Homilist Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace to his people, and to his saints… I. As To DOCTRINAL TRUTH. It would be very dangerous if we had no rule to go by. In things of importance it is — 1. Plain and decided. There is no obscurity as to man's sin or the way of salvation, or the reward of the good, and the loss of the evil. 2. Always accessible. The book of the law of the testimony is in our midst. II. AS TO MY MOVEMENTS IN LIFE. How much depends upon one wrong step as it regards our comfort, reputation, or usefulness! Even if sin is pardoned, its consequences cannot be remedied. Marriage, business, the choice of a home, have frequently produced dire results. A Christian should, therefore, at every step try to hear what the Lord shall speak. Integrity and uprightness are the principles He requires, and these must form the groundwork of every action. III. AS TO THE DISPENSATIONS OF HIS PROVIDENCE. 1. Every visitation has its mission. There is a purpose in every pain and an object in every trial. Let us, then, not only hear, but learn. Many are often in such a state of ignorance, despondency, and doubt, that they cannot understand what object or purpose God may have in view; but while the natural man is concerned to escape from trouble, the Christian is only anxious to have the trouble sanctified and improved. 2. We pray to God. Do we want to hear what He has to say in reply? Most of our petitions are never thought of as soon as they are delivered. We knock at the door, but never stay to see it opened. Can we expect that God will attend to those prayers which we ourselves contemn? (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. |
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