This verse comes in very properly after the former, to point out the leading principles in those who are the happy partakers of the unspeakable mercy of God in Christ; and this forms one of the Lord's marks and characters, whereby his people are known: I will make (saith the Lord) an everlasting covenant with them, that I WILL NOT turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that THEY SHALL NOT depart, from me. Jeremiah 32:40
REFLECTIONS
BEHOLD, my soul, how Jesus, going before thee in all the paths of duty, as well as fulfilling all righteousness, calls up thy love, thy praise, thy thankfulness, in his lovely example. And did Jesus, in his zeal for his Father's glory, thus delight to do his will, and to praise the Father for redemption; and shall not all thy affections be exerted to the same? Wilt thou not sing Hallelujah, and praise the Lord in the assembly of the upright?
Oh! holy Father! holy indeed and reverend is thy name. Thy covenant faithfulness, and love, and truth, to a thousand generations, may well call forth the song of every redeemed heart; for it is thou that hast sent redemption unto thy people, and sent it in the person of thy dear and ever-blessed Son; thereby making redemption infinitely more precious, and endearing it to our hearts by a thousand ties of affection, love, and duty.
Oh! Lord! give to me that holy fear, and put it in my heart, that I may never depart from thee; and cause me to take pleasure in the contemplation of all thy works. May it be my morning delight, my noon day rejoicing, and my evening song, to search out thy gracious dealings towards the children of men. And chiefly; Lord! let my thoughts be all engaged in contemplating the person, work, offices, character, and relation of Jesus. Here, blessed Jesus! may my whole soul centre as the bee upon the sweetest flower; for my meditation of thee shall be sweet.