1 Chronicles 29:15-16 For we are strangers before you, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow… This expression is remarkable, they are strangers "before the Lord." He knows them to be such, and it is by His wise and gracious appointment that they are so. I. ALL TRUE BELIEVERS ARE STRANGERS AND SOJOURNERS UPON EARTH, IN RESPECT TO THEIR ACTUAL STATE AND CONDITION. The saints in this world are like travellers in a foreign land, or like a merchant ship in a strange port; the day of return is set, and it only waits till the freight is ready. II. WITH RESPECT TO THEIR TEMPER AND DISPOSITION. 1. They manifest the disposition of strangers and sojourners by their comparative indifference to the things of the present world. 2. As strangers they intermeddle not with things that do not immediately concern them, and are not busybodies in other people's matters. 3. Strangers long to be at home, are often sending home, and will be grieved if they do not hear from thence. III. REAL CHRISTIANS ARE OFTEN TREATED LIKE STRANGERS BY THE MEN OF THE WORLD. The principles by which they are actuated, the inward conflicts, joys, and consolations which they experience, the hopes and prospects which they entertain, are all unknown to the unbelieving world, who regard them only as so many misguided enthusiasts. Men wonder at their zeal and fervency, their mortification and self-denial, their courage and resolution. They also wonder that they do not run with them to the same excess of riot (1 Peter 4:4). IV. CHRISTIANS ARE ONLY SOJOURNERS. A sojourner is one who dwells in a strange country, in which he has no possession, but takes up a temporary residence (Leviticus 25:23; 1 Peter 1:17). V. OUR BEING STRANGERS AND SOJOURNERS UPON THE EARTH IS SUFFICIENTLY ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED BY OUR ACTUAL CONDITION, OR THE SHORTNESS OF TIME, AND THE MUTABILITY OF OUR STATE. Inferences: 1. Let us learn to be more indifferent about things present. 2. The brevity of our state should teach us to improve time while we have it. 3. Adore the mercy and forbearance which did not cut us off in our sins. 4. Learn to live in the constant expectation of death and judgment, as if every day were to be the last. 5. If true believers in every age have been strangers and sojourners upon the earth, let us carefully examine how far this character belongs to us. 6. If we really bear the character of a pilgrim in a strange land, let us be careful to act upon it. 7. Let us bear with meekness and patience the troubles we may meet with by the way. 8. Let us endeavour to lead others into the way we are going (Numbers 10:29; Jeremiah 6:16; John 14:6). 9. Learn to be kind-hearted to all who are travelling Zionward, to love as brethren and strengthen each other's hands in the Lord. 10. Consider what a hearty welcome awaits you when you reach your destination. (B. Beddome, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. |
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