Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all your works. I shall endeavour to recommend the duties of devotion, by considering their influence on the virtue and the happiness of human life. I. THEY ARE ADMIRABLY CALCULATED TO PROMOTE YOUR IMPROVEMENT IN VIRTUE. The duties of devotion, leading to the contemplation of infinite excellence, and improving the best affections of the heart, plant in our breasts the seeds of virtue. The exercises in which these duties engage us are favourable also to its growth; for we come into the presence of God, not merely to adore the perfection of His nature, and to celebrate the goodness to which we owe all our bliss — we come to lay open before Him the secrets of our souls — to bewail the transgressions by which we have offended Him — and to form our resolutions of future obedience. These exercises lead to a serious review, and produce a knowledge of our own characters extremely favourable to improvement. II. THE INFLUENCE OF DEVOTION ON THE HAPPINESS OF LIFE. 1. Devotion is, itself, a source of the sublimest enjoyment. The human mind delights in exercise; and the duties of piety are the noblest exercise in which its powers can be employed. 2. Devotion exalts and purifies every earthly pleasure. It adds to the enjoyment of our present comforts the delightful emotion of gratitude to our Maker. 3. But adversity is the scene in which devotion triumphs; for, however in our prosperity we may forget our Maker, affliction reminds us of our dependence on Him. (W. Moodie, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. |
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