REFLECTIONS
READERS let us pause over this chapter to remark what a vast difference we behold in David, from what the former chapter represents him! Is this David, who so enjoyed the gracious manifestations of the Lord, and found his whole heart going forth in praise, and prayer, and faith, and love! And now through distrust numbering his men, as if he had no longer confidence in the Lord, and was looking to an arm of flesh! But, Reader! what is man, even the best of men, if but for a moment left to himself?
Precious Jesus! cause me to learn, from this renewed instance before my eyes, what a poor creature is man in his highest attainments, and how needful thy blood and righteousness are, through the whole and every part of our pilgrimage, to cleanse the conscience and to justify the soul. Reader, learn from it your daily need of Jesus! See whether you are thus corning to Christ daily, hourly, to gather pardon, grace, and strength for every emergency. Depend upon it, if you have lost a sense of that powerful impression, which you felt when you first came to Jesus a poor, needy, helpless sinner, it is not because you have less need of him, but because you have relaxed in your attention to your own wants, and the Redeemer's fulness to supply. Oh, Sir! see that you make him what he really is, and must be, to his people, when rightly used and improved, as well the Finisher, as the Author of our faith; the End as well as the Beginning. Many set out upon a full conviction of their need of Jesus, but after awhile are turning in to somewhat of their own by way of confidence. Pray God, that you and I may not so learn Christ. But may the Lord give us grace to make him the whole of our hopes, for there is salvation in no other. As you have received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk you in him. Let every grace be acted upon him, and everything will then tend to show our increasing need of him, until we arrive to this blessed issue, to know him, to be made of God to us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption, that he that glorieth may glory in the Lord.