Psalm 104:14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; I. GRASS IS IN ITSELF INSTRUCTIVE. 1. As the symbol of our mortality. The whole history of man may be seen in the meadow. He springs up green and tender, subject to the frosts of infancy, which imperil his young life; he grows, he comes to maturity, he puts on beauty even as the grass is adorned with flowers; but after a while his strength departs and his beauty is wrinkled, even as the grass withers and is followed by a fresh generation, which withers in its turn. 2. As an emblem of the wicked. As the Eastern husbandman gathers up the green herb, and, despite its former beauty, casts it into the furnace, such must be your lot, O vainglorious sinners! 3. As a picture of the elect of God. How like the grass are God's people for this reason, that they are absolutely dependent upon the influences of heaven! Our fields are parched if vernal showers and gentle dews are witheld, and what are our souls without the gracious visitations of the Spirit? Sometimes through severe trials our wounded hearts are like the mown grass, and then we have the promise, "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth." Thank God for that old saying, which is a gracious doctrine as well as a true proverb, "Each blade of grass has its own drop of dew." 4. As comparable to the food wherewith the Lord supplies the necessities of His chosen ones (Psalm 23). II. GOD IS SEEN IN THE GROWING OF THE GRASS. 1. As a Worker. The simple production of grass is not the result of natural law apart from the actual work of God; mere law would be inoperative unless the great Master Himself sent a thrill of power through the matter which is regulated by the law — unless, like the steam-engine, which puts force into all the spinning-jennies and wheels of a cotton-mill, God Himself were the motive power to make every wheel revolve. How I could fall down, and find rest on the grass as on a royal couch, now that I know that my God is there at work for His creatures! 2. As a great Caretaker. He gives grass to the cattle, and He will give grace to you. III. GOD'S WORKING IN THE GRASS FOR THE CATTLE GIVES US ILLUSTRATIONS CONCERNING GRACE. 1. Preventing grace may here be seen in a symbol. Grass grew before cattle were made. And what a mercy that covenant supplies, for God's people were prepared before they were born. Long before sin came into the world the everlasting mercy of God foresaw the ruin of sin, and provided a refuge for every elect soul. 2. Then I perceive an illustration of free grace, for wherever the ox comes into the field, he brings no money with him. There is the food ready for him, but he brings nothing with which to purchase it. So I, poor needy sinner, having nothing, come, and receive Christ without money and without price. 3. And why is it that God gives the cattle the grass? The reason is because they belong to Him. "The silver and the gold are mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." How is it that Christ is provided for God's people? Because "the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance." ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; |
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