The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 211

of God and were elm).JIY In fulfilment of hie word, by which they had become known to himself. For the will nnd the work and the word be praises God. I. Goo DOES GREAT TH!NGB ON BEHALF OF me PEOPLE. The works of creation are great and according to hie own heart, originating In himself, and on a scale propor- tionate to his own greatness. So with the works of bis providence. But we will apply the words to redemption. The works included in this are indeed great. They are on a scale of grandeur worthy of God. 1. The methods employed are great. The Incarnation-the union of God and man in one Person. The display of the glory of God in the earthly life of Christ, and at his death, resurrection, and ascension. His exalta- tion to be " Lord of all." The descent and operations of the Holy Spirit. 2. The work effected on behalf of man is great. The atonement especially, and all involved in it. The conquest over sin and Satan and death. The opening of the way to God and heaven. 3. The work WrO'Ught in and towards men is great (1) In respect to each believer. Illumination, regeneration, pardon, peace, holiness, Eerfection, glory everlasting, together with the special guidance and government of God s providence tending to and issuing in these great results. (2) In respect to the multitude redeemed and saved. (3) In. respect to the final deliverance and exaltation with the Church of the whole creation (Rom. viii. 19-22; Eph. i. 10). II. Goo DOES THESE GREAT THINGS "ACCORDING TO HIS OWN HEART." 1. They spring from his heart. '1'bey are done spontaueously, of bis own free grace and will- " his own good pleasure." . N c;,t at the prompting of others, for none other could have conceived them. Not under a sense of obligation, for we had no claim upon him, except that our_ sin arid misery appealed to bis compassion. They originated in the Divine mind, sprang from the Divine love. 2. They befit his heart. They bear the stamp of the Divine nature; are worthy of his infinite wisdom, righteousness, benevo- lence, and power; are the grandest display of them. "It became him," etc. (Heb. ii. 10). "All thy ways Are worthy of thyself-Divine; But the bright glories of thy grace Beyond thine other wonders shine." llL Gc>D DOES T)IESE GREAT THINGS IN FULFILMENT OF HIS OWN WoBD. "For thy Word's sake." ·1. He announces them by his Word. "To make thy servant know them:'' The things which God has done and will do he makes known. It is thus they become available to each and all to whom the Word is co=unicated. For the knowledge. is the chief part of the means by which salvation is wrought. "The gospel •.. is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. i. 16 ; see also Rom. x. 13, 14; 1 Cor. i. 17, 18, 23; .J as. i. 18; 1 Pet. i. 22, 23). Thus also we are assured cif the completion of. the work of redemption. For by the promises our God lays himself u11der obligation to perfect the salvation of all believers. It is, there- fore, a great privilege to know these great things which God works. 2. He accomplishes them according to his Word. He cannot do otherwise. He "cannot lie" (Titus i. 2). "He abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself" (2 Tim. ii. 13). Moreover, "what he hath/romieed, he is able also to perform" (Rom. iv. 21). Now that he has given his Wor , "for his '\Vord's sake," if there were no other reason, he will do "all these great things." Then : 1. Let us, like David, adore and praise our God for his WO'Tldrous works, and for making them known to us. How glorious he appears in these works! Let us, ascribe glory to him. 2 .. Let believers rest assured of the complete accomplishment nf the work of their own redemption. They have the ,Word and the heart of God, and hie actual works for them and in them, to give them assurance. 3. Let 1,sfear, lest we shoold fail, through negligence and unbelief, to appropriate the redemption so wondrously wrought for us, notwithstanding our knowledge of it. (See Heb. ii. 1-4.)-G. W. Ver. 22.-God surpassingly great and ever the same. "Wherefore," because thou doest these great things, extendin" on through the ages, and because thou canst and dost foresee and predict them, "thou art·" manifestly "great" thyself, surpassing all others; the very God our fathers worshipped nnd have told us of. David's knowledge of God becomes to a greater <legree personal insight and conviction through the new  216 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [OH, VU. 1--20,