_Though Moses and Samuel stood before Me, yet My mind could not be towards this people._ RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE STRENGTH OF NATIONS It is of great importance that we distinguish between communities, and the individuals of which communities are composed. When the whole human race shall be gathered befor... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am weary with repenting._ THE ALMIGHTY WEARY WITH REPENTING I. God repenting. God condescends to designate His conduct by that name. The expression may be inadequate and defective, but still language had nothing better to describe the idea, nor human experience to represent the fact. When God i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast forsaken Me._ GOD FORSAKING AND GOD FORSAKEN I. A God-forsaking people. Conviction by God Himself of this great folly and sin. In Jeremiah 2:13, the charge is more complete. Creation is called upon to express surprise at a folly so conspicuous. 1. “Thou”--who oughtest to have been unto... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her sun is gone down while it is yet day._ BEAUTIFUL, BUT BRIEF I. Her life was like the sun in its shining. 1. Gloriously bright with faith and joy. 2. Blessedly useful in diffusing light. 3. Constantly comforting, by its warmth of love and hope. 4. Christianly generous, always giving. 5. A... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man of strife._ MEN OF PROGRESS, MEN OF STRIFE I. Because of noncompliance with popular sins. Always some interested in doing wrong, and maintaining evil among the people. Those who will not conform, especially such as speak and labour against sin, are considered men of strife. II. Because the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?_ THE NORTHERN IRON AND STEEL In order to achieve a purpose there must be sufficient force. The weaker cannot overcome the stronger. In a general clash the firmest will win. You cannot cut granite with a pen knife, nor drill a hole in a rock with a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember me and visit me._ THE DESIRE TO BE REMEMBERED Jeremiah desires many things; but the thing he asks first, as including all the rest, is that God would not let him drop out of sight and thought. I. The perpetually recurring phrase, “God knows,” expresses a mood of thought common to ration... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy word was unto me the Joy and rejoicing of mine heart._ THE SOUL’S DISCOVERY AND USE OF THE WORDS OF GOD I. The soul’s discovery of the words of God. “Thy words were found.” 1. In their truth. “He that believeth hath the witness”--_i.e.,_ the thing witnessed, the testimony--“in himself.” He f... [ Continue Reading ]
_I sat not in the assembly of the mockers._ CHRISTIANS DELIGHT NOT IN GODLESS COMPANY It is better and safer to ride alone than to have a thief’s company; and such is a wicked man, who will rob thee of precious time, if he do thee no more mischief. The Nazarites, who might drink no wine, were also... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why is my pain perpetual?_ THE FUNCTION OF PAIN This piteous lament may fitly represent the anguished cry of suffering humanity, from age to age. In all lands, under all skies, in all times, the same mournful wail is heard,--a ceaseless dirge of woe, day and night, from ten thousand times ten thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thou shalt take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth._ THE PERSONAL FACTOR IN OUR THOUGHT OF GOD AND MAN If Jeremiah at the time he wrote these words had been asked our modern question, “Is life worth living?” he would have returned a negative answer. For here you have th... [ Continue Reading ]