Psalm 31:19 Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for them that fear you… Many years ago the ambassador of Spain, then the wealthiest country in Europe, once visited the court of Venice to arrange a treaty. One of the chief men of the palace led the Spanish ambassador to seethe sights, and amongst others took him to the treasury — huge coffers filled with heaps of gold and precious stones. The Spaniard asked for a staff; and thrust it down amongst the coins. The Venetian prince said, "Why are you doing that?" The ambassador replied, "I want to see if there be any bottom here! Ah, there is a bottom! But, O prince, there is no bottom to the treasures of my king!" — alluding to the gold and silver mines which then belonged to Spain. So, we say, there is an everlasting fulness in the treasury of God's goodness. His promises are always sure; His words are ever reliable; His goodness reaches to all. I. Notice THE OVERFLOWING GOODNESS OF GOD IN HIS FAVOUR TOWARDS MEN. Some will only show favour to their friends. But God has no line of exclusion. Standing before all men, He says, "I am the Friend of all." I think it is Mr. Goldwin Smith that says, "Society is formed of many circles. In the outermost ring, a man hangs on to the coat tails of the other above him, while he holds on to somebody else's coat tails higher still, until in the most exclusive circle sits the king." But with God and angels and perfect men there is world-wide friendship. God communes with every soul; and though we are the poorest outcast, we are within the circle of the loved ones for whom Jesus died. With God, there is no special favouritism. II. REMEMBER THE GREATNESS OF HIS FORGIVENESS. See the miracle on the sick of the palsy, and the words Christ spoke to him. If men knew the infinite compassion and love of God, they would starve to death or be burned alive rather than grieve Him by sin. III. COMFORT YOURSELVES WITH THE GOODNESS OF HIS POWER. To the most enslaved of Satan's captives, the fallen, the drunkard, He will give power to resist sin. There was said — not falsely — to be a reserve in the City of Glasgow bank. It only existed on paper. But there is a reserve, inexhaustible, in God's goodness. When you were born lie gave to you the fortune of everlasting love; and that fortune is "laid up" for you. The prodigal thought he had spent all in the "far country," but he found an ocean of love still flowing in his father's heart. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! |
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