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SATISFACTION IN GOD ALONE
WE are told, on most unquestionable authority, that “godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come [Note: 1Ti_4:8.].” We are further assured, that “its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace [Note: Pro_3:17.].” This was the conviction of Moses, when he penned this psalm. The vanity and bitterness of sin had been deeply felt by all that generation whom he had brought out of Egypt: and here, he declared that there was no happiness but in God: he prays, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” Now, Brethren, longing as I do for the happiness of you all, both here and in the eternal world, I will shew,
I. Where, and where alone, true satisfaction can be found—
The whole world are inquiring, “Who will shew us any good?” And to that there is but one answer to be given; namely this: “Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us [Note: Psa_4:6.]!”
Satisfaction is not to be found in any earthly pursuit—
[Pleasure, how diversified soever it may be, can never satisfy a rational being. Solomon drank more deeply of that cup than any other man; and, after all, pronounced it to be “vanity and vexation of spirit.” The same may be said of wealth and honour: they can never fill the desires and capacities of an immortal soul. As the eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing, so no man that attains the greatest eminence can be sure that he has reached the highest pinnacle of his ambition. Let him possess all that mortal man can possess, and there will be some Naboth, whose vineyard he covets; or some Mordecai, who wounds him by refusing to pay him the homage he demands — — —]
Nor is it to be found in any religious services which are performed with a self-righteous view—
[Doubtless a self-righteous man may be gratified for a season with the notion that he has established a ground of confidence before God: but at times there will arise in his mind such thoughts as these: “Have I done enough to secure for me the forgiveness of my sins, and to purchase moreover the blessedness of heaven?” And, after all his labour, he will feel some secret misgivings that all is not right. He has not a standard whereby to measure his attainments, except indeed the holy Law of God: and that altogether condemns him. In this state of uncertainty he cannot contemplate death and judgment without a degree of alarm, which casts a gloom over his prospect of the eternal world, and to a certain degree embitters also his enjoyments in this present world.]
That which alone can afford solid satisfaction to the soul, is, the having obtained “mercy” of the Lord—
[Every man is conscious that he has sinned, and must give an account of himself to the Judge of quick and dead. But, if he have fled for refuge to Christ, and embraced the salvation offered him in the Gospel, he is ready to go into the presence of his God. He knows “in whom he has believed [Note: 2Ti_1:12.];” and has no doubt but that through the Redeemer’s righteousness he shall find acceptance with God. He will be able to say, “I know that when the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved, I have an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens [Note: 2Co_5:1.].” In Christ he sees all that he can need: and, being “in Christ,” he is assured that “there is no condemnation to him [Note: Rom_8:1.]” either now or at the bar of judgment. “Believing in Christ, he has peace with God,” and rejoices before him “with joy unspeakable and glorified [Note: 1Pe_1:8.].”]
This point being ascertained, let us direct our attention to,
II. The blessedness of those who seek it there—
Mercy, once obtained from the Lord, is the richest balm of life—
1. It constitutes the chief felicity in youth—
[Who is there that has sought the Lord in early life, and did not experience the benefit of that blessed employment beyond his most sanguine expectations? Nay, I will ask, Who ever spent one hour in penitential exercises, and in crying to the Lord for mercy, and did not find more satisfaction in that hour than in all the pleasures he ever enjoyed? Who does not look back to such a period, as the happiest hour of his life? I will gladly concede to every man the liberty of passing judgment on himself; and will venture to abide the verdict which every man shall give. Into whatever state of carnal pleasures such an one may have turned aside, I can have no doubt but that, in seasons of reflection, he says, “Oh that it were with me as in times past!” — — —]
2. It renders us happy amidst all the most afflictive circumstances of life—
[Every man is, sooner or later, brought into trouble: for “man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” But a sense of God’s pardoning love upon his soul will more than counterbalance all his afflictions. “Being justified by faith, and having peace with God, he will glory in tribulations,” of whatever kind they be [Note: Rom_5:1; Rom_5:3.]. He will see his trials to be a rod in his Father’s hand [Note: Mic_6:9.]; and he will acquiesce in the dispensation, from the hope that “all things shall work together for his good [Note: Rom_8:28.],” and shall ultimately “work out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [Note: 2Co_4:17.].” — — —]
3. It administers consolation to him, even on the bed of death—
[How blessed were the reflections of St. Paul when in the daily expectation of a cruel death! “I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day [Note: 2Ti_4:7-8.].” Such was Jacob’s consolation in his dying hour: “I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord [Note: Gen_49:18.].” Yes, Brethren, a sense of God’s pardoning mercy upon the soul will take away the sting of death, and make us rather to “desire that we may depart and be with Christ [Note: Php_1:23.],” in the full fruition of his glory. — — —]
Address—
1. The young—
[It is never too “early” to seek, and to obtain, “mercy” from God. We read of several who from their very infancy were sanctified unto the Lord: and why should not you be numbered amongst that highly-privileged class? You have an idea that the good things of this world, and the enjoyment of all pleasurable amusements, will make you happy. But if you will transfer this notion to spiritual things, and seek your happiness in them, I pledge myself that ye shall be satisfied to the full: for of all the ransomed of the Lord it is said, “They shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd; and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness; and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord [Note: Jer_31:12-14.].” Indeed, you have a promise peculiar to yourselves: for God has said, “They that seek me early, shall find me [Note: Pro_8:17.].”]
2. The busy—
[I would not have any one neglect his proper occupation in life. We are as much bound to be “diligent in business,” as we are to be “fervent in spirit:” in the one, as well as in the other, we may “serve the Lord [Note: Rom_12:11.].” But, in comparison, our zeal in the service of God should swallow up that which we exercise in reference to the world. Our Lord says, “Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life [Note: Joh_6:27.].” I will suppose that you succeed to the utmost extent of your wishes in this world, what satisfaction will it afford you in the eternal world, if you have not secured “an inheritance amongst the saints in light?” There is no occupation whatever that can justify a neglect of your eternal interests. There may be other things desirable; but this a needful, yea, “the one thing needful;” and therefore I say, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” and leave it to God to “add other things to you” in the measure which in his unerring wisdom he shall see fit [Note: Mat_6:33.].]
3. Those advanced in life—
[Our text has a peculiar force as it relates to you. Much of your time is gone: and what is done either by you or for you, must be done quickly. There is, indeed, no time to be lost. The work of the soul is not to be left to a dying hour. Verily, that is but an unfavourable season for such a work; and the reality of it, when commenced at that season, is always dubious. Be in earnest now. Delay not another hour. Cry mightily to God, “O satisfy me early with thy mercy!” “Blot out my transgressions as a morning cloud:” wash them away in my Redeemer’s blood. “Bring me out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock, and establish my goings; and put a new song into my mouth, even praise unto my God [Note: Psa_40:2-3.].” “Then will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name: my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate upon thee in the night-watches [Note: Psa_63:4.].” “Yea, when my flesh and my heart fail, thou shalt be the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”]