Part II: The Good Effects of Godliness
talk leave bad impressions in the mind.
2. As far as you are able, call your thoughts off from the world. If worldly thoughts come crowding into our mind—godly thoughts will be lost in the crowd!
3. Gel a love for God and his ways. One cannot but think—of that which he loves. "Does a young woman forget her jewelry?" (Jer.
2:32). When she has not her jewel on her ear—she will have it in her thoughts. A person deeply in love, cannot keep his thoughts off from the object he loves. The reason we think on God no more—is because we love him no more! Let there be but one spark of love to God—and it will fly upward in heavenly thoughts and prayers. By nature our hearts cannot be made to fix on God—but by love.
4. If you would think often on God, get a saving interest in him. "This God is our God!" (Psalm 48:14). We think most—upon that which is our own. If a man rides by beautiful houses and gardens, he casts his eyes slightly upon them. But let him have a house of his own—and his thoughts dwell in it. Why do men think no more of God—but because they and God are strangers? Let a man's interest in God be cleared—and he will not be able to keep his thoughts off from God.
Part II.
THE GREAT GAIN OF
GODLINESS
"Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord hearkened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his
name. "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my jewels. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." Malachi 3:16-18 A. The first of the good effects of the saints piety—is that God REGARDED it. "The Lord hearkened and heard." These blessed ones in the text were speaking and thinking of God—and he did not turn away his ear from them, as if he had not minded them.
But he hearkened and heard; which expression denotes both diligence and delight.
1. It notes the diligent heed God gave to these saints—he "hearkened". Here was attention of ear, and intentness of mind.
Hearkening is the gesture of one who intently listens to what another says.
2. God's hearkening shows the delight he took in the holy dialogues of these saints. He was pleased with them; they were to him as a sweet melody.
God takes special notice of the good which he sees in his people. The children of God may perhaps think that God does not regard them: "I cry unto you—and you do not hear me" (Job 30:20). The church complains that God shuts out her prayer (Lam. 3:8)—but though God is some times silent—he is not deaf! He takes notice of all the good services of his people: "The Lord hearkened and heard."
Why is it that God takes such notice of his people's services?
First, not from any merit in them—but the impulsive cause is his free grace! The best duties of the righteous, could not endure God's scales of justice—but God will display the trophies of his mercy. Free grace accepts—what stern justice would condemn!
Secondly, God's taking notice of the good in his people, is through Christ! "He has made us accepted—in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6). Or, as Chrysostom renders it, he has made us "favorites". Through a red glass everything appears of a red color. Just so, through Christ's blood, both our persons and duties appear ruddy and beautiful in God's eyes!
Thirdly, God takes notice of the services of his people—because they flow from the principle of grace. God regards the voice of faith: "O my dove ... let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice" (Song of Sol. 2:14). The services of the wicked are harsh and sour—but the godly give God the first-ripe cluster (Mic. 7:1), which grows from the sweet and pleasant root of grace.
First use: INFORMATION.
1. If God hearkens and hears, I infer from hence—God's OMNISCIENCE. How could he, being in heaven, hear what the saints speak and think—were he not omniscient? Through the bright mirror of his own essence he has a full knowlege of all things. He knows the intrigues of nations, and the stratagems of his enemies
(Exod. 14:24). Future contingencies fall within his cognizance.
God's knowledge is foundational. He is the original, pattern, and prototype of all knowledge. God's knowledge is instantaneous. He knows all at once! Our knowledge is successive, we know one thing after another, and argue from the effect to the cause; but all things are in God's view—in one entire prospect. God's knowledge is
infallible and not subject to mistake. Such is the infinity of his knowledge, that the apostle cries out in admiration, "O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Romans
11:33). The world is to God as a beehive of glass, where you see the working of the bees and the framing of their honey-combs. All things are unveiled to the eye of Jehovah! "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account!" Hebrews 4:13
2. See God's GOODNESS, who often passes by the failings of his people (Num. 23:21), and takes notice of the good in them.
"Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord" (1 Pet. 3:6). The Holy Spirit passes by Sarah's unbelief and laughing at the promise—and takes notice of her reverence to her husband; she called him Lord.
"You have heard of the patience of Job" (James 5:11). We have heard of his impatience, cursing his birthday—but the Lord does not upbraid him with that—but observes the good that was in him: "You have heard of the patience of Job". The painter who drew
Alexander's picture, drew him with his finger upon his scar. Just so, God puts a finger of mercy upon the scars of his children! He sees their faith—and turns a blind eye to their failings!
3. See God's differing dealings towards the godly and the wicked. If the godly think on his name, he hearkens and hears; but if the wicked meddle with religious duties, he turns away his ear. "He did not accept Cain and his offering" (Gen. 4:5). Suppose a man had a sweet breath—yet if he had the plague, nobody would come near him! Just so, though a sinner may give God many a sweet, elegant expression in prayer—yet, having the plague in his heart, God will not receive any offering from him! If God shuts men's prayers out of
heaven, it is a sad prognostic that he will shut their persons out of heaven.
4. See the privilege of the godly—they have God's ear! "The Lord hearkened and heard!" "His ears are open unto their cry!"
(Psalm 34:15). It would be counted a great happiness to have the king's ear. How astonishing is it to have God's ear! Believers have the Spirit of God breathing in them—and God cannot but hear the voice of his own Spirit.
5. See what an encouragement is here to be conversant in the duties of God's worship. God takes notice of the services of his people—he hearkens to them as to sweet music. Who would not come with their humble addresses to God—when he is so pleased with them (Prov. 15:8) Objection 1—But I deserve nothing.
Answer—God does not bestow his favors according to our desert— but according to his promise and grace.
Objection 2—But I have prayed a long time and have no answer.
Answer—God may hear prayer when he does not answer. He may lend us his ear—when he does not show us his face! The text says,
"the Lord hearkened and heard." It is not said he gave an answer— but he "hearkened". It befits suitors to wait. Faith waits upon God, patience waits for God. "Like a servant's eyes on his master's hand— so our eyes are on the Lord our God until He shows us favor." (Psalm
123:2).
6. See the difference between God and men. God takes notice of the good in his people; the wicked pass by the good in the godly—
and take notice only of their failings. If they can spy any impropriety or blemish in them, they upbraid them with it; like those children who reproached Elisha for his baldness—but took no notice of the prophet's miracles (2 Kings 2:23).
7. From the words, "the Lord hearkened and heard", take note of the folly of idolaters. They worship a God who can neither hearken nor hear! The Cretans pictured Jupiter without ears.
Idol gods have ears—but hear not (Psalm 115:6). A lifeless god is good enough for a lifeless worship.
Second use: EXHORTATION.
1. Let the people of God stand and wonder: a. Stand and wonder at God's CONDESCENSION, that he who is so high in the praises and acclamations of the angels—should stoop so low as to listen to the lispings of his children. "The Lord hearkened and heard!" Alas, God has no need of our services; he is infinitely blessed in reflecting upon the splendor of his own infinite being! We cannot add the least cubit to his essential glory: "If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand?" (Job 35:7). Yet such is his sweet condescension, that he does as it were, stoop below himself, and take notice of his peoples poor offerings. b. Stand and wonder at God's LOVE, that he should regard those services of his people, which are so mixed with corruption!
"Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags!" (Isaiah 64:6). The sacrifice of thanksgiving, which was the highest sacrifice, had some leaven mixed with it (Lev. 7:13). Our best duties have some leaven of imperfection mixed in them; yet such is God's love, that he receives and accepts them: "I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey"