2 Chronicles 6:6-9 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.… I. THE LORD NOTICES THE PIOUS PURPOSES OF THE HEART. And here the following points require attention. 1. He is omniscient. "All things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." "I the Lord search the heart." We judge by external manifestations, and know the tree by its fruit; but He understands our thought afar off. 2. The omniscient Jehovah approves the godly purpose. It is acceptable to Him through Jesus Christ, as it springs from faith and love, as it means glory to God and goodwill toward man. The Lord knows and approves your desire to serve Him, whatever obstacles may arise to prevent the fulfilment. "The desire of a man is his kindness," and is accepted as such. 3. He sees the effect of His grace. "From Him all good things do come." And where is the believer who will not gratefully own, "Thou hast wrought all our works in us"? We have no purposes which, in the sight of God, are godly, until a good work is begun in us; for, as depraved creatures, we are all alienated from the life of God. Our purposes are worldly and sinful. II. IT MAY PLEASE THE LORD, IN THE EXERCISE OF INFINITE WISDOM AND GOODNESS, TO DISAPPOINT US WITH REGARD TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OUR PURPOSES OF SERVING HIM. 1. To impress us with the conviction of His independence. He is the "Lord God Almighty," who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. Such dispensations of Providence may be appointed to teach the Church of God that its great Head, when He thinks proper, can dispense with the instrumentality we expected Him to employ. 2. Another reason for the Divine conduct in the case in point is to induce the spirit of submission and resignation. And can you say, "Thy will, my God, Thy will be done"? We naturally like our own way. Our "purposes are broken off," even "the thoughts of our heart." God thwarts us, not to grieve, but to teach us deference to His will. 3. We may add another reason why God takes away the young and useful, to prevent idolatry. III. IF THE LORD THUS PREVENT THE FULFILMENT OF THE PIOUS PURPOSE, HE TENDERLY SAYS, "THOU HAST WELL DONE IN THAT IT WAS IN THINE HEART." IV. GOD GRACIOUSLY REWARDS THE INTENTION, EVEN AS MUCH AS IF IT HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. It is our painful duty to charge the sinner to remember that God notices and takes account of his evil devices. (S. Eldridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. |
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