2 Kings 12:21

REFLECTIONS

READER I would wish for myself, and, if the Lord pleases, may he graciously make it profitable to you also, in the review of this character of Joash, to consider what instructions we may gather from it considered with an eye to gospel times, and to the blessed redemption believers have in the Lord Jesus. When we see what a sad conclusion the life of Joash had, to so promising a beginning, it ought to induce inquiry into the circumstances of spiritual declensions, and the sad cause why it is that some who seemingly set out fair for the kingdom, flag and tire by the way. The apostle Paul, as the penman of the Holy Ghost, hath plainly assigned the reason in his third chapter to the Church of the Galatians; where he calls them foolish Galatians, because having begun in the Spirit, they afterwards thought to he made perfect by the flesh. When souls shift the foundation of their faith and hope, and leave their first love, leave Jesus, and seek a partial justification before God in their own works, they soon find leanness in their souls. Reader! I charge it upon you, if you know anything of Christ, desire to know nothing but Christ. Make him what he really is, the Alpha and Omega of your salvation; the Finisher as well as the Author of it; and you will do well. Did you not renounce everything of your own, and what was in yourself, when you first came to Jesus, and would you now take somewhat of your own to purchase Christ? Did Jesus give life to your soul at the first, when by his Spirit he quickened you; and must he not give life still? Having begun (saith the apostle) in the Spirit are you so foolish as to seek to be made perfect in the flesh? Oh! thou blessed, blessed Source of all our hopes and joys; thou precious Jesus, be thou all in all to the souls of thy people! Here, Lord, I beg once for all totally to renounce myself, and as I first came to thee guilty, poor, and wretched; so, Lord, I would come still. Blessed be thy name, for that thou hast taught me to know the plague of my own heart, and to see and he convinced that in myself, after all thou hast bestowed upon me, I am no more worthy now, than when thou didst pass by and beheld me in my blood, and bid me live. Yes! dearest Lord, I desire to lie low in the dust before thee in token of my nothingness and unworthiness, while hanging upon thee the full assurance of my salvation. And, Lord, let it be my daily desire to exercise every act of faith upon thee, to undertake nothing but in thy strength, and to seek acceptance only in thy blood and righteousness. And oh! may I know thee with increasing joy under that blessed character whereby thou art revealed to thy people, as the Lord our righteousness; being convinced that thou art made of God, to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, that all my glorying may be in the Lord.