1 Kings 14:31

REFLECTIONS

WHILE we have reason to shudder in beholding the sad consequences of our fallen nature, in an example so truly dreadful as that of Jeroboam; and while I would for myself and Reader pray for grace to lay low in the dust of self-abasement in a conscious sense, that if we differ from him it is grace alone that hath done it; I would pause over the beautiful account that is given of the man of God, and pray that the Lord in mercy to the present hour would grant his church many, many Ahijahs. Blessed Jesus! I would say, send forth faithful ministers who will neither fear the frowns, nor court the smiles, of any man; but speak the whole truth as it is in Jesus, and keep back nothing that may be profitable to the alarming of sinners, the comforting of saints, and to the building up thy people in their most holy faith.

But while I would thus look up and beg a blessing for a faithful ministry, shall I contemplate the servant and forget the master? Shall not the view of Ahijah lead my soul to thee, thou great Prophet and Priest of thy people? Yes! blessed Jesus! if I forget thee let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth. Thou art indeed a faithful high priest! and thy faithfulness and truth in making manifest thine and thy father's laws, which our whole race have broken, have been the blessed means, through the influence of thy Holy Spirit upon our hearts, of turning thy people from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to thee the living God. Yes! dearest Jesus! thou art a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man! and thou hast not only proclaimed to us our faults, and by the influence of thy blessed Spirit convinced us of sin, but thou hast in infinite mercy constrained us to thy love, and turned our hearts back again. Lord Jesus! break down all our idols! take away all our false refuges of lies! do thou sit, blessed Jesus, as a refiner and purifier of silver; and purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. For then the promise is sweet, and will surely be fulfilled; then shall the offering of Judah be pleasant to the Lord as in the days of old, and as in former years. Hasten, blessed Jesus! the accomplishment of this glorious end; purge away all my dross, and take away all my sin.