Deuteronomy 33:13-17 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew… Happy is the mall who aspires to possess precious things. We need not be poor, blind, miserable, naked. There is available for us a hoard of precious things — things earthly and heavenly, present and future, temporal and eternal. I. THE GIFT OF LIFE. Are you using it well? Is yours a sanctified life, fruitful of wise thoughts and worthy deeds? Do not say that if you were somewhere else, or in some other employment, or in an entirely different condition of life, you would then live a truer and more splendid life. "The trivial round," etc. II. THE PROMISES OF GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. There are more than three thousand of these. Promises of guidance, food, raiment, defence, consolation, mercy, peace, health, prosperity, honour, glory, immortality, eternal life, endless joy in heaven, etc. Rest, then, in the Lord. Be quiet, be patient. He is faithful that promised. The Scripture cannot be broken. All the promises of the heavenly Father are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. III. REAL, PERSONAL, BLESSED COMMUNION WITH GOD, OUR FATHER, THROUGH THE MEDIATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Remember the Divine method of prayer. There is the way, and it is written plainly in the Scriptures. Listen, and be glad: "For thus saith the high and lofty One," etc. Listen and learn: "If any man sin," etc. Listen and obey: "If I regard iniquity," etc. Listen and trust: "The Spirit itself helpeth, etc. Listen and rejoice: "Be careful for nothing," etc. IV. A GOOD NAME. "Rather to be chosen than great riches." They flourish like the palm tree. Think of the names of Martin Luther, George Washington, David Livingstone, Richard Cobden, and the Prince Consort. They are like pillars of white marble, to remind us that we may be great and good. Yes, the names of the saints are immortal. V. THE BEAUTY OF EARTH AND HEAVEN. Make this use of eternal beauty and grandeur. Look at the mountains, and think of God's strength; the flowers, and think of His love; and the sun, and think of His glory. Go into the fields to find God, to the sea to worship Him. In the rich emblazonment and embroidery of nature, see the vesture of the Almighty, and know Him as thy Father in heaven, and thou shalt feel a sense of dignity and blessedness unknown before. (G. W. McCree.) Parallel Verses KJV: And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, |
    |