The scorn and reproach which the world cast upon God's commandments ?

Posted : 15 Jul, 2013 02:15 AM

Psalm 119:127 Therefore I love Your commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold.





Therefore I love Your commandments. Yes-shall they not

have double valuation in my eyes, for the scorn and reproach

which the world cast upon them? They count them dross-I

love them above gold-yes, above fine gold. This hope,

confidence, and idol of the worldling, the love of which has

been the ruin of thousands-is not the commandment of God

more to be desired than it? "The merchandise of it is better

than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine

gold. It is more precious than rubies and all the things you can

desire are not to be compared unto it." Here has the Lord

unlocked to us His golden treasure, and enriched our souls

with "the unsearchable riches of Christ."

This image brings the miser before us. His heart and treasure

are in his gold. With what delight he counts it! with what

watchfulness he keeps it! hiding it in safe custody, lest he

should be despoiled of that which is dearer to him than life.

Such should Christians be: spiritual misers: counting their

treasure, which is above fine gold; and "hiding it in their

heart," in safe keeping, where the great despoiler shall not be

able to reach it. Oh, Christians! how much more is your

portion to you than the miser's treasure! Hide it; watch it;

retain it. You need not be afraid of covetousness in spiritual

things: rather "covet earnestly" to increase your store; and by

living upon it, and living in it, it will grow richer in extent, and

more precious in value.

But have I through Divine grace been enabled to withdraw my

love from the unworthy objects which once possessed it: and

to fix it on that which alone offers satisfaction? Let me attempt

to give a reason to myself of the high estimation in which I

hold it, as infinitely transcending those things, which the world

venture their all-even their temporal happiness-to obtain.

Therefore I love the commandments of God above gold: yes, above fine gold-because, while the world and my own heart

have only combined to flatter me, they have discovered to me

my real state, as a self-deceived, guilty, defiled sinner before

God: because they have been as a "schoolmaster to bring me

to Christ"-the only remedy for sin, the only rest for my soul. I

love them; because they have often supplied wholesome

reproofs in my wanderings, and plain directions in my

perplexity. I love them; because they restrict me from that

which would prove my certain ruin; and because in the way of

obedience to them the Lord has "accepted me with my sweet

savor." Should I not love them? Can gold, yes, fine gold, offer

to me blessings such as these? Can it heal my broken heart?

Can it give relief to my wounded spirit? Has it any peace or

prospect of comfort for me on my death-bed? And what

cannot-what has not-what will not-the precious word of God

do at that awful season of trial? O my God, I would be deeply

ashamed, that I love Your commandments so coldly-that they

are so little influential upon my conduct-that they so often give

place to objects of comparative nothingness in Your sight. O

that my heart might be wholly and habitually exercised in

them, that I may find the "work of righteousness to be peace,

and the effect of righteousness, quietness, and assurance

forever!"



by

Charles Bridges

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