November 22
The Interesting Vision
The Christian's Daily Treasury"Thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes."—Psalms 26:3.
WHEN calumny hurls her envenomed dart, and care spreads her heavy wings over the soul, how delightful is it to look out of the bright opening which religion presents, and see the loving-kindness of the Lord! This David did. See here
THE INTERESTING VISION REFERRED TO. Consider
What it is. What is the object of this vision? "Thy loving-kindness." God's loving-kindness is displayed in nature, providence, and grace. But as it refers to the Christian, it intimates the special, free, and unmerited favor of God. It is designated "merciful kindness," Psalm exix. 76. "Marvellous kindness," Psalms 31:21. "Great kindness," Nehemiah 9:17. "Everlasting kindness," Isaiah 54:8. Love is the principle, kindness is the product; the one is the cause, the other the effect.
Where it is to be seen. We behold God's name inscribed on all his works; but he appears at a distance; the glass of the Gospel has a magnifying power, and brings him near. We see his loving-kindness in the work of Christ. This world was the grand scene of it, when God was manifest in the flesh. See it in the stable of Bethlehem; hear its praises in the angels' songs. It was published in the towns and villages of Palestine; it was made known in the cities, fields, mountains, and deserts of Judea. The cross proclaims it. Look within the veil and behold Jesus, no longer presenting sacrifice at the altar, but pouring incense before the throne. See, in the preaching of the Gospel, the provisions of grace, and the offers of mercy, the loving-kindness of the Lord.
How it is to be beheld. What is it to have it before our eyes? It includes a proper apprehension of it. "Whoso is wise and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." A high value for it. We cast aside that which we do not value, but have before us that which we esteem; we like it in view. A constant regard to it. So David says, "I have set the Lord always before me." With regard to any thing on which we have our minds set, we say, We do not lose sight of it. So it should be with God's loving-kindness.