PSALM 119:4 You have commanded us to keep Your precepts
diligently.
We have seen the character of the Man of God. Let us mark
the authority of God, commanding him to a diligent obedience.
The very sight of the command is enough for him. He obeys
for the command's sake, however contrary it may be to his
own will. But has he any reason to complain of the yoke?
Even under the dispensation, which "genders unto bondage"
most encouraging were the obligations to obedience-"that it
may be well with them, and with their children forever." Much
more, then, we, under a dispensation of love, can never lack a motive for obedience! Let the daily mercies of Providence stir up the question-"What shall I render to the Lord?" Let the far richer mercies of grace produce "a living sacrifice" to be
"presented to the Lord." Let "the love of Christ constrain us."
Let the recollection of the "price with which we were bought,"
remind us of the Lord's property in us, and of our obligations
to "glorify Him in our body, and in our spirit, which are His."
Let us only "behold the Lamb of God;" let us hear His
wrestling supplications, His deserted cry, His expiring
agonies-the price of our redemption; and then let us ask
ourselves-Can we lack a motive? But what is the scriptural character of evangelical obedience?
It is the work of the Spirit, enabling us to "obey the truth." It is
the end of the purpose of God, who "has chosen us in Christ
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before Him in love." It is the only satisfactory
test of our profession.
Then let me begin my morning with the inquiry, "Lord, what
will You have me to do?" "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will
walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name." Let me
trade with all my talents for You: ever watchful, that I may be
employed in Your work; setting a guard upon my thoughts, my
lips, my tempers, my pursuits, that nothing may hinder, but
rather everything may help me, in keeping Your precepts
diligently.
But why do I ever find the precepts to be "grievous" to me? Is
it not that some indolence is indulged; or some "iniquity
regarded in my heart;" or some principle of unfaithfulness
divides my services with two masters, when I ought to be
"following the Lord fully?" Oh! for the spirit of "simplicity and
godly sincerity" in the precepts of God. Oh! for that warm and
constant love, which is the main-spring of devoted diligence in
the service of God. Oh! for a larger supply of that "wisdom
which is from above," and which is "without partiality and
