Isaiah 64:7 And there is none that calls on your name, that stirs up himself to take hold of you: for you have hid your face from us… This chapter may be considered as an act of humiliation and confession by the prophet, in behalf of the Jews, similar to that in the ninth chapter of Daniel. In the text he aggravates their other crimes by that of hypocrisy, for he does not mean by the expression that none called upon or prayed to God at all, but that they did not do it spiritually, heartily, fervently. The last clause in the sentence explains (as is common in the prophetic writings) the former. "None calleth upon Thy name;" that is, "None stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee." I. PRAYER, PROPERLY SO CALLED, CONSISTS IN CERTAIN EXERCISES OF THE MIND. 1. Attention to our wants. Without this, prayer is vain babbling. Our wants arise from our sinful conduct — our unholy nature — powerful opposition — daily circumstances in our experience. Our state ought to be as diligently attended to as the most assiduous tradesman attends to his business — as the humane physician attends to the symptoms of disease in his patient. 2. Regard to God as the Being who alone can relieve us. 3. Strong and fervent desire. 4. Affiance in God. 5. Humble and patient expectation. II. HOWEVER FREQUENTLY OR FORCIBLY WE PRAY, IF OUR PRAYERS ARE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM THESE EXERCISES, WE SHALL BE REGARDED BY GOD AS THOUGH WE NEVER PRAYED AT ALL — THAT IS, WE SHALL DERIVE NO BENEFIT FROM OUR SERVICES. 1. This will appear from the ancient Jews, who drew near to God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him. 2. That prayer must be distinguished .hi right dispositions of the mind, is evident from the very design of prayer Consider its parts — Adoration; thanksgiving; confession: Intercession. The whole of this duty is designed to promote piety, by working certain holy dispositions in our hearts, by the help and blessing of God. Will not these remarks account for the barrenness of mere professors? Christians, stir up the gift of God that is within you. (J. Walker, . D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. |
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