EPC Australia

Our chief concern should be to see more those blessings which will supply the soul and endure for ever. He only is truly blessed who is blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Our Saviour, therefore, says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;" yet he does not scruple to say, "And all these things shall be added unto you." Temporal benefits are not beneath the attention of our kind Father. He knoweth that we have need of these things before we ask him. He knoweth our frame and he knoweth our fears. And not only under the Law, but under the Gospel, godliness is profitable unto all things; and has promises of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come.

The promise before us extends to all the temporal support of his people; but there is wisdom in the language. In another place it is also said, "Thy bread shall be given thee, and thy water shall be sure." Is not the specification designed to check not only anxiety, but ambition and avarice? Does it not say, "Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not." Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have."

Nothing can do us good without the blessing of God; but his blessing commands what it announces; and what he blesses, is blessed. Hence "a little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked." It is more efficient. It goes further; as Philip Henry was wont to say to his family, "My dear children, the grace of God will make a little go a great way." It is surprising to see with what "a slender income many Christians keep up a decent appearance, and owe no man any thing, and even give to him that needeth. The thing is, "The secret of the Lord is upon their tabernacle."

But while he blesses "the habitation of the just", his curse "is in the house of the wicked". And then nothing prospers. They seem a wonder to themselves and others. They get much and gain nothing. So it was with the selfish and illiberal Jews when they came back from Babylon, and built their own ceiled houses, while the house of God lay waste. Had they minded his affairs, he would have minded theirs, and have proved that we cannot serve God for nought. But now, says God, "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."

It is also more satisfying; for the state of the mind conduces to the relish of every outward comfort; and in the Christian this state of mind is grateful, and peaceful, and cheerful, arising from a hope of reconciliation with God. His frown would darken a thousand suns. But every thing smiles when he smiles.

"How sweet our daily comforts prove,
When they are season'd with his love."

And we see the dear medium through which they come as covenant blessings:

"He sunk beneath our heavy woes,
To raise us to his throne:
There's not a gift his hand bestows,
But cost his heart a groan."

The wicked feast without fear. But there is reason enough why they should fear. Neglecting the service of God, they are strangers to his blessing. Left to themselves, every advantage and indulgence operating upon their depravity, contributes to their guilt and misery. Their table becomes a snare, and that which should have proved for their welfare, becomes a trap. The prosperity of fools destroys them. Now consider this, ye that forget God, and without delay, seek to be numbered with the seed which the Lord hath blessed.

Morning Exercises For Everyday In The Year
By Rev. William Jay