Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. I. THE PURSUIT SPECIFIED. 1. The object proposed. They "seek" God — His enlightening truth — His pardoning mercy — His sanctifying grace — His indwelling presence — His communicable fulness — and His eternal fruition beyond the grave (Psalm 17:15; Romans 2:7). 2. The conduct described. "With the whole heart" — not hypocritically and. lukewarmly; but with all the powers and energies of the soul, the understanding, the will, the conscience, and the affections; supremely, above every other object; diligently, in all the means of salvation; immediately, without delay, or procrastination; earnestly, with zealous and undivided hearts; continually, being faithful unto death, etc. (Psalm 27:4; Isaiah 55:6, 7; Jeremiah 29:13, etc.). II. THE OBEDIENCE REQUIRED. 1. It must be regulated by His Word, the only perfect and infallible standard of Christian faith and practice. 2. It must be conformable to His will. The Divine testimonies must be kept in our memories — in our affections — and in our practices. We must keep them sincerely, not in name and profession only; believingly, in the exercise of a lively and vigorous faith; affectionately, from a principle of love filling and ruling the heart; universally, having impartial respect unto all His commandments; faithfully, through all opposition, and indefatigable perseverance in well-doing (1 Corinthians 15:58). III. THE HAPPINESS ENJOYED. 1. They have blessed enjoyments. They are blessed with inconceivable peace — unspeakable joy — the testimony of a good conscience, and the witness of the Holy Spirit. 2. They have blessed anticipations. The present holiness is an earnest of their future blessedness. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.WEB: Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. |
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