Jeremiah 3:4 Will you not from this time cry to me, My father, you are the guide of my youth? I. YOU GREATLY NEED SOME FAITHFUL AND EFFECTIVE GUIDANCE IN THE SHAPING OF YOUR LIVES. 1. Because the path of duty and of safety is often exceedingly difficult to find. Often, when determining what you are bound to accept as duty or to receive as truth, you have many circumstances to consider, many probabilities to estimate, many opposing arguments to weigh. While the general direction in which you are to move, if you intend to live wisely, is obvious enough, you may still find perplexities at every point, to extricate yourself from which will try, perhaps baffle, your utmost wisdom, who is sufficient for these things? 2. Because your own strong impulses are likely to mislead you. It is easy to believe that to be right or useful which accords with inclination. It is hard to think that to be obligatory, or best, to which the feelings are averse, and which involves the necessity of self-denial. 3. Because there are many who will studiously seek your ruin. (1) There are found even in the best conditions of society, the openly debased and vicious. (2) Besides these, there are many — corrupt in heart — who will seek to reach you with influences fitted to destroy your virtuous sentiments, and principles, and ultimate well-being. 4. Because so many are continually ruined. Where many fall, there is reason that all should fear. II. THE REASONABLENESS, THE WISDOM, OF MAKING GOD YOUR GUIDE. 1. You owe it to God Himself thus to honour Him with your confidence. It is His right. 2. God alone can afford you a sufficient guidance. Where can you find another to whose care and leading you can safely and without anxiety, commit the infinitely precious interests of your being? III. WHEN SHOULD GOD'S OFFERED GUIDANCE BE ACCEPTED? "From this time." 1. The present is a practicable time — a time in which without hindrance God may be intelligently" and cordially accepted as a guide. 2. The present is the very time that God Himself proposes. Remember now thy Creator." 3. It is at the present time that your need of the blessing in question is becoming manifest and urgent. 4. The present may not improbably be the only time in which you will have it in your power to secure the Divine guidance (Proverbs 1:24-29). (Ray Palmer, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?WEB: Will you not from this time cry to me, 'My Father, you are the guide of my youth?' |
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