Preacher's Analyst Deuteronomy 8:1-2 All the commandments which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live, and multiply… I. THE DUTY OF REMEMBRANCE. The world likes to forget. There is so much that is self-humiliating in the past, so much that is disagreeable, that men would like to get it out of their thoughts. But not so the Christian. He is taught that it is his duty to bear in mind all the incidents of his past. It is an important duty. The way has been rough and varied, but it has been fraught with momentous issues. Have all the varied experiences been given us in order that they might at once pass from our ken? Some forget from indifference; they never can remember. Go through what they may, they never learn experience. Some forget from loose habits of mind; from long indolence. Others forget because they want to avoid the pain of remembrance. But none of them realise that remembrance is an important duty, an absolute command of God. It is important in worldly things, for it does much to form our human character. But it is still more important in spiritual things, for it does still more to form our spiritual character. II. THE PROFIT TO BE DERIVED. Our past lives have been directed for two ends — 1. To humble us. How insignificant we appear to ourselves in the light of the past! How our plans have. been thwarted, our. ambition damped, our desires crushed! Where is our pride at the end of the journey of life? 2. To prove us. There is much alloy in the best of our services, much sin even in holy things. III. THE COMFORT TO BE IMPARTED. At first sight it seems that no affliction for the present seemeth light. It is always painful. Nevertheless it worketh out an abundant weight of glory. Persecutors mean evil, but God causes it to be good. Consider — 1. The future good more than counterbalances the present evil. When the rod is removed the purified soul will rejoice in the eternal presence of God. 2. Trials by the way are proofs of Divine love. "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. God sees better and further than we do. (Preacher's Analyst.) Parallel Verses KJV: All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. |
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