DISCOURSE: 676
THE CHRISTIAN’S DESIRE
Psalms 106:4-5. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; that I may see the good of thy chosen; that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation; that I may glory with thine inheritance.!
THE Psalms, though in many parts historical, doctrinal, and preceptive, may yet be considered as differing materially from the rest of the inspired volume, inasmuch as, while other books of Scripture inculcate religion, these exemplify its operations on the heart.
The words before us express the fervent desires of David’s heart; and give occasion for observing, that,
I. The lot of God’s people is truly desirable—
God “bears a peculiar favour” towards them—
[He esteems them as “his chosen,” “his people,” “his inheritance [Note: 1 Peter 2:9.];” and shews the same tender regard towards them as he did towards Israel of old; guiding, protecting, and even bearing them as on eagles’ wings [Note: Deuteronomy 32:9-13.Isaiah 63:9.]. Hence that congratulation given them by Moses, a congratulation applicable to them in every age and place [Note: Deuteronomy 33:29.]
He gives them to enjoy the truest “good”—
[The enemies of God often possess the greatest share of this world’s goods [Note: Psalms 17:14; Psalms 73:7.]: but hit own people have that which is really good [Note: Isaiah 55:2.], and which shall endure when all sublunary things are come to an end [Note: Proverbs 8:18.]. He “visits them with salvation,” which comprehends every solid good, whether for soul or body, whether for time or eternity.]
He fills them with “gladness” and holy “glorying”—
[They are not indeed always joyful, because they have much, both within and without, which may well occasionally produce sorrow [Note: 1 Peter 1:6.]: but they have seasons of joy, and sometimes are enabled to rejoice with joy unspeakable [Note: 1 Peter 1:8.]. Even in the midst of tribulations they can often glory [Note: Romans 5:3.], and shew to all around them, that they have supports and consolations which the world can neither give nor take away [Note: Psalms 94:19.]. But what gladness and glorying will they have, when all grounds of sorrow shall be finally removed [Note: Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 60:19-20.]!]
Surely such a state is the most excellent on earth: and therefore,
II.
To desire a participation of it, is a laudable ambition—
The fervent petitions in the text were, doubtless, acceptable to God—
[Every man naturally desires his own happiness: nor is this species of self-love ever wrong, except when it leads us to seek the end by improper means. When “salvation” is the object of our wishes, we cannot covet it too earnestly: God himself has taught us to pray for it, and to urge our petitions with an importunity that will take no denial [Note: Luke 18:1.Psalms 81:10; Isaiah 45:11.]. And the answers which he gave to David [Note: Psalms 34:6; Psalms 138:3.] and others in the days of old, sufficiently evince, that he is a prayer-hearing God [Note: Psalms 65:2.], and that “he delighteth in the prayer of the upright [Note: Proverbs 15:8.].”]
Nor can we please God more than by pleading with him after David’s example—
[There is nothing so great, but we may freely ask it at the hands of God. Nor is there any thing so peculiar to the saints, but we may ask it as sinners, and be certain of obtaining it, provided we ask in humility and faith. Salvation especially, with all its attendant joys and blessings, he is ready to give unto all that call upon him. Let us then beg of him to impart it to us. And let us particularly bear in mind, that we must first be “visited with his salvation,” before we can “see the good of his chosen, and glory with his inheritance.” It is through the knowledge of Him, as our Saviour and Redeemer, that we are to be made partakers of all other blessings. In vain do we hope to have fellowship with his people in their felicity, unless we first have fellowship with him in his salvation [Note: 1 John 1:3.]
Address—
1.
To those who are grasping after this world—
[All persons are apt to think that this world can make them happy: but David and Solomon, who enjoyed all that the world could give them, found all to be vanity and vexation of spirit. Let not us then follow the beaten track, but rather aspire after a good that never cloys, an inheritance that never fades [Note: 1 Peter 1:4.]
2. To those who are sincerely, though faintly, pursuing the path assigned them—
[We need not fear a disappointment on account of any unworthiness in ourselves. Let us beg of God to “remember us,” and he will remember us. Let us seek “his favour” in Christ Jesus, and he will be ever ready to grant it. Only let us prosecute this end steadily, and without wavering: so shall we attain the object of our desires, and glory with God’s inheritance” for ever and over.]