January 24

View them in the Son of thy love; and for His sake forgive the evil and accept the good—

Is what it was, dependence upon Thee."

The prayer shows his affection. All must acknowledge the importance of loving God. But what is the best evidence of it? "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." And the Christian delights in his law. It is enough for him to know what He forbids, or what He enjoins. This, says he, will please Him; therefore I will pursue it. This will offend Him; therefore I will forbear. David was anxious that not a word nor a thought should displease his God.

The prayer shows a consciousness of duty. We are all under an indispensable obligation to please God, both on the ground of gratitude and justice. Who called us into being? Who has fed us all our life long? Who sought us when lost, and ransomed us from death and hell? We are not our own. For we are bought with a price. He is our father, our master, our king. And without a concern to please Him, can we be good children, good servants, good subjects? There may be a time when an obligation to please an earthly superior may cease to be binding upon us. He may require of us what is unreasonable and unrighteous. But God's perfect will demands nothing but what is wise, and holy, and just, and good.

The prayer shows a regard to self-interest. David was not mercenary; but he knew he could not serve God for nought. In serving God we more effectually serve our own welfare: and as God himself has placed the advantage before us in the Scripture not only as a truth, but as a motive, it cannot be improper to regard it. Many will entreat the favour of the prince, and every one is a friend to him that giveth gifts. But if we were sure of gaining his approbation—than which nothing is more uncertain—yet what is it when obtained? But if we study to please God, success is not only sure, but glorious. The friendship of the mightiest monarch can do very little for us; our greatest exigencies lie far beyond the reach of human aid. But God can supply all our need. He is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we are able to ask or think.

It would be endless to specify all the benefits attached to pleasing God. Is preservation from sin a blessing? "Whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her." There is nothing too vile for us to fall into if we provoke our Defender to withdraw from us. Is safety and concord a blessing? "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Is the answer to prayer a blessing? "And whatsoever we ask we receive of Him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." Is a removal to heaven desirable? "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." He went indeed in a chariot of fire; but an apoplexy, an accident, a dropsy, a fever, will not be amiss, that takes us from a vale of tears into the joy of our Lord.