472. PSA 46:4. THE CITY OF GOD, WITH ITS RIVER AND GLADDENING STREAMS

Psa_46:4. The City Of God, With Its River And Gladdening Streams

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God."’97Psa_46:4

The text no doubt refers literally to Jerusalem, and the advantages derived from the river Kidron, with its streams. It must be manifest a river is of the very utmost importance to the health, and comfort, and prosperity of a city. None can dispute that the chief source of wealth and health to our metropolis is the river flowing through it. But the text is to be considered metaphorically in reference to the church of God Zion is one of the appellations commonly given to her. The apostle says of the New Testament church’97"Ye are come unto mount Zion," &c. The church is the holy city of God. Let us then consider,

I. The city of God.

Now the city of God, or the church, must be considered,

1. As to its inhabitants.

Of whom is it composed? Of the communion of the faithful believers, separated from the world and consecrated to God. By regeneration partakers of the divine nature. And by adoption invested into all the privileges and immunities of the spiritual Zion. All spiritual persons are inhabitants of this spiritual city.

2. As to its governor and head.

This is the Lord Jesus Christ. "He is head over all things," &c. The Father hath given all things into his hands. He is Lord of all. And he has no deputy, no vicegerent. He says to all who dwell in it, "One is your master," and all ye are brethren.

3. As to its laws and regulations.

These are exhibited in the city statute book,’97the living oracles of God. Now these relate to the admission of citizens; to the conduct of citizens towards the head, and towards all the brethren. They refer also to cases of offence and discipline. The New Testament is a perfect code of laws, here all our duty is fully and plainly revealed. Then,

4. As to the immunities and privileges of the city.

These are numerous, precious, sure, and everlasting. All the citizens are interested in the riches of the city. And these are infinite and exhaustless. They have a full supply from the stores of the city, and they supply all their need. They are beneath the protection and defence of the city. Angels are their guard, and God is their munition of rocks. No weapon formed against them can prosper. They are watched every moment. God keeps them as the apple of his eye, he holds them in the hollow of his hand. Then,

5. As to the dignified prospects of the citizens.

They are eligible to the greatest honors in this world and to unfading glories in the world to come. They have a title to immortality and eternal life Their flames are enrolled on high When they die, the) become denizens of the city of the new Jerusalem, the palace of the heavenly king. Notice then,

II. The river connected with this City.

Now this river is the love or favor of God. All the blessings of the church of God are derived from this source. See Psa_36:7-8; also Isa_33:21. Now the love and favor of God to his people may well be compared to a river.

1. Like a river it has its channel of communication.

The torrent may sweep over a district, but in doing so it is often destructive and soon subsides. But a river has its specific course and channel. Christ is the channel through whom all spiritual blessings are conveyed lo the soul. He is the depositary of all the blessings both of grace and glory. God in all things treats with us by Jesus Christ. In him all fulness dwells.

2. As a river it is distinguished for its freeness.

Cisterns may be private property. Rivers are for the common good of the country through which they flow. Love and grace of God are for the common good of the church, for all the inhabitants of the city of God.

3. As a river it is characterized for its overflowing abundance.

All created sources may be exhausted. But God’s infinite fulness cannot undergo diminution. The love of God cannot be bounded, it is illimitable. Its length, and height, and depth, and breadth, surpass all human understanding.

4. As a river it is noted for its constant perpetuity.

It is the same in all ages, in all dispensations. It is identical with the unchangeableness of God. His mercy is from everlasting, &c. His mercy endureth forever, &c. "This is the God whom we adore." Observe,

III. Its gladdening Streams, &c.

"The streams whereof make glad," &c.

1. There are streams of ordinances, and these make glad the city of God.

What is it that makes ordinances so de lightful,’97so refreshing? It is because they are the wells of salvation. There they see God’s beauty, and enjoy the beams of his smiling face. There they drink of the streams of salvation. Of the river of God. Hence said David, "I was glad," &c. "I had rather be a doorkeeper," &c.

2. There are streams of promise, and they make glad the city of God.

These are so many drafts on the bank of heaven, by which we often obtain a full supply from the riches of grace. How sweet and precious they are. How they support, and cheer, and sustain. All sure’97and all ours by faith in Christ Jesus.

3. Streams of divine influences, and these make glad the city of God.

God pours out his Spirit, as streams of water on the parched ground. As showers upon the mown grass. Now these influences quicken, cheer, revive, comfort, and sanctify. Fill with hope and joy unspeakable, &c.

