Psalms 76:12

REFLECTIONS

MY soul, thou hast been looking at the happy state of Israel, when living under the divine presence, and beheld the blessedness of having the Lord Jehovah in the midst of his Zion, to comfort and to strengthen her. There, indeed, as the prophet sang, the glorious Lord was unto them as a place of broad rivers and streams, wherein no galley with oars from the enemy could go, neither any of their gallant ships pass by: for if the Lord himself was the river and streams of his people, surely upon all the glory was there a defense. And are the advantages of God's people less now? No, in no wise. If in Judah God was known, and his name was great in Israel, is not God truly known in Him and by Him who sprang out of Judah? And hath he not made himself truly known in and by the revelation of his dear Son? Hath not the name of Jehovah been made great and gracious also, since Jesus came and proclaimed, in his own and his Father's name, salvation to poor sinners in his blood and righteousness? Was the tabernacle at Salem glorious when the Shechinah was manifested there, and God's dwelling known to be in Zion by these marks and testimonies? And are these mercies less, or rather, are they not all abundantly heightened, since Jesus came down and tabernacled in our nature, and fulfilled the promise which John heard: Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Oh! thou precious Lord Jesus! it is thou, that hast brought us truly acquainted with God, and art not only come nigh unto us, but hast brought us nigh by thy blood. There, indeed, in thy tabernacling in our flesh, didst thou break the arrows of the bow, the shield, the sword, and the battle; for in our nature, and for our salvation, thou hast destroyed all the powers of the enemy, and thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey. Hail! thou blessed and victorious Friend of poor sinners!