Difference between revisions of "Meditation LXIII."
(Created page with "====Meditation LXIII.==== '''COMFORT AND TERROR IN ONE CONSIDERATION.''' Portland Roads, Dec. 19, 1758. When the affairs of war, or the necessities of our trade, call for a...") |
(No difference)
|
Latest revision as of 00:01, 7 January 2020
Meditation LXIII.
COMFORT AND TERROR IN ONE CONSIDERATION.
Portland Roads, Dec. 19, 1758.
When the affairs of war, or the necessities of our trade, call for a change of climates, and hurry us from the chilling North to the burning South; it may afford comfort to the pious soul to reflect—that the God on whom he built his hopes here, is also there to answer all the expectations of his faith. But it may strike terror into the profligate wretch, to think that the God against whom he sinned here, is also there to punish his iniquity. Then I see that the omnipresence of God may be a panacea—a universal cure—to the anxiety of my soul everywhere. For God may call his redeemed people away from their own home, their friends, their country—but he will never cast them from his protection, his presence, himself! Then, though I leave my friends and acquaintances—and go to the remotest Indies, or most distant parts of the world—still the same God who here manifests himself so gracious and so kind, is the same God who governs under the whole heaven, and there can manifest himself in his accustomed tender mercy, and loving-kindness.
"Where can I go from him who is everywhere?" this is my comfort. And where will you, O sinner! fly from him who is everywhere? let this be your terror. For the God who dwells between the cherubim of a gospel-dispensation, sits also on the floods; and he who rules in Jacob, rules also unto the ends of the earth. Moreover, when I leave this world to go into the unknown world—then the same God (for he who measures the moments of my time, inhabits eternity) whom I served here, shall receive me there. This is the excellency of the Christian religion, that we, as it were, begin eternity in time, and join in our adoration with the multitudes of heaven.
Deluded nations of old trusted in gods which could not move, but needed to be carried by their demented votaries! But the true God, who is an everlasting King, has been the God of his chosen people in all places of the world, and in all ages, yes, before the world began! Hence says Moses, "You have been our dwelling-place in all generations, before you had brought forth the mountains!" And when time is gone, and ages finished, he will be their dwelling-place, who is from everlasting to everlasting God. Then happy I, if I have an abiding relationship, and sure interest in him who is everywhere present, as to his place; and inhabits eternity, as to his duration. Time past and to come only has relevance to us mortals. For with God it ever was, is, and will be—one eternal now.
Every way I look, there is safety! If I dwell I at home—God is there! If I go abroad—God is there! If I live I in this world—God holds it in his hand, and sees under the whole heaven! If I die, and go out of the world—God is there filling all, and in all.
Now, O sinner! stand still, and see your misery! You sin against God—and how shall you escape? You may injure a fellow creature, and, by going into some distant part of the world, elude law, and laugh at justice; and if you die, you are out of the reach of the pursuer to all intents and purposes. But flee where you will—you are still in God's power, still in his presence—whom you have offended!
Remember, that he whom you have made your enemy all your life long—will at last be your judge, and supreme tormentor—whose breath shall kindle the burning stream. Sinners and saints may have common comforts, and common crosses. But one thought on eternity spreads horror through the soul of the one—while it diffuses consolation in the bosom of the other!
Back to Meditations 61 to 90