2 Samuel 23:4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, even a morning without clouds… The beautiful picture that David draws is produced by a combination, first, rain, and then, clear shining after rain; and the most flourishing condition of spirituality is produced by the same two causes; it comes as the result of a combination of rain and sunshine. I. How the "clear shining after rain" is manifested IN THE HEART OF THE CONVERT. 1. The work of grace begins in the heart with a time of gloom. Clouds gather; there is a general dampness round about; the soul seems saturated with doubt, fear, dread. There is something coming, but the soul knows not what; it feels that it is very sinful, and deserves whatever punishment God may send. 2. After the clouds, in the next place, the rain falls. The real work of the. Spirit of God often follows upon an inward depression of spirit. An Irish friend of mine once said, that he had carefully noticed that it did not rain when the sun was shining; but that, whenever it rained, there were always some clouds to keep the sunshine off. There is a great truth in what my friend said. Rain becomes doubly precious to the earth when all the surroundings are suitable for its reception. All the atmosphere becomes damp; whereas, if rain could fall when all is dry and warm, mischief might come of it. Well, now, God's Holy Spirit loves to come and work ill man a congenial atmosphere, a holy tenderness, a devout heartbreaking; then with the clouds He brings a heavenly rain. 3. Then the sun shines: "Clear shining after rain." The man perceives that he is a sinner, but that Christ has come to save him. He sees his own blackness; but he believes that Christ can make him whiter than the snow. 4. Then everything grows. The grass is sure to grow when we have mist and heat together; and When a soul, having felt its need of Christ, at last beholds the light of His countenance, then it begins to grow. II. THIS "CLEAR STONING AFTER RAIN" OFTEN PRODUCES THE VERY BEST CONDITION OF THINGS IN THE SOUL OF THE BELIEVER. 1. Trial followed by deliverance. 2. This experience is realised in humiliation of self followed by joy in the Lord. It is a very healthy thing for a man to be made to know himself; and if he is made to know himself, he will have no cause for boasting. 3. Tenderness mixed with assurance. I like to meet with that man, whom Mr. Bunyan speaks of in his "Pilgrim's Progress," who was, above many, tender of sin. He was not afraid of lions; but he was dreadfully .afraid of sins. Mr. Fearing is very tender of sin. 4. The blending of experience and knowledge. III. OUR TEXT MAKES A VERY HAPPY COMBINATION IN THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD. 1. He who would have a fruitful ministry must have clear shining after the rain, by which I mean, first, law,, and then, Gospel. 2. First, repentance, and then zeal: rain, and then clear shining. 3. If your service is to be successful, bringing glory to God, there must be in it, first, prayer, and then blessing. 4. My text also means grace softening, and then shining. IV. THE CLEAR SHINING AFTER RAIN IN THE AGES TO COME. 1. And, first, times of gloom are to be expected. 2. Although times of gloom are to be expected, an age of light will follow. There will come a day when Christ shall reign amongst His ancients gloriously; when the ungodly shall hide themselves in obscure places, and the meek shall have .dominion in the earth, and the sons of God in that morning shall be owned as the noblest of men. There is to come yet "a thousand years" (whatever that period may mean) of a reign of righteousness, wherein the whole of the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, and become the vestibule of heaven. Have comfort about that glorious truth. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. |
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