Psalm 72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually… I. THE GREATNESS OF HIS LIFE IS SEEN IN THE MAGNITUDE OF ITS INFLUENCE. 1. It is co-extensive with creation. Christ is to be the centre of universal attraction. Analogy, the greatness of the agencies employed, and the Word of God warrant the conclusion. 2. It is an abiding influence. "His name shall endure," etc. Men, emperors, come and go like baubles upon the stream; but Christ lives for ever! Time destroys not His power, but unfolds it. "He reigneth king for ever." 3. It is a blissful influence. "And men shall be blessed in Him." A worm may make many miserable; but it requires a God-like nature to enhance the happiness of one soul. The life of Christ fills creation with blessedness. This great Benefactor does this by destroying the sources of misery, and by calling into exercise every fountain of bliss in the soul. 4. It is reflectively glorious. "Daily shall He be praised." He is the grand object of universal admiration and love. II. THE GREATNESS OF HIS LIFE IS DEVELOPED THROUGH MEANS. What are the means? 1. Truth. The Gospel contains the great biography of Jesus, and this is .the mighty instrumentality. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ," etc. 2. Wealth. "To Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba." Ye men of wealth, remember that every piece of gold and silver ought to appear to you as if stamped with the image of the Son of God. 3. Prayer. III. THE GREATNESS OF HIS LIFE IS EXPERIENCED IN THE HEAVENWARD DIRECTION IT GIVES MANKIND. He makes men pray to and praise Him. "And daily shall He be praised." 1. Such persons owe their existence to Christ. "We are His workmanship." 2. Such persons are the finest specimens of human excellence. The highest types of character have always been found in men of earnest prayer. Abraham, Noah, Job, Daniel, Paul, and Christ all prayed. 3. Such men alone fully give scope to their faculties to honour Him. IV. THE GREATNESS OF HIS LIFE IS SEEN IN THE REALIZATION THROUGH ETERNITY OF HIS WORK ON EARTH. 1. He will live in all that relates to man on earth; in such things as institutions, literature, etc. His name will be emblazoned upon the page of every new work, and His life will be the standard of all institutions. 2. He will live in the affectionate remembrance of a redeemed people. 3. He will live as the expression of all excellence — love, benevolence, truth, justice, authority. 4. He will live as the centre of all attraction to the glorified Church. (J. H. Hill.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. |
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