2 Kings 16:20

REFLECTIONS

How painful a thought is it to behold in this history of Israel and Judah the sad proofs of a fallen state! whether we read of one king or another, the general features of all are the same; All have sinned and come short of God's glory! But with what increased distress do we behold in the priests of God, as in this awful character of Urijah, the dreadful apostacy of mankind! and in the end, what must be the awful consequence. Begin at my sanctuary, saith God in his judgments. And if judgment begin at the house of God, what must the end be of them that obey not the gospel of Jesus? For if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Ye ministers of Jesus, think of these things. And dare be zealous for God's honour and glory, though it expose you to the hatred and anger of men.

But how is my soul relieved from contemplating such a king as Ahaz, and such an High Priest as Urijah, in calling to mind the prophet's commission when sent to Ahaz to proclaim to him the approach of that hour, when the Lord would fulfil that promise of raising up to himself a faithful priest, who should do according to what was in the heart of the Lord. Precious Jesus! thou art indeed a priest upon thy throne. And all the impiety of Ahaz, and the worthlessness of Urijah, I would lose sight of in thy faithfulness and truth. Thou art the very one which the Lord gave as a sign to Ahaz: thou art Immanuel, God with us, God in our nature, the hope of glory! Blessed assurance! for, as God the work of redemption is neither too great, nor too heavy, for thee; and as man, God dwelling with us, and being one in our nature, thou wilt be on our side, and both accomplish and render effectual the salvation thou hast undertaken. So that we may cry out, If God be for us who shall be against us? It is God that justifieth, who - is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God. Nothing therefore shalt be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.