Application

1. How honored and happy are the people of God.

2. Let us act worthy of our citizenship.

3. Invite those around to partake of our privileges and blessings.

LXIX.’97MINISTERS FISHERS OF MEN.

"I will make you fishers of men."’97Mat_4:19.

These words were addressed by Jesus to Simon Peter and to Andrew his brother. When Christ met with them they were following their occupation as fishermen, and he said unto them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Their cheerful, prompt obedience is then related,’97"And they straightway left their nets and followed him." Gospel ministers are fishers of men. Let us see,

I. The Appropriateness of the Figure.

Here several things are implied.

1. The world is the sea, the scene of their labors.

Its restlessness is employed to set forth the anxious, peaceless condition of the wicked. A fit emblem of our mutable, changing world. Its storms and dangers, indicative of the moral perils, and fearful dangers, to which in this wicked state man is exposed.

2. This sea is densely peopled with human beings.

As the sea contains a vast variety and great number of fish, so the world is full of human beings. The lowest computation, eight hundred millions, peopling it at the same period.

3. The world as a sea is the natural element of unrenewed men.

As the sea is the natural element of fishes. Ungodly, rebellious, unholy men, feel at home in a world bearing the same ungodly and rebellious features. Unrenewed men are of the world, worldly. They have its spirit, and they are its children.

4. Yet the world will be a sea of destruction to those who remain in it.

In it we are necessarily distant from God; from his likeness, favor, and salvation. And it is on account of the misery and danger of this state, that God has mercifully set on foot a blessed expedient, for rescuing immortal souls from the depth of its perdition.

5. The gospel is the net for the extrication of deathless souls from the sea of sin.

It is an instrument adapted to their condition, suited to their misery, and every way calculated to bring them to God, and the knowledge of his great salvation. It reveals their state; it exposes their danger; and it brings gracious help and deliverance unto them. It is full of argument and motive, and power: it is the grace of God bringing salvation.

6. But the gospel net must be employed.

It may be fit and suitable, but it must be cast into the sea. So the gospel must be preached; the word of salvation must be declared. And for this Peter and Andrew were called: and in this work they labored, and lived, and died. This is the work of the Christian minister, to preach the gospel to every creature within his sphere and reach. This will lead us to consider,

II. The Duty to be discharged.

1. This net must be employed.

It is God’s appointed remedy. To the eye of the carnal it may appear a foolish, ill adapted means; but nineteen centuries has proved it to be the "power of God to salvation."

2. It must be constantly and diligently employed.

Diligence and zeal do not necessarily suppose corresponding success. But generally as the rule they do so. An indolent, indifferent fisherman; cannot be expected to succeed, as the laborious, faithful, and persevering do.

3. This net only must be employed.

Other means may be useful as auxiliaries, but the gospel is God’s great and blessed remedy, for the restoration of sinners to himself. The gospel is the infinitely wise and merciful instrument for the deliverance of men from sin and the power of darkness. In the discharge of this duty,

(1) Constancy is necessary. The Christian minister must be "instant in season and out of season." In the morning and in the evening, not knowing which effort will prosper, this or that.

(2) Skill is necessary. The fisherman, taught by experience, adopts the most probable means of success. So must the Christian minister. He requires a large supply of knowledge and wisdom. He must be wise as a serpent, &c. So was the great apostle of the gentiles. Times, and seasons, and circumstances, must all be consulted.

(3) Perseverance is necessary. Often the fisherman may toil all night and take nothing. We cannot command success, but we can always be using God’s own means, in dependence on his divine blessing. We may just add, that some Christian fishermen are more successful than others. But all and every one ought to be solicitous for it, and labor and pray for it. To urge to faithfulness in this duty, we have, the preciousness of souls,’97the glory of God, and our own great and eternal reward, to influence us.

Application

1 Let the Christian fisherman rightly understand his net, and the appointed way of using it. What attention and study is requisite. Who is sufficient for it? What need of reading, contemplation, and prayer 2. Let success be the grand object of attention. Nothing can make up for lack of this. To be learned, or even highly personally pious, ought not to satisfy the faithful minister. He ought to ask, Are souls saved? Do I bring men out of the sea of sin? Where are the living saved proofs of my ministry?

3. Should not our hearts be cheerfully and devotedly in the work? Constrained by the love of Jesus and love to souls, we would freely sacrifice ease and comfort, and all things, that the glory of Christ might be promoted, and immortal being; rescued from the wrath to come.

4. Our resources are infinite and exhaustless. All the fulness and efficiency of divine grace are at our service.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS