That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.
On the deceitfulness of the heart, in disregarding providential dispensations in general
I. Show what is implied in a diligent observation of providential dispensations.
1. A close investigation of the various steps of Providence towards us.
2. Attention to the temper of our hearts, to the dictates of conscience, and to the motions of the Holy Spirit, which concur with these dispensations.
3. An accurate trial of the meaning of all dispensations by the infallible standard of revelation.
4. An earnest desire of perceiving God’s design as of a loving nature.
5. A faithful recording of these dispensations.
II. Illustrate some of the deceits practised by the heart, in order to prevent a diligent observation of providential dispensations.
1. It entices us to indifference about practical religion.
2. It represents them as uncertain.
3. It represents many events as trifling and unworthy of attention.
4. It opposes this exercise, as if it unavoidably tended to enthusiasm.
5. It is represented as a great bondage to ourselves.
6. The heart may perhaps plead that this course is neglected by many who are as good Christians as we.
III. Advert to the designs of the deceitful heart in dissuading us from observing Divine dispensations.
1. It wishes to deprive God of the glory resulting from this exercise.
2. By this inexcusable negligence the delusive heart designs to deprive believers of much real comfort. There are two channels in which the Lord communicates consolation to His people. These are His Word and Providence. But we lose much of our comfort if we keep these separate.
(1) Diligent observation would eminently open up the mystery of Providence.
(2) It tends to increase a holy fear of God.
(3) It is an illustrious means of discovering Divine love.
(4) It tends greatly to strengthen faith.
(5) It is a great inducement to live closely with God.
(6) This practice must throw great light on the evil of sin, by discovering providential frowns and chastisements for those parts of our conduct that might otherwise appear trivial.
IV. Suggest some motives for encouraging Christians to this exercise.
1. The command of God (Deuteronomy 4:9).
2. God has pledged His faithfulness for the success of this work.
3. The example of the saints.
4. The consideration of God’s constant and tender remembrance of you may encourage you to this exercise.
5. The recollection of former mercies will afford you an argument with God for renewed instances of His love.
V. Concluding cautions.
1. Beware of making Providence the rule of your conduct. This would be to put it in the place of the world, which is not merely the principal, but the only rule.
2. Judge not of providential dispensations by their outward aspect.
3. In all your observation of Divine providence, still remember that the ways of God are unsearchable. His judgments are a great deep.
4. Beware of forming a rash judgment with respect to God’s designs. “He that believeth h shall not make haste.”
5. Be especially on your guard against harsh and uncharitable judgment. (J. Jamieson, M. A.)
Memory, hope and effort
My text tells us how past, present and future--memory, hope and effort,--may be ennobled and blessed. In brief, it is by associating them all with God. It is as the field of His working that our past is best remembered. It is on Him that our hopes may most wisely be set. It is keeping His commandments which is the consecration of the present.
I. Associate God with memory by thankful remembrance. We can see His presence more clearly when we look back over a long connected stretch of days, and when the excitement of feeling the agony or rapture have passed, than we could whilst they were hot, and life was all hurry and bustle.
II. Live in the future by hope in Him. Hope owes to Memory the pigments with which it paints, the canvas on which it paints, and the objects which it portrays there. But in all our earthly hopes there is a feeling of uncertainty which brings alarm as well as expectation. And he whose forward vision runs only along the low levels of earth, and is fed only by experience and remembrance, will never be able to say, “I hope with certitude and I know that my hope shall be fulfilled.” But they whose hopes are set on God have a certain hope, a sufficient one, and one that fills all the future.
III. Live in the present by strenuous obedience. After all, memory and hope are meant to fit us for work in the flying moment. Both should impel us to this keeping of the commandments of God; for both yield motives which should incline us thereto. A past full of blessing demands the sacrifice of loving hearts and of earnest hands. A future so fair, so far, so certain, so sovereign; and a hope that grasps it, and brings some of its sweet fragrance into the else scentless air of the poor present, ought to impel to service, vigorous and continual. Both should yield motives; both should impel to such service. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)