Ezekiel 7:27

REFLECTIONS

Lord! help both Writer and Reader in the perusal of this solemn Chapter, to make application of the awakening contents to themselves, as it concerns the great day of the Lord. Yet a little while, and as it relates to either, the cry will be, the end is come, now is the end come upon thee. My soul, if the archangel's trump was now to sound, how art thou prepared? There is indeed laid up for them that fear God, a crown of glory, which the Lord the righteous Judge will give them at that day, and to all them that love his appearing. But the question is, do we love his appearing? Is Jesus in his person, in his work, in his saving grace, in the conversion of sinners, and the comforting of saints, precious. If so we may look forward with holy joy, and hail the approach of this great day of God. Blessed we shall then say be the day, when the end is come to sin and sorrow; to pain, sickness, and care. Oh,! for grace thus to be looking for, and hasting to the great day of God!

Reader! as we pause over the review, let us bless our gracious Covenant God in Christ, if so be our souls are both prepared for the troubles coming upon the earth. The day is coming, when, as this scripture solemnly assures us: all hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water. In the outward calamities of national judgments, the same flame that burns up the city, consumes both the righteous and the wicked in it. All swim in the same ship. All are saved or stranded together. But in respect to inward comforts, grace lifts the soul above all danger. Oh! the blessedness to be found in that day among the redeemed of the Lord, and sealed as the Lord's hidden ones, by the Holy Spirit unto eternal redemption. Grant, heavenly Father! for the Lord Jesus's sake, if it be thy heavenly will, both to Writer and Reader, such rich assurances of faith, that when the great day of the Lord shall come, and Jesus himself shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming!