16 FEBRUARY (PREACHED 13 FEBRUARY 1774)
Hope in him
‘The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.’ Lamentations 3:24
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 130:1–8
Consider to whom he is a portion. Those who have the Lord for their portion are:
(i) humble. They have abasing thoughts of themselves, admiring thoughts of his grace and condescension. They say as Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 19:28.
(ii) spiritual. A carnal principle indeed still cleaves to them, but their prevailing desire is towards their portion.
(iii) obedient. A sense of his love constrains them; they acknowledge that they are not their own.
If so, does not the Word of God assure some of you that as yet you have no part or lot in this portion? What can the self-righteous, the worldly and the self-willed claim here? Which of us may not take up a lamentation and say, my leanness [Isaiah 24:16]? If we have the beginnings of these gracious principles, yet how weak and faint. However, there is a comfortable and safe conclusion. If the Lord is your portion, your desire, you may hope in him:
(i) for that renewed pardon you want.
(ii) for a clearer manifestation of your interest.
(ii) for increase of grace.
(iv) that he will not cast you off for ever.
FOR MEDITATION: [prompted by Betty Abraham’s death]
His person fixes all my love,
For him I count as gain each loss,
His blood removes my fear;
Disgrace, for him, renown;
And while he pleads for me above,
Well may I glory in his cross,
His arm preserves me here.
While he prepares my crown!
His word of promise is my food,
Let worldlings then indulge their boast,
His Spirit is my guide;
How much they gain or spend!
Thus daily is my strength renewed
Their joys must soon give up the ghost,
And all my wants supplied.
But mine shall know no end.
SERMON: LAMENTATIONS 3:24 [4/4] [FOR BETTY ABRAHAM’S FUNERAL]
