Psalm 45:16 Instead of your fathers shall be your children, whom you may make princes in all the earth. Our text begins with "Instead." It is a sad word; it means we must lose some if others are to come in their stead. Would it not be pleasanter to keep the old workers? What a grand Old Guard the veterans would make. But no, they must go, and others must come instead. We are apt to think them very slow in coming, and too frequent is the fear that they who come will be but very poor substitutes for those who are gone. As Rehoboam for Solomon, etc. But the word "instead" has a note of gladness in it also. It means, that if we fall there is another to fill up the gap. And sometimes the change is for the better. As Samuel instead of Eli. Courage, our sons may be superior to ourselves. There is room for it, and let us hope they will be. Note in the text — I. ITS GRACIOUS RECOMPENSE. Compare the psalm from which it is taken. The bride was commanded to forget her own people and her father's house. But her loss shall be made up to her. And the law of our text holds good in reference to the separations caused by death in the midst of the Church. If good men are taken, the like will be given, perhaps better. II. ITS EMINENT FULFILMENT. All along, there have been changes, but in God's garden, as in ours, plants of this year have been succeeded by those of the next. III. ITS HAPPY ENCOURAGEMENT. It says, "shall be." "Lean on the Divine "shall." Do not give way to distrust about the future, for Jesus lives and walks among the golden candlesticks, trimming all the lamps, and shining through them. We are not taking a leap into the dark; we are not "shooting Niagara"; we are marching into light. IV. ITS PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS. 1. If we stand instead of our fathers, what manner of persons ought we to be? See what noble men have been before us. Look back to your spiritual ancestry, your fathers after the spirit, your predecessors in the faith of the Lord Jesus. But shall we be craven sons of heroic sires? 2. If others are to come instead of us what are we doing for them? The Church ought to look to the tuition, the training and the culture of her children. It is said that Alexander gathered together his valiant army principally through training children from their very birth to the pursuits of war. These born soldiers grew up knowing of nothing, and caring for nothing but for Alexander, Macedon, and battle. Thus would we, by God's grace, train our sons to live alone for Christ, His truth, and the souls whom He hath redeemed. Now, looking to my young friends, I would ask of them, Are you prepared to take your father's place? Let none of you suppose that because you come of pious parents you will be saved. I stand amongst you like an officer in the midst of his troop, and as one and another falls, I bid you close up your ranks. May the text be true for us. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.WEB: Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth. |
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