We have here Hezekiah's thanksgiving. It is well for us to
remember the mercies we receive in sickness. Hezekiah records the condition he
was in. He dwells upon this; I shall no more see the Lord. A good man wishes
not to live for any other end than that he may serve God, and have communion
with him. Our present residence is like that of a shepherd in his hut, a poor,
mean, and cold lodging, and with a trust committed to our charge, as the
shepherd has.
Our days are compared to the weaver's shuttle, Job 7:6,
passing and re-passing very swiftly, every throw leaving a thread behind it;
and when finished, the piece is cut off, taken out of the loom, and showed to
our Master to be judged of. A good man, when his life is cut off, his cares and
fatigues are cut off with it, and he rests from his labors. But our times are
in God's hand; he has appointed what shall be the length of the piece. When
sick, we are very apt to calculate our time, but are still at uncertainty.
It should be more our care how we shall get safe to another
world. And the more we taste of the loving-kindness of God, the more will our
hearts love him, and live to him. It was in love to our poor perishing souls
that Christ delivered them. The pardon does not make the sin not to have been
sin, but not to be punished as it deserves. It is pleasant to think of our
recoveries from sickness, when we see them flowing from the pardon of sin.
Hezekiah's opportunity to glorify God in this world, he made the business, and
pleasure, and end of life. Being recovered, he resolves to abound in praising
and serving God. God's promises are not to do away, but to quicken and
encourage the use of means. Life and health are given that we may glorify God
and do good.
“But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has
done this…”…Isaiah 38:15
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post a Comment