June 19

I drew them. - Hosea 11:4.

THE form of divine goodness here declared is attraction; and we may observe that the attraction is to God, as well as by him. This is implied in the very word itself, “I drew them.” In pushing and driving we urge anything from us; but in drawing, we bring it towards us. And this is the aim of God in all his dispensations; it is to bring us to himself. This aim regards the state we are previously in-a state of distance and alienation from him. Man is a fallen creature, and his fall consists in his departure from the holy and blessed God; and; therefore he now lives without God in the world. God is not in all his thoughts; and when God would enter them, he is repelled as an invader and intruder, and he says unto God, “Depart from me, I desire not a knowledge of thy ways.” As in this state we see our sin, so we equally see our misery; for with God is the fountain of life, and we can only be happy in proportion as we are with him.

Herein appears the prerogative of man-that, of all the creatures in this lower world he alone was made capable of knowing and enjoying God, and was intended for it; and consequently he is necessarily miserable without it. Though he is now in a lapsed condition, he retains the same essential relation to God as his supreme good; and in the absence of God, therefore, he goes to creatures to supply his place, but in vain; they can afford him no satisfaction; in the midst of his sufficiency he is in straits. But though these things cannot satisfy the mind, they can engross it; and it is by these diversions that he secures anything like inward peace. This peace, however, is only a delusion that can continue only for his life; and what is our life? a vapour, that appeareth for a moment, and then vanisheth away. How dreadful it is to think of entering into a future state with our present passions and appetites.

Oh, what a mercy to be drawn to God; drawn to his word; drawn to his house; drawn to his people; drawn to his throne; drawn to his table; drawn to the cross of his Son; that place of appointed interview, and peace, and friendship, and intercourse between the sinner and God; for God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.”