January 22

The LORD is good. Nahum 1:7.

HE is essentially good-immutably good-infinitely good.

The good of all creation is derived from him. They are only so many beams from this sun, or so many drops from this ocean. “He is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.” But his goodness does not appear here in its highest form; and the reason is, these creatures never forfeited his care and kindness; they answer the purpose of their original creation.

It is otherwise with us; we have rebelled against him; we are transgressors from the womb; we deserve, as children of disobedience, that his wrath should be poured out upon us. And yet such is his marvellous loving-kindness, that even “the children of men put their trust under the shadow of his wings.” And he spares us, and preserves us. He provides for us, and gives us richly all things to enjoy.

What a world has he fitted up for us! what sights for our eyes! what sounds for our ears! what relishes for our appetites! Yet, if he were to stop the bounties of nature and providence, we could even then exclaim with the Apostle John, “Herein is love.” In what? “Not that we loved God, but that God loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Oh, this ensures every other blessing. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.” This involves every other. He is “all in all.” By him and in him we are “blessed with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places.”

How good is he, who not only without our desert and without our desire provided for us such a Saviour, but has disposed and enabled us also to avail ourselves of him; who has called us, not only by his word, but by his Spirit?” “Why,” may every Christian ask-

“Why was I made to hear his voice,

And enter while there’s room,

While thousands make a wretched choice,

And rather starve than come?

“’Twas the same love that spread the feast,

That sweetly forced me in,

Else I had still refused to taste,

And perish’d in my sin.”