500. 1SA 2:30. HONORING GOD, DIVINELY HONORED

1Sa_2:30. Honoring God, Divinely Honored

(DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG PERSONS)

"For them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."’971Sa_2:30.

God has inseparably connected holiness with happiness,’97religion with our best interests. Sin is a service which produceth the fruit of shame and misery. Piety is productive of joy unspeakable and full of glory. "Godliness," saith the apostle, "is profitable unto all things," &c. "The way of transgressors is hard," and the wages of sin, death; but "the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Such is the spirit of the text. God says, "Them that honor me, I will honor," &c. In what way we inquire,

I. Can we honor God?

To honor is to respect, to revere, to worship, exalt, or serve Now we should honor God,

1. By sacred reference for his holy name.

"Hallowed be thy name." It is a glorious name,’97a great and terrible name; never to be used lightly; not to be intermixed with common conversation,’97not pronounced without awe. Sir Isaac Newton never, it is said, pronounced it without a solemn pause. Angels pronounce it with sublime emotions of veneration.

2. By a constant regard to his sacred laws.

God is our lawgiver, he has revealed his will, and his will is obligatory and binding. These laws are wise, just, and good. The basis of all acceptable obedience is faith in his Son. See Joh_6:29. God’s great commandment to us is, to receive his Son, as our Saviour and hope, and to honor him even as we honor the Father. Thus only do we obtain grace, by which we can serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Now just as a child honors its parents by obedient regard for their commands; and as the subject, the sovereign by loyal obedience,’97so we honor God by having respect to all his commandments.

3. By a regular attendance on his public worship.

God is exalted in his sanctuary; here his glory is proclaimed,’97his praises sung, his word revered. God delighteth in these assemblies. "He loveth the gates of Zion better than all the dwellings of Jacob." Now a devoted attachment, evinced by regular attendance, honors God.

4. By an avowal of religion before men.

"If any man will be my disciple," &c. Thus did Moses. Thus did Daniel, and the three Hebrews; and thus did the apostles. Not to attempt secrecy like Nicodemus, either from shame or fear.

5. By an entire consecration of all we are and have to his glory.

The glory of God is the great end of the Christian’s life. It was so in Christ’s life, and must be so in ours. Hence he requires that we consecrate ourselves,’97our persons,’97our talents,’97our wealth,’97our influence,’97in one word’97our all.

6. By unswerving adherence to the truth wad service of God Not to swerve in prosperity, nor in poverty; in health or sickness,’97in life or death. Enduring to the end,’97being faithful unto death, &c. We now ask,

II. How will God honor us?

He will do so he has said it, explicitly and clearly,

1. By conferring the most distinguished titles.

In this way monarchs express their approbation, &c. Now when the sinner yields himself to God, he loses all the appellations of sin and misery which were upon him. Once a sinner, now a saint; a rebel, now a loyal subject; an enemy, now a child;’97they are princes and priests unto God.

2. By bestowing especial marks of his favor.

He will give evidence of his love, Joh_14:23. Confer peace and joy, &c. Allow access to him at all times.

3. He will make you a blessing to others.

"I will bless," &c. See how he honored Joseph in every station. Daniel. The three Hebrews. He will bless the work of our hands.

4. By giving comfort and support in affliction and death.

To exult in prospect of dissolution. Then to have his rod and staff in the dark valley. Visions of glory as Stephen. His arms upholding while the tabernacle is being taken down. When flesh and heart fail, and when death appears, to send a convoy of angels as to Lazarus.

5. By publicly confessing and rewarding you at the last day.

Christ the judge has said that he will confess such before his father, and the holy angels. Pronounce the "well done good and faithful servants," &c. Place the sparkling diadem on the brow of his faithful servants, and give them a glorious admission into his everlasting kingdom.

Application

1. How many present live to honor God? Do you so entirely, devotedly, fully? Is it your meat and drink to do his will? Public, domestic, and private labors. In all things.

2. Let such rejoice in the truth the text expresses. Well may you bear present adversity, scorn, persecution, suffering. &c. "The suffering of the present time is not worthy to be compared with," &c.

3. How many dishonor God Despite him in his Son, gospel, day, ordinances, &c. Think of the consequences! What might they have been now, but for his mercy and long-suffering. Oh think,’97pause’97consider,’97repent,’97and seek his grace.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS