Psalm 148:14 He also exalts the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near to him… : — I. THE POSITION OF THE PEOPLE NEAR TO GOD, OR THE RELATIONSHIP INDICATED BY NEARNESS. 1. A legal nearness. "Made nigh by the blood of Christ." 2. A covenant relationship. A solemn mutual pledge, sealed at the Cross. 3. A filial relationship. Not more certainly will affection be felt in the heart of both parent and child among the families of men than in the "Abba Father" of the believing soul, and the tender pity of God's gracious bosom. 4. A mystical union between Christ and the soul. All His becomes yours, and yours becomes His. 5. Partakers of the Divine nature. II. THE PRIVILEGES OF THE PEOPLE NEAR TO GOD. What shall we say to that protection which this nearness ensures to your soul, seeing that the place of your defence shall be the munitions of rocks, that your bread shall be given you, and your water shall be sure? Jehovah is like a wall of fire about His people. What shall we say of that provision made for you in this wilderness, where every possible want of the body and the soul meets its full and perpetual supply in the riches of Divine goodness, which are all pledged to you by the love and faithfulness of your covenant God? What shall we say of the promises "exceeding great and precious," made to all collectively, and to one by one personally. What shall we say of providences, all arranged by wisdom which never errs, and love which never fails, and controlled by power that is never weary, so as most effectually to promote the salvation of your souls? III. THE TRANSFORMING EFFICACY OF THIS NEARNESS TO GOD. See how it will and must operate from principles necessarily at work. 1. There is the solemnity of your position. If God's nearness be fairly and fully recognized, if He be seen as He is, and you seen as you are, in the light of His purity, will you, can you, dare you be contented to remain in the corruption of nature? 2. There is admiration of God's character. Let His character be seen and felt as revealed in the way of pardoning sin by the Cross in infinite power and wisdom, holiness and truth, all displayed in sweet harmony and ineffable glory, while mercy casts her bright radiance over them all to assure the trembling sinner, and constrain him to draw nigh; then can you see all thee perfections engaged on the side of the sinner, engaged to sanctify and save his soul, and feel not a lofty admiration of the beauty of the Lord? 3. But admiration begets desire. If we feel admiration for any person, do we not wish to make him a friend? The moment that admiration of anything ceases, desire to have and enjoy it ceases too. But the beauty of the Lord is manifested to your faith just that you may feel the kindlings of desire to be His, and to be like Him in His loveliness. 4. But surely the soul that has such desires will frequently, solemnly, and closely commune with this infinitely lovely and blessed God. Such communion gives a consciousness of the reality of Divine things, and is fitted to stir you up and spur you on in the effort to become like your God. It thus necessarily leads to — 5. Imitation. This is the end of the process, imitation of "God manifest in the flesh." His Word will make you wise. His truth will render you truthful. His justice will move you to rectitude. His sovereignty will make and keep you lowly. His purity will lead you to holiness of heart. His mercy and pity will make you tender, and loving, and gentle. (John Walker.) Parallel Verses KJV: He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. |
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