Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all your works. There are many ways by which we draw near to God, but prayer is the best used means. So then take our text — I. As A TOUCHSTONE. Try your prayers by it. Is there any drawing near to God in them? No matter how beautiful, venerable, scriptural the form, if the petitions be never presented. Suppose I should desire a favour of some friend. I shut myself up alone, and I commence delivering an oration, pleading earnestly for the boon I need. I repeat this at night, and so on month after month. At last I meet my friend, and I tell him that I have been asking a favour of him, and that he has never heard my prayer. "Nay," saith he, "I have never seen you; you never spoke to me." "Ah, but you should have heard what I said; if you had but heard, it surely would have moved your heart." "Ah," saith he, "but then you did not address it to me. You wrote a letter, you tell me, but did you post the letter?" "No, no," you say; "I kept the letter after I had written it; I never sent it to you." Now, mark, it is thus with many prayers. There has been no drawing near to God. This drawing near is at first with holy fear, then with holy reverence, then with joy as a child to a father. Next — II. On the text AS A WHETSTONE. Pray, for prayer explains mysteries; brings deliverances; obtains promises. If thou hast a burden on thy back, remember prayer, for thou shalt carry it well if thou canst pray. Once on a time Christian had to carry it. He crept along on his hands and knees. There appeared to him a fair and comely damsel, holding in her hands a wand, and she touched the burden. It was there, it was not removed; but, strange to say, the burden lost its weight. That which had crushed him to the earth had become now so light that he could leap and carry it. And prayer ensures success in our work for God. Two labourers in God's harvest met each other once upon a time, and they sat down to compare notes. One was sorrowful, and complained that though he diligently sowed, no harvest came. The other said, "I steep my seed in prayer, and I have much success." III. AS A TOMBSTONE. For the prayerless soul is a Christless soul. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. |
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