2 Chronicles 13:22

REFLECTIONS

IT is hardly possible to read the history of war and bloodshed without having our minds led out to the serious consequences of sin, which hath introduced death with all its trains of evil. Behold, Reader, in the example before us, how the descendants of Jacob, in the different tribes and families, have lost sight of their original stock, and are employed in destroying one another. Oh! the wretched consequences of a fallen state! precious Jesus! here again, as in a thousand other instances, let me pause to praise thee for thy gracious interposition in the redemption of our fallen nature!

Lord! I beseech thee that in all the conflicts and warfares in which my soul may be engaged, give me to see, like Abijah, that the Lord is on my side, then need I not fear what men can do unto me. And oh, Lord! let my cause be on the same side as his was, with the house of David. Jesus is my lawful sovereign: by heirship; for the Father hath made him heir of all things; and by purchase and by conquest, for he hath purchased my redemption with his blood; and by the victory of his grace over my heart, he hath a rightful claim to my obedience and my love. Lord, grant that I may never be found lifting up the heel of disobedience against thee, lest like Jeroboam the Lord smite me, and I never after recover strength to lift up my head. But make me the willing subject of thy grace, that my knee may bow before thee, and with all the redeemed joyfully confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. - Amen.