2 Chronicles 34:27 Because your heart was tender, and you did humble yourself before God, when you heard his words against this place… I. GIVE A GENERAL ACCOUNT OF A TENDER HEART. It implies — 1. A quick and ready sense and feeling in spiritual things. (1) Quickness of apprehension. (2) Ready reflections of conscience. (3) A disposition to be easily affected. 2. A pliable disposition to yield to Divine influences. II. DESCRIBE THE WAY IN WHICH SUCH A TEMPER SHOULD EXPRESS ITSELF. 1. In relation to the Word of God. A man of religious tenderness of spirit will — (1) Make it his business to acquaint himself with the mind of God. (2) Pay ready subjection to the authority of God in His Word. (3) Be afraid to do anything which he doubts to be disagreeable to God's Word. (4) Will frequently compare his heart and life with God's Word. 2. In relation to sin. 3. In relation to providential events. 4. In relation to the honour of God. III. WHAT FOUNDATION IS LAID FOR SUCH A TEMPER IN CHRISTIANITY. 1. The rule of our faith and practice is more complete. 2. The recompenses of the life to come are more fully revealed to us. 3. Richer discoveries of grace are made to us. 4. Ceremonials have given way to substantials of religion. 5. The softening spirit is more plentifully communicated. IV. INFERENCES. 1. Discern the differences between a truly Christian temper and some things mistaken for it. It is not — (1) Natural easiness of disposition — (2) Occasional. 2. Let us all seek after and cultivate this tenderness of spirit. 3. If conscious of its possession, take the comfort of it as good evidence of a renewed and Christian state. (J. Evans, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. |
    |