Psalm 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. I. THE LORD'S INTERCESSION, IN REFERENCE TO MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE. The great object of missionary enterprise is the subject of our Saviour's intercession. The object is the diffusion of the knowledge of Christianity throughout the world; that by means of the knowledge of Christianity, accompanied by the influence of the Divine Spirit, mankind of all nations may be converted to the faith and obedience of Christ, and be made wise, and happy, and good through Him. It is but natural to suppose that what was the leading design of our Lord in becoming incarnate, and suffering, and dying should be a subject of His intercessory prayers. Missionary enterprise, in the grand means by which these objects are to be effected, is one of the principal subjects of our Lord's intercessions. Secondary means are varied; the primary means is the Divine influence. In proportion to the degree in which this is communicated, missionary enterprise is prosperous; in proportion to the degree in which it is withheld, it languishes. And the communication of Divine influence was a leading object of our Lord's atonement, and must be a leading subject of His intercession. II. THE DIGNITY AND IMPORTANCE OF MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE. It is a clear proof of the estimation in which our Lord holds missionary enterprise, that it is the subject of constant intercession with His Father. In endeavouring to promote missionary enterprise we are doing something that is very pleasing to our Lord and Saviour. We may be sure that we shall have all the assistance that is necessary in order to perform our duty in reference to this undertaking. And the fact of our Lord's intercession gives us the most abundant assurance that this undertaking will ultimately be completely successful. (John Brown, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. |
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