1 Chronicles 12:40

REFLECTIONS

WHILE we behold David thus surrounded with his worthies, let our thoughts take wing and fly away to the contemplation of David's Lord, now attended with his redeemed ones around the throne which is above. Yes: thou Holy and Exalted Saviour! we may, by the eye of faith, look within the vail, and see thee encircled with all the chosen race of worthies, that have followed thee, and been of thine host, from all ages. The glorious company of the Apostles, the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the noble army of martyrs, all, all, praise thee. And worthy art thou to be praised, thou Holy One of Israel!

And think, ye redeemed ones on earth, whom the Lord! hath gathered from among men, and made kings and priests unto God and the Father, - think to what high honour ye are called, in that ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. Oh! sound forth the high praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who were once afar of but are now brought nigh by his blood: who were once not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. If the worthies of David are thus registered in the Chronicles, think of the high honour of the worthies of Jesus, made worthy in his worthiness only, in having their names written in heaven. If David's warriors are thus spoken of with such honorable testimony in the book of God, recollect your dignity, ye soldiers in the holy army of Jesus, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice. The Lord is at hand. Yet a little while and Jesus will appear to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all that believe. And then the Son of God will be seen surrounded with all his throng, and not one, even the humblest and least of his redeemed, will be found wanting, Haste, my beloved, and until the day break and the shadows flee away, be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.