Their wealth and wisdom, when they 're blessed, And grieve, despairing as the night, Because with earthly woes oppressed. But ye who send the word abroad, SERMON VI. THE REBUKE OF UNBELIEF AMIDST LUKE 12: 28, 29. Will he not much more clothe you— Oh ye of little faith? And seek not ye, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God. THE warrant to faith given by the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field is indeed beside the common path of life. At the junctures of our earthly blessings where we are tempted to the vain-hearted boast; "I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods: And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry; at the juncture of our earthly need, when we are tempted to ask, "What shall we eat, and what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed?" there are we met by the warrant of the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field, calling us to that faith on earth, whose end shall be the salvation of our souls. Blessed condition of humanity! Blessed subjection to vanity and frailty, that amidst the tossings of this mortal life, hope may anchor within the vail! As we walk abroad amidst the herbs and flowers and birds of summer, where are we, but in the open temple of the Lord, glowing, and sounding loud with the warrant to faith in God, "whose eyes are open unto the supplications of all his servants, to hearken unto them in all that they call upon him for?" that amidst ne cessities and blessings of our mortal state we may "bethink ourselves, and repent, and make supplication, and say we have sinned, and return unto God with all our heart and soul." In this open temple, urged by our own infirmities, we are called to enter into the holiest of all, by the blood of Jesus, through the vail flesh of our High Priest over the house of God, แ -- the who is "touched with the feelings of our infirmities," that we may come boldly to the throne of grace." On these low grounds of earth, occupied with its business, perplexed with its cares, oppressed with its burdens, wearied with its toils, anxious and disheartened amidst its pains and fears, lured by its promises, where are we but in the open temple of the Lord; at the holy place; near the mercy-seat and the blood of sprinkling; in presence of our High Priest and Intercessor, who is able" to save unto the uttermost ?" Here meet us the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field, not only to give the warrant to our faith, but to utter their sharp rebuke of our unbelief. 1. Our Lord's rebuke is urged by his own example along the paths of life. Who is this, we may ask, who rebukes us while he gives the warrant to our faith? It is the exalted Redeemer, calling us to follow his steps, when he trod the path of life, in our native weakness; - to follow the faith of his voluntary humiliation. Wonderful example! When the Son of God became the Son of man, he did not exalt our frail nature to the independence of the Godhead, but mysteriously condescended to the frailty and dependence of humanity. To all but sin he submitted-met the juncture of earthly necessities, as the opportunity for faith and "in the days of his flesh offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, and was heard in that he feared." The 31st Psalm may be received as a specimen of his prayer amidst the afflictions of his suffering humanity. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily. Be thou my strong Rock, and a house of defence to save me. For thou art my Rock and my Fortress; therefore for thy name's sake, lead me and guide me. Into thy hands I commit my spirit; for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." Wonderful example! When human nature, frail, feeble, was made sinless by its mysterious union with divinity, its perfection was faith. the Son of God took part of our infirmities, He offered up his prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears. When What are we, that we should refuse the faith, which a perfect humanity accepted to which the Deity subjected himself mysteriously? What are we, that we should claim the right of prayerlessness along the path of life, and refuse the privilege; of prayer which even IMMANUEL welcomed? What are we, that we should refuse the call of the meek and lowly Savior? "Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." "Pride was not made for man; the pride of prayerlessness, of self-sufficiency, and self-confidence along the path of life. No; not for a worm of the dust; for a vanity of vanities; for a helpless and self-ruined sinner. What then shall we say, in view of the sinless Son of man, of the Infinite Son of God, passing our path of infirmity, offering up prayers and supplications, marking all his way with strong crying and tears? Alas for us! Who can think of his imperfect faith, so mixed with self-confidence and distrust, without self-abhorrence? Alas for man for thee, for me alas for the prayerless man, who assumes to touch the meanest gift of God, in his own might and skill who refuses to accept all gifts proffered to his asking! Alas for us, now desponding because we have no power; now exulting because all power is ours; when our pattern, and our helper, the meek and lowly Savior passed our path with prayers and supplications! How is the prayerless man rebuked by the example of our Lord! Can you, dare you refuse "in everything with prayer and supplication, to let your requests be made known unto God?" Vain-hearted and desponding in that very nature in which the Son of God poured fourth prayers and supplications ! |