334. JER 14:7. CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION

Jer_14:7. Confession and Supplication

"O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake, for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee."’97Jer_14:7.

A consciousness of our weakness and sinfulness is indispensable to our safety and well-being. It is of the utmost importance that we do not think better of our state than we ought to think; this is clearly exhibited in that passage of the epistle of John, "If we say that we have no sin," &c. The text presents to us language peculiarly appropriate, when our souls are humbled before God. Observe, there is,

I. Ingenious Confession.

"Our iniquities testify," &c.; "our backslidings are many," &c. Observe three sorts of evil are admitted.

1. Our iniquities testify against us.

Perhaps the term iniquity here, may mean our injustice, as the term primarily signifies. Who of God’s people have rendered all to God which he rightly claims? Who has rendered to all his fellow-creatures all that equity and benevolence demands? Who can stand before God’s holy law, without his iniquities testifying against him?

2. Our backslidings are many.

To backslide, is to go back from God and his ways. Now, there are both backslidings of heart and life; secret and public. To this, must we not all plead guilty? Have we not often drawn back in times when we should have trusted God, honored God, &c., &c.

3. We have sinned against him.

Violated positive commands; broken expressed injunctions against "Thee," the donor of all our blessings, God of mercy, Fountain of all our enjoyments. Observe in the text, II Supplication presented.

"Do thou it." "It," is in italics, so that the prayer is broken and unfinished; Perhaps would have been better, "Do thou for us," or "Do thou save." When sin is felt and confessed to God, we shall sincerely desire,

1. Divine pardon.

Do thou forgive and blot our sins out of thy book; hence, Christ taught us to pray, "forgive us." None but God can do this, and this must be done, or we cannot possibly be happy or safe. We shall also sincerely desire,

2. Divine grace.

Not only mercy for the past, but grace for the present, and every future time of need. Now, his grace only can give us power against evil, enable us to resist the wicked one, "without it we can do nothing." In the text we have,

III. A Plea by which the Supplication is urged.

"O Lord, for thy name’s sake."

1. His name is revealed to Moses. Exo_33:19, and Exo_34:7.

2. His name as manifested in Jesus.

Exo_23:21. The other is the broad and general ground. This is the especial and express way of access to the favor and love of God. He is the Mediator; his sacrifice the only ground of our hope. In and through him God can be just, &c.

Application

1. Let us often examine our state.

2. Daily confess our sins.

3. Constantly trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS