more see the Lord. A good man wishes not to live for any other end than that he may serve God,
and have communion with him. Our present residence is like that of a shepherd in his hut, a poor,
mean, and cold lodging, and with a trust committed to our charge, as the shepherd has. Our days
are compared to the weaver's shuttle, Job 7:6, passing and repassing very swiftly, every throw
leaving a thread behind it; and when finished, the piece is cut off, taken out of the loom, and showed
to our Master to be judged of. A good man, when his life is cut off, his cares and fatigues are cut
off with it, and he rests from his labours. But our times are in God's hand; he has appointed what
shall be the length of the piece. When sick, we are very apt to calculate our time, but are still at
uncertainty. It should be more our care how we shall get safe to another world. And the more we
taste of the loving-kindness of God, the more will our hearts love him, and live to him. It was in
love to our poor perishing souls that Christ delivered them. The pardon does not make the sin not
to have been sin, but not to be punished as it deserves. It is pleasant to think of our recoveries from
sickness, when we see them flowing from the pardon of sin. Hezekiah's opportunity to glorify God
in this world, he made the business, and pleasure, and end of life. Being recovered, he resolves to
abound in praising and serving God. God's promises are not to do away, but to quicken and encourage
the use of means. Life and health are given that we may glorify God and do good.
Chapter 39
This chapter is the same as II Kin. 20:12-19.Chapter 40
The preaching of the gospel, and glad tidings of the coming of Christ. (Is. 40:1-11) The almighty
power of God. (Is. 40:12-17) The folly of idolatry. (Is. 40:18-26) Against unbelief. (Is. 40:27-31)
Is. 40:1-11 All human life is a warfare; the Christian life is the most so; but the struggle will
not last always. Troubles are removed in love, when sin is pardoned. In the great atonement of the
death of Christ, the mercy of God is exercised to the glory of his justice. In Christ, and his sufferings,
true penitents receive of the Lord's hand double for all their sins; for the satisfaction Christ made
by his death was of infinite value. The prophet had some reference to the return of the Jews from
Babylon. But this is a small event, compared with that pointed out by the Holy Ghost in the New
Testament, when John the Baptist proclaimed the approach of Christ. When eastern princes marched
through desert countries, ways were prepared for them, and hinderances removed. And may the
Lord prepare our hearts by the teaching of his word and the convictions of his Spirit, that high and
proud thoughts may be brought down, good desires planted, crooked and rugged tempers made
straight and softened, and every hinderance removed, that we may be ready for his will on earth,
and prepared for his heavenly kingdom. What are all that belongs to fallen man, or all that he does,
but as the grass and the flower thereof! And what will all the titles and possessions of a dying sinner