The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 208

T"er. 18.-Meditation before the Lord. David, with a heart filled with wonder and gratitude by the mes~age from heaven commmunicated to him by Nathan, "went in and sat before the Lord," and poured forth his thoughts and feelings in the words which follow. Be probably went into the tent in which he had placed the ark, and there medi- tated and prayed. But the phrase," before the Lord," is very frequently employed with- out any reference to the ark, the tabernacle, or the temple. God is everywhere, and every- where we may place ourselves as in his special presence, and with acceptance and profit offer him our thoughts and worship; and we do well often to imitate David in this respect. l. THE CO?.'"DITIONS FAVOURABLE, AND INDEED ESSENTIAL, TO RIGHT THOUGHT Alm WORSmr WHICH ARE FOID.'"D IN TlIE FELT PRESENCE OF Goo. 1. The exclu.sion of the world and its influences.. "Before the Lord," the world, with its gains, pleasures, opinions, applause, or disapproval, vanishes from view, or appears as nothing; and thus we are delivered from its blinding and perverting influence, 2. Intense consciousness of God. He is for the time our .&.ll. His character, works, relation to us, dealings with us, claims upon us, judgment respecting us, stand forth glorious and impressive. 3. Intense consciowmess ,o/ ourselves, our real nature, relationships, respO'Tl,Sibilities to God and man. In the light of the Divine presence these things appear quite otherwise than when we regard only the material and the human. 4. Greater susceptibility to D·ivine influences, and receptivity ef Divine gifts. Our hearts are prepared to receive more of the Holy Spirit; and we do receive more. IL THE SPIRITUAL PROFIT THUS SECURED. 1. Fuller and truer knowledge. <i In thy light shall we see light" (Ps. xxxvL 9), which includes knowledge and much besides. "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their ead" (Ps, lxx.ili. 17). In tbe presence of God we obtain deeper insight into his nature and character, understand better his plans and methods. Our thoughts of him are enlarged and quickened. And in knowing Lim we come to know ourselves; his greatness reveals our littleness; his holiness, our sinfulness; and his fatherly love and redeeming grace, the true worth and dignity of our souls. Coming to him, as the disciples to Christ, to tell him what we have been doing and teaching, the poverty and imperfections of our liv06 become manifest to us. In his presence, too, we learn the relative values of holiness and sin, time and eternity, this world and the next. 2. Riche,· and deeper emotions and affections. Penitence and humility, gratitude and love, confidence and hope, peace and joy, are all nouriJ;hed best in the presence of God. Coming to him to confess our sins and failures, we shall, as we look into his face, be inspired with new and more hopeful resolve. Bringing our cares and fears to him, as Hezekiah the letter of Sennacherib (Isa. xxxviL 14), we shall be relieved of them, and gain new courage and patience. a. Ever-better worship. Which will naturally spring from an enriched and spiritual life. Worship which is not offered "before the Lord" is not worship at all; and the more his presence is felt the worthier will our worship be. 4. Ever-growing power to live according to our convictions and resolutions. "Defore the Lord," his children grow brave and strong to do and endure. His eye felt to be upon them, they act nobly; bis love realized by them, their hearts are filled with a love mighty to serve him and their brethren, and to conquer the evil powers. Finally : The measure of our disposition to go before God for converse with him, instruction, stimulus, consolation, et~, is the measure of our actual pi.ety. We lose much of the highest happiness and profit through negligence in this respect. All that occupies our minds and moves our hearts becomes sanctified and elevated as we go a.side and bring it "before the Lord." On the other hand, the greatest attention to religious observances which are not, through faith and love, done in the presence of God, is worthles11, ciishollouring to 0:od, 11,11d useless, yea, worse than useleSII, t,o the worshipper,-G. W. i,tt. \ttl. 1-29,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 213