Psalms 31:24

REFLECTIONS

S TAND still, my soul, and make a solemn pause over the perusal of this most precious Psalm. Did David, indeed, by the spirit of prophecy, here describe Christ? Was the Holy Ghost so graciously attentive to the interests of the church, as to cause such a treasure to be laid up, concerning the Redeemer's exercises, so many ages before his incarnation? Well then mayest thou regard every portion of it as blessed, and while hearing Jesus, in those exercises, thus pleading with the Father, rejoice in contemplating the gracious fruits of his intercession. Yea, my soul, let such views of Christ, as thy Surety, support thee in all the lesser exercises of thy warfare, and give thee comfort in the assurance, that, as Christ was heard in that he feared, thy prayers in him will come up at all times with acceptance, upon that altar.

And oh! thou blessed Lord, didst thou indeed, in thy suretyship engagements, thus smart for it; and wert thou made a reproach and a derision? Was thy life consumed with grief, and thy years with trouble? Oh Lamb of God! cause me to contemplate with increasing earnestness, and increasing delight, at every renewed view, thy marvellous love in thus exposing thyself to evil for the everlasting happiness of thy redeemed.

And do thou, blessed Spirit, impress upon my mind such a deep sense of the infinite preciousness of Jesus and his salvation, that in him and in his righteousness I may go forth from day to day, humbly casting myself upon the covenant faithfulness of Jehovah, as my strong rock and house of defense against all my enemies. May my soul rejoice in the Lord, and triumph in the God of my salvation. And in all the exercises and events of this short pilgrimage state, may it be my joy that my times are in the Lord's hands: and when he shall appoint the time of my departure, may I be enabled from long acquaintance, long proved and well-founded confidence in the merits and righteousness of Jesus for salvation, to make a full and perfect surrender of soul, body, and spirit unto him, humbly adopting the same blessed words: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.