Deuteronomy 9:4-5 Speak not you in your heart, after that the LORD your God has cast them out from before you, saying… One would think this too obvious to be disputed in the mind of an Israelite. Then I ask if any man or woman, taking a calm retrospect of his or her life, has not to say the same? I. Let us inquire TO WHAT SUBJECTS THIS PRINCIPLE MAY BE APPLIED. 1. To our lot in life, and to our temporal affairs. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." He may do what He will with His own. In the independence and infinite sovereignty of His government He sends small means and penury, or He dispenses riches and honours, according to His own good pleasure, and to accomplish the inscrutable purposes of His heavenly providence. 2. To our religious condition and privileges. 3. To success in the ministry. 4. To the rest and glory of the heavenly world. Eternal life is the gift of God. II. WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR WHICH WE SHALL POSSESS THE LAND? 1. The choice and will, the purpose and pleasure of the Almighty. 2. God's justice on the one hand, and His goodness on the other. 3. The faithfulness of God to His promises. III. WHAT IS THE USE OF THIS DOCTRINE? 1. It is taught us that we may understand it. Acknowledge your own poverty and God's riches. Submit to His method and plan of justification and acceptance by Christ. Do not go about to establish your own righteousness. 2. I cannot conclude without one caution. A farthing is a farthing, and a sixpence is a sixpence; so of an ingot of gold or a banknote. And a farthing will only purchase what it is worth. A sixpence will not buy what is worth a hundred pounds. But let it buy what it will. If you want an estate you must give the ingots and the banknotes. So let the work of Christ alone, the costly and prodigious sum, secure for you the glory and the heritage of heaven. But let your own righteousness and your small virtues do what they will. You cannot purchase glory with them, but they will do much for the welfare of men and the honour of God, and they will show forth your gratitude and love. (James Stratten.) Parallel Verses KJV: Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. |
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