Psalm 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone on the house top. A sad, a not unseldom, and often a salutary, condition this. For the soul, when thus left alone of men, retreats into the sure sweet shelter of the love of God. We are apt to think we can do very well without that; when the smiles and favour of our fellow men rest upon us. But unquestionably it is a sad and painful condition, however it may be caused. I. SO, OFTEN, THE SOUL SEEMS TO BE. The world says it: "God hath forsaken him; persecute him and take him." And the soul itself says the same: "Why art thou so far from me, O God?" It is a frequent complaint. Even our Lord knew this distress. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" But he was then, and all God's children were and are wrong; for God never forsakes his people (John 16:31, 32). They may think he does. II. SO, AT TIMES, IT WILL BE. But this is in regard to the world. The soul must "come out, and be separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17; cf. homily on Jeremiah 12:9, "The speckled bird," p. 325, vol. 1.). III. SO EVER IT MUST BE IN REGARD TO GOD IN THE WORLD. There can be no compromise. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.WEB: I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop. |
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