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the absence of what we once possessed -the soul having suffered eclipse by the dark, cold shadow of earthliness and sin resting upon it; but there is also the vague impression of what might have been! We never know what we lose by one single dereliction of duty.

2. It involves a loss of profitable instruction.

This we infer from the preceding verse. There is a close connection between obedience and growth in sound and useful knowledge (H. E. I. 3153-3154). Who, then, can estimate the loss incurred by repeated disobedience? Lofty and expansive views of the character and works of God, views of Christian duty from the clearest standpoint, glimpses of the glorious possibilities of Christian enjoyment, the remodelling or the rejection of opinious that have led into grievous and fatal errors—all are for ever lost by a pertinacious refusal to hearken to the Divine commandments. Nor is this the worst. We have brought darkness into our minds, hardness and apathy into our hearts, fear and uncertainty into our prospects, and bitterness into our experience.

3. It involves a loss of wise and infallible guidance. This we also learn from the preceding verse. Who can estimate the misery occasioned by the loss of that guidance, and the consequent prostitution to base and ignoble purposes of the rarest talent, the wreck of innocence and virtue, of youth and beauty and power, the withering of fondly cherished hopes, the blighting of domestic and individual life?

ness.

4. It involves a loss of personal happi"Then had thy peace been as a river" or the river-referring to the Euphrates, the largest and most important of all the rivers of Western Asia. To an Oriental mind this noble river would vividly represent the deep, clear, and abundant peace which flows in the heart of that man whose ways please the Lord. Peace with God is the only source of permanent happiIts possession is conditioned on the obedience of faith (Rom. v. 1, 2). What a loss, when peace is gone

ness.

and happiness takes wing! (H. E. I. 2828).

5. It involves a loss of character. "Then had thy righteousness been as the waves of the sea." Character is a compound, of many separate elements -the outcome of many conflicting influences; but that which gives it lustre, dignity, and worth, is righteousness. As man lives in harmony with the laws of God, his righteousness is "as the waves of the sea." The waves of the sea are attractive, exhibiting in their ceaseless movements ten thousand forms of wondrous beauty; imposing, as they heap themselves in mountainous billows and march as with conscious majesty along the pathways of the mighty deep; irresistible in power. Most forcibly do they symbolise the beauty, majesty, and power of that character which is based in righteousness and moulded in harmony with the Divine commandments. There is something ineffably potent in the influence of a holy life (H.E.I. 1089-1095). It checks the froward, rebukes the obstinate, lures the penitent from the haunts of sin, and conducts to the way of righteousness. Every act of disobedience is a loss, not only to the individual, but to the whole community.

II. DISOBEDIENCE IN ITS DIVINE ASPECT.

1. It calls forth the expression of Divine regret. "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments!" What a cry is this!-the Deity lamenting the fate of those who have lost their all by disobedience to His commandments (see Luke xix. 41, 42).

2. The expression of Divine regret becomes profoundly suggestive when we reflect that disobedience frustrates the Divine purpose regarding the happiness of the race. The gracious purpose of God is to save man: His heart hungers for the love of redeemed humanity. Every act of disobedience insults the Divine love, spurns His mercy, and delays the work of emancipating and elevating the entire race.

3. The expression of Divine regret becomes profoundly suggestive rhea we

reflect that God only can aright estimate the present loss which disobedience entails.

4. The expression of Divine regret becomes still more profoundly suggestive when we reflect that God only knows the terribleness of the misery to which the disobedient must be consigned. The being God created to bless and exalt, He is obliged, in justification of His own. righteousness, to punish (H. E. I. 2177, 2183); and the recollection of the Divine beneficence in the past will only augment the woe to which the soul is doomed for ever.

Do not think, O sinner! that your transgressions are unnoticed, or that you are the only one affected by them; they cannot be regarded with indifference by a just and beneficent God. And if you will persist in your disobedience, breaking through all restrictions, and spurning all help-if you will court ruin and voluntarily surrender yourself to the tormentor-He who has done all He consistently can to recall you to obedience, resolves you shall not perish unlamented; and as you drop into the abysmal depths of unutterable woe the voice of Infinite Pity exclaims, in tones which, though not intended to do so, can only sharpen the stings of remorse: "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea!"-G. Barlow, in The Study and Pulpit (1877), pp. 57–60.

"Godliness is profitable unto all things."

I. God hath given us commandments. 1. Authoritative. 2. Perspicuous in their style (Hab. ii. 2; Prov. viii. 8, 9; 2 Tim. iii. 15). 3. Universal in their application. 4. Reasonable in their claims.

II. God's commandments deserve attention. 1. They should be read. 2. Understood. 3. Remembered. 4. Practised.

III. Attention to God's commandments produces the happiest results. 1. The nature of that tranquillity which the people of God enjoy. 2. Its perpetuity (Isa. xxvi. 3, lxvi. 12). 3. Its increase. 4. "My righteousness," &c., may refer to the justice of the cause in which Israel was engaged; and had they hearkened to God's commandments, they would have borne down all opposi tion, like the waves of the sea, which no might nor power can withstand.

IV. The people of Israel were inattentive to God's commandments. They had not hearkened (2 Chron. xxxvi. 15, 16; Ps. lxxxi. 11). This conduct was-1. Ungrateful. 2. Rebellious. 3. Unnatural. 4. Ruinous.

Learn: 1. That attention to God's commandments is a highly important duty. 2. Where they are disregarded, peace is forfeited (Isa. xlviii. 22, lvii. 20). 3. That God most compassionately commiserates the circumstances of His creatures. 4. That man's final ruin is wholly of himself.-Sketches of Sermons, vol. ii. pp. 299-303.

THE RIVER AN IMAGE OF PEACE.

xlviii. 18. O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river.

The images of this verse are images of national life; the peace, i.e., the outward prosperity of the people, shall flow like a river; the righteousness of the united people shall be like the forceful, restless energy of the sea waves. There is a peace which is the fruit of Christian faith; and it is of peace in this regard that we are to see the image in the river. What are the characteristics of Christian peace? What

answer to this question does the river afford us?

I. The image sets before us a peace which is the expression of life and power. The life of a full and flowing river is not like that of a shallow stream; we find in it neither suggestion of feebleness nor stagnation, as in the marshy pool. The latter is still-so still, it is ghastly. The Christian is called to peace, but he is called to life more

absolutely than to peace; the peace he is to realise is that, not of deathly calm, but of full, healthful life. The peace is as a river-not the babbling mountain stream; but the broad, deep, majestic river, that has gathered the shallow streams. The perfect restfulness of the broad flowing river is the outcome of power. Peace is fruitage of power-we can only reach peace by power. Faith must become firm and resolute. The great commandment cannot be fulfilled by irresolute will and feeble energy (Matt. xxii. 37, 38). "The peace of God"-why is that so perfect? Because in Him there is such perfectness of power, such force and fulness of character. There is a peace which comes by pardon that is very sweet (Matt. xi. 28; Luke vii. 50). But there is another peace, a peace which flows out of life's conduct

-and that is the rest which is like the peace of the river (Matt. xi. 29). The rest of pardon is given-"I will give you rest;" the rest of obedience is found, "Ye shall find rest to your souls." Forgiveness is a word of welcome, yet is it also a call to duty. Through the Christ-like life we come to the Christ-like peace.

II. The image of the text is expressive of healthful influence. The river's life is one of ministry. Where the deep rivers flow, there are the rich valleys; "the still waters" make the 66 green pastures." The river does not live unto itself. The Christian's peace is not an idle reverie. We have not to seek peace, but life-a life of healthful influence, and we shall surely find peace. We cannot sever our peace from a life consecrated to service, if that peace is to be as a river (Phil. ii. 4; P. D. 2680).

III. The image of the text is expressive of progress and perpetuity. The river flows to the sea-finding no rest, nor seeking it in stagnant idleness, for it has a more perfect rest in its ceaseless progress. The Christian's peace is to progress-grow deeper, fuller with a progressive life. We are called to movement, the forward movement of the river. The progress of

the river is perpetual. It is not a progress in spasms of energy. would not have with such a movement

It

a prevailing peace. Such energy is impulsive passion, fretful restlessness. This image of a Christian's peace is a far-off ideal; and yet, if Christian character has any fulness, Christian experience any depth, we should realise peace with an almost unbroken constancy; we should have beneath outward conflict inward calm (John xvi. 33, P. D. 2673).

IV. The image of the text is expressive of pleasantness. The peace of the flowing river is not dull and wearisome-it pervades a fresh, bright, and changeful movement. The Christian's peace is to be like the flowing, radiant waters of the river, not the still waters of a shadowed well, Peace and joy, joy and peace: these must flow together in Christian experience, bound together in a sacred wedlock. Rest in the Lord and be thankful, and your peace shall flow like a river (P. D. 2669).

CONCLUSION. The peaceful life is dependent on obedience to God's commandments"Hearken," &c. The Lord is saying to you, "Give me your heart, love Me, trust Me; be at peace with Me, and My peace shall be yours."

"Rest, and hope, and glory,

Are found at Jesus' feet."

Look into His face, hear His words, sit at His feet, abide in His love; do whatsoever He commands you, and your peace shall flow like a river.W. Steadman Davis: Christian World Pulpit, vol. iv. pp. 152–154.

How touching is the appeal of the Lord to His rebellious people! What a revelation does it give us at once of the ingratitude and folly of their disobedience, and of the greatness of His love! Consider now the first of the two figures under which the results of obedience to God's commands are set forth: "Then had thy peace been as a river."

"The Lord will bless His people

with peace." A blessing indeed! Without it there can be no real happiness. There is a peace which the world has to offer. But it cannot be trusted, it will not last. It is like the opiate which for a short while enables the sufferer to forget his pain, but for a short while only! It is like the tempting calm over the face of the sea, so smooth that only a ripple appears; but soon the calm will disappear, and the storm imperil the unwary mariner. Do you wish for true peace? See how God instructs you. "O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river." It is in obedience to God's commands, and especially to the great Gospel command, that peace can be found (John vi. 28, 29; Rom. xv. 13).

Observe the comparison made use of. Peace as a river.

1. We can imagine the broad and noble river winding its course down to the sea; but let us trace it up to its source. What shall we see there? Probably on a mountain-side a spring -the fountain-partly concealed from view. It might be passed without notice by many a traveller, and yet this is the origin of the wide river, with its deep, ever-flowing waters. Whence comes the river of the Christian's peace Trace it up to its source, and what find we? The fountain ever open, ever fresh, of the Saviour's atoning blood! Here, and here alone, is peace to be found (H. E. I., 13211324).

2. Having found the source of the river on the mountain-side, we do not see at once what we find farther down-the deep, wide stream, with sure and ceaseless course hastening on towards the sea. No, we find the streamlet, with but little depth of water, gushing down with impetuous force and noise, ever meeting in its bed with stones and rocks which seem to try to arrest its progress, but in vain. They stay the current but for a moment, and then it bursts over and around them with strength increased by the interruption. By and by

the stream runs more smoothly and steadily; the water becomes deeper; and though the obstacles in the bed of the river still exist, yet they are less noticed, and have less and less power to interrupt its course. There is less noise, but a more even, constant flow. Does not this aptly represent the experience of many a Christian?

3. The waters of the river become deeper and broader, because they are fed in many ways, and thus increase their volume. Other streams flow into it, and there is, too, the rain direct from heaven. These help to swell the river, and to give additional depth and force. So the Christian's peace needs a continually fresh supply, that it may deepen and widen, and be less interrupted in its course. It is continually fed by the direct outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and by the many and various means of grace. You who enjoy some measure of this peace, would you have it increased? Resort more constantly to the channels which Christ makes use of, for the impartation of His grace-the Word, communion with Christ by prayer in private and in public, and by the feast of His love; and be more watchful and prayerful in hearkening to and obeying all God's commands. more implicitly you obey, the more. entirely the rebellious will is brought under and subdued, the more strongly and quietly will the river of your peace flow.

The

4. Where rivers flow, we find the country fruitful; but where water is not found, there is barrenness. Those Christians with whom the river of peace is flowing the most steadily and smoothly, will be found the most fruitful in good works to the praise and glory of God. It is far otherwise with those who are continually distracted with doubts and fears.

5. The noblest rivers become deeper, wider, stronger, until they enter the vast ocean. So the Christian's peace, received from Christ, and fed uninterruptedly by the Holy Spirit, at death expands into participation in the peace and joy which

are in the presence of the Lord for

ever!

Would you know for yourselves this present peace, this future joy Remember, you must first hearkenhearken now-to the commands of God, lest when the opportunity shall have passed beyond recall, God should say of thee, and thou shouldest seem to hear it, "O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments ! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea."

"Oh for the peace that floweth like a river, Making life's desert places bloom and smile;

Oh for the faith to grasp Heaven's bright 'for ever,'

Amid the shadows of earth's 'little while!""

-J. H. Holford, M.A.: A Memorial Volume of Sermons, pp. 1–13.

The figure conveys three ideas :1. Constancy. A river is, in most cases, a permanent thing. Not like an occasional torrent which rushes down from the mountain to-day and disappears to-morrow, nor like a lake which the rains have formed, but which will dry up when the rains are over. A river flows on day after day, year after year, deeper at one time than another, and more rapid and wide, yet never exhausted, rolling on the same throughout all generations. So that peace of which this text speaks is a permanent, established thing. As long as the believer hearkens to God's commandments, it reigns over his soul, and keeps it, if not in an unbroken, yet in an abiding calm. Not that the state of his mind is always the same. Trace a river from its source to its mouth, and there is generally an almost endless variety in its course and appearance. It is now half hidden in a narrow channel among mountains and forests, and now spread over a wide bed, conspicuous in the plain; and then again, it is seen contracting and deepening itself and moving onwards with tenfold

The Chris

velocity and strength. tian's peace seems to vary as much. It sometimes nearly disappears; the man himself perhaps thinks it quite gone. But he is never wholly without it, while walking in the path of God's commandments, and never will be.

2. Abundance. The Christian's peace, it says, shall not enter his soul by drops, or flow through it as a scanty and shallow rivulet. There shall be a tide of peace, a wide and deep stream of it, passing into his soul. The waters shall be deep as well as broad (ch. xxvi. 3; Ps. cxix. 165; Phil. iv. 7). We cannot tell how peaceful God can make There is abundance of peace for us, for there is God's own peace for us! We often wish for the peace of this Christian friend, or the quiet of that Christian neighbour. But Christ says to us, 66 My peace I give unto you-a calmness like My own!" (P. D. 2666).

us.

3. Increase. A river is not formed at once. At first it is generally a mere thread of water, scarcely perceptible through the grass and rushes among which it is running. But, as it flows on, other streams fall into it; it widens and deepens; the farther it flows the more enlarged it becomes, till it loses itself at last in the depths of the ocean. There is not much peace in the sinner's heart, when his attention is first fixed on God's commands; no, not even when he hopes he has found pardon in Christ for his transgressions of them. There is sometimes a good deal of joy at such seasons-it would be strange if there were not; but there is not what he himself, at a later period of his course, would call peace. True, solid peace is generally at first small; it is hardly perceptible amid the fears and perplexities with which the soul has to struggle; but as the soul goes on listening to the Divine commandments, applying to the Saviour for pardon and to the Comforter for strength, and gradually becoming moulded more and more into the Divine image, peace flows into it in a more copious stream, the sources of peace are multiplied, and the soul's capacity to receive and hold

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