2 Chronicles 28:27

REFLECTIONS

PAUSE! my soul, over the perusal of this chapter, and in the conduct of Ahaz behold the lost, depraved, hardened, and wretched state of human nature. See, my soul, to what sin hath reduced every man? and remark also how deluded to his own ruin is the sinner, who, when the Lord is coming forth as his enemy, is vainly looking to an arm of flesh to become his friend; as if a man would set the briars and thorns against Jehovah in battle! But while contemplating man's worthlessness, oh for grace to admire and adore God's faithfulness. Was it not enough, oh! thou most gracious Lord, that immediately upon the fall of man redemption was promised; and that from age to age thou shouldest send thy servants to keep alive the remembrance of this unspeakable mercy promised in the minds of thy people; but that, at a period when they were all sinning with an high hand, and living as if regardless of all thy love, that then thou shouldest magnify the exceeding riches of thy grace, and then commission thy servant the prophet to tell Ahaz that redemption was approaching, and Emmanuel should appear as the son of the virgin. Lord! help me to adore, to magnify, to rightly understand and prize those depths, and heights, and breadths, and lengths, of such peerless, matchless love! And Lord, amidst all the unworthiness, and coldness, and deadness, and undeservings of my heart, let such views of thy grace comfort and refresh my soul. Yes! thou blessed Jesus, thou precious Emmanuel, amidst all my sorrows let me derive my highest consolation from any interest in thee, my relation to thee, my hopes and expectations from thee, and my whole salvation of thee, the Lord my righteousness. Thou art indeed Emmanuel, God with us, God in us the hope of glory.