II. What it speaks to us —
To us does the Lord Jesus speak in his word, as truly as he ever spake to Martha, or to his own Disciples. To ourselves then we may apply that question, " Said I not thus and thus unto thee ? and that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Yes: and in this reproof we see,
1. That whatever the Lord Jesus has spoken to us, should be treasured up in our minds —
[In his word are " exceeding great and precious promises :" and every one of them is made to us : and it is no less our duty, than our privilege, to rely upon them, and to expect their ac- complishment to our souls. For instance, He has told us that " those who come to God by him God will in no wise cast out" — that " all manner of sin and wickedness shall be for- given unto them — and that " they shall never perish, but shall have eternal life." These, and ten thousand other pro- mises we should treasure up in our minds, and plead them before God in prayer. Nor should we ever be discouraged by any difficulties or any delays. The difficulties may be designed
of God for the fuller manifestation of his own glory
and the delays be permitted to endear to us the more the mercies that he will vouchsafe unto us.]
2. That the more we exercise faith in God the more will he manifest to us his glory —
[God will honour faith. See it in the case of Abraham and in the case of Moses : How much more visible were his power and grace in the birth of Isaac when he was given to Abraham after all hope of any progeny had ceased, and when restored to him afterwards, as it were, from the dead ! And how did every difficulty that interposed between the first mes- sage delivered to Pharaoh and the final establishment of the Hebrews in the promised land, display and magnify the grace of God in that stupendous dispensation ! So shall we find in all God's dealings with us, the more we are tried, the more will his glory appear to us, if only we stagger not at his pro- mises, but be strong in faith, giving glory to him ! Only let us never limit his power, or doubt his veracity. If our case appear as desperate as that of Lazarus, let us not therefore doubt, and much less despond : for sooner shall heaven and earth pass away, that one jot or tittle of his word shall fail" ]