The Pulpit Commentary — Lamentations — Section 49

Ver. 22.-Sparing oompassion. At this point the meditations of the prophet take a turn. He looks away from his own and his fellow-countrymen's afflictions and directs his i):aze h~nrnnwards. 'l'he scene of his vision changes. No longer the calamities of ,Jcrnsalem, but the character and the purposes of the Most High, absorb his attention. Th<'re is a rainbow which spans even the stom1iest sky. Earth may be dark, but there is brightness above. Man may be cruel or miserable, but God bas not forgotten to be gracious. I. THE LoRD's GRACIOUS ATTRIBUTES. These are described as (1) his mercies and (2) his compassions. It is the glory of revelation that it makes known a personal God, invested with the noblest moral attributes. The heathen saw in the calamities of cities and nations, either the caprice of angry deities or the working of inexorable fate, The Hebrews saw the presence, interest, and superintending providence of a God of righteousness, holiness, and grace. • Il. THE UNFAILING EXERCISE OF THESE ATTRIBUTES FOB THE RELIEF AND SALVA• TION OF MEN. If" we are not consumed," it is not through any excellence or merit of ours, but