2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth… I. ALL THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IS FOR THE GLORIFYING HIS GRACE IN CHRIST (Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23). II. GOD HATH GIVEN THE POWER OF PROVIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION OF THINGS TO CHRIST, FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH. III. GOD IN THE CHURCH DISCOVERS THE GLORY OF ALL HIS ATTRIBUTES. What wisdom, power, sufficiency, grace, and kindness He hath is principally for them. IV. THERE IS A PECULIAR RELATION OF GOD IN CHRIST TO THE CHURCH, UPON WHICH ACCOUNT THIS DOCTRINE MUST NEEDS BE TRUE. God is a father to provide for them (Isaiah 64:8); a mother to suckle them (Isaiah 49:15); Christ is a husband to love and protect them (Ephesians 5:29); a brother to counsel them (John 20:17). V. THE WHOLE INTEREST OF GOD IN THE WORLD, LIES IN HIS CHURCH AND PEOPLE. VI. IT CANNOT BE BUT ALL THE PROVIDENCES OF GOD SHALL WORK TO THE GOOD OF HIS CHURCH, IF WE CONSIDER THE AFFECTIONS OF GOD. 1. His love. 2. His delight (Zephaniah 3:17). VII. THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN HIS CHURCH WILL MAKE ALL PROVIDENCES TEND TO THE GOOD OF IT. VIII. THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH HAVE A MIGHTY FORCE WITH GOD TO THIS END; because — 1. God delights in the prayers of His people. 2. Prayer is nothing else but a pleading of God's promises. 3. They are the united supplications and pleadings both in heaven and earth. (1) Christ intercedes for the Church. (2) Angels in all probability do the same. (3) Glorified saints are not surely behind.Use I. For information. 1. God will always have a Church in the world. 2. God will, in the greatest exigencies, find out means for the protection of His Church. 3. The Church shall, in the end, prove victorious against all its adversaries, or Providence must miss its aim. 4. The interest of nations is to bear a respect to the Church, and countenance the worship of God in it. 5. We may see hence the ground of most of the judgments in the world. 6. What esteem, then, should there be of the godly in the world! 7. It is, then, a very foolish thing for any to contend against the welfare of God's people.Use II. For comfort. 1. In duties and special services. 2. In meanness and lowness. 3. In the greatest judgments upon others. 4. In His people's greatest extremities (Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 91:4; John 6:17, 18). 5. In fear of wants. 6. In the low estate of the Church at any time.Use III. If the providence of God is chiefly designed for the good of the Church — 1. Fear not the enemies of the Church. 2. Censure not God in His dark providences. 3. Inquire into providence and interpret all public providences by this rule. 4. Consider the former providences God hath wrought for the Church in past ages. 5. Act faith in God's providences. 6. Wait upon God in His providence. 7. Pray for the Church. 8. When you receive any mercy for the Church in answer to prayer give God the glory of it. 9. Imitate God in His affection to the Church. 10. Look after sincerity before God. (S. Charnock, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. |
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