhabitant of those blissful mansions. There is a fulness of joy, emanating from the fountain of the Deity, and filling with God’s own blessedness every soul according to its capacity [Note: Rev_22:1 and Psa_16:11.]. Of this shall every one be “made to drink;” and, drinking of it, shall thirst no more for ever [Note: Psa_17:15.].]
Application—
[Let the love of God in Christ Jesus be our meditation all the day — — — Let it lead us to trust in him both for body and soul — — — And let a sense of it shed abroad in our hearts, be the one object of our desire [Note: Psa_27:4.] and delight [Note: Php_3:8.] — — —]