They spared no cost upon their idols we grudge what is spent in the service of our God. He that is so poor, that he has scarcely a sacrifice to offer, yet will not be without a god of his own. Verses 18-26 Whatever we esteem or love, fear or hope in, more than God, that creature we make equal with God, though we do not make images or worship them. Our souls must have perished for ever, if the only Son of the Father had not given himself for us. The services of the church can make no addition to him. This magnifies God's love to the world, that, though it is of such small account and value with him, yet, for the redemption of it, he gave his only-begotten Son, ( John 3:16 ). The nations, in comparison of him, are as a drop which remains in the bucket, compared with the vast ocean or as the small dust in the balance, which does not turn it, compared with all the earth. When the Lord, by his Spirit, made the world, none directed his Spirit, or gave advice what to do, or how to do it. Verses 12-17 All created beings shrink to nothing in comparison with the Creator. May we know our Shepherd's voice, and follow him, proving ourselves his sheep. By his word he requires no more service, and by his providence he inflicts no more trouble, than he will strengthen them for. Christ is the good Shepherd he shows tender care for young converts, weak believers, and those of a sorrowful spirit. Satan is the strong man armed but our Lord Jesus is stronger and he shall proceed, and do all that he purposes. The glad tidings of the coming of Christ were to be sent forth to the ends of the earth. What are all that belongs to fallen man, or all that he does, but as the grass and the flower thereof! And what will all the titles and possessions of a dying sinner avail, when they leave him under condemnation! The word of the Lord can do that for us, which all flesh cannot. And may the Lord prepare our hearts by the teaching of his word and the convictions of his Spirit, that high and proud thoughts may be brought down, good desires planted, crooked and rugged tempers made straight and softened, and every hinderance removed, that we may be ready for his will on earth, and prepared for his heavenly kingdom. When eastern princes marched through desert countries, ways were prepared for them, and hinderances removed. But this is a small event, compared with that pointed out by the Holy Ghost in the New Testament, when John the Baptist proclaimed the approach of Christ. The prophet had some reference to the return of the Jews from Babylon. In Christ, and his sufferings, true penitents receive of the Lord's hand double for all their sins for the satisfaction Christ made by his death was of infinite value. In the great atonement of the death of Christ, the mercy of God is exercised to the glory of his justice. Troubles are removed in love, when sin is pardoned. Verses 1-11 All human life is a warfare the Christian life is the most so but the struggle will not last always. The preaching of the gospel, and glad tidings of the coming of Christ.
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