p. 633 | The Sabbath-School by William N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 21, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 40.

The Sabbath-School.

By William N. Glenn

Notes on the International Lesson.

DAVID'S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.

THE previous portion of the chapter recites that, after many years of warfare, the Lord had given David "rest round about from all his enemies;" that David made known to Nathan the prophet his desire to build a house for the ark of God; that the Lord reminded David that he had not required a house at the hands of Israel in all the years that he had walked with them; also that David had been taken "from the sheep-cote and from following the sheep" to be ruler over the people. And furthermore, the gracious promises of the permanent establishment of the kingdom with the house of David, and that his son should build a house for the Lord, were also vouchsafed to the king.

THESE are the considerations that call forth the gratitude of the king, and cause him to exclaim (verse 18), "Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" A candid contemplation of the goodness and mercy of God will never fail to arouse feelings of gratitude. It is not necessary for one to have been promoted from a shepherd to a king, to find occasion for such an expression as this, here recorded of the psalmist. The individual who realizes no earthly promotion from the lowliest sphere of life may reflect upon his possible elevation from condemnation, to an eternal life in the kingdom of heaven—all through the undeserved mercy of God. The word of God and the guidance of his Spirit are sufficient to keep these things impressed upon the mind.

VERSE 19: "And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come." Great as had been the temporal honors bestowed upon David thus far, the greatest was yet future. The promise was to establish his throne forever (verse 16), and that included the reign of the Messiah, of whom the angel said to Mary: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:32, 33. The lesson teaches that though one may attain the highest possible position in this world, it is "a small thing" compared with the future blessings comprehended in the promises of God to the faithful servant.

"AND is this the manner of man, O Lord God?" 2 Sam. 7:19, last clause. No, indeed, it is not; it is the manner of none but God. These promises and their fulfillment were based on the sacrifice of the Son of God. The highest possible ideal of human magnanimity is thus expressed by Inspiration: "Peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die." Now mark the contrast: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. Here is the "mystery of godliness." Verily it is not the manner of man, but of a long-suffering God, whose mercy endureth forever.

"FOR thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things." 2 Sam. 7:21. How great is God's regard for his word! What long patience he has exercised toward his wayward servants, and what "contradiction of sinners" he has endured that his word should not be broken. The unfailing integrity of his word has been so perfectly demonstrated that we are warranted in giving it our unflinching confidence, though it make "every man a liar." It was upon the infallibility of God's word that David stayed his faith in the promises.

THE unconverted man cannot understand this immovable firmness. He will see, whether he be a professor of religion or not, many apparently plausible excuses for deviation; and, strange to say, he will imagine that God will overlook it. "Thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thyself." Even the backslidden prophet Balaam was constrained to confess, even in the face of a coveted reward for proving otherwise, "God is not man that he should lie." Num. 23:19. And a like testimony is found in 1 Sam. 15:29.

IN addressing his Father, Jesus said, "Thy word is truth." Here is the basis of truth, and whatever does not agree with this standard is consequently false. And David says (Ps. 119:151), "All thy commandments are truth." And again, the psalmist says (Ps. 111:7, 8): "All his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever." Both these scriptures refer directly to the law of ten commandments, yet men believe and teach that the law has been changed; yea, that it has been utterly abolished. And the immutability of both the law and the word spoken through the prophets is emphatically set forth by the Saviour, in the declaration that he came not to destroy them, and that, till heaven and earth pass, not "one jot or one tittle" should pass from the law. It was this unalterable nature of the law, which man had violated, that made it necessary for Christ to suffer its penalty in man's stead, in order that he might obtain pardon. The broken law must be satisfied in order that the honor of God's government should be vindicated.

"SIN is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. "The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23. "But the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."—Ib. "Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Chap. 5:12. And the only hope of eternal life is through implicit faith in Christ, the Son of David, of whom we learn in the unfailing word. W. N. GLENN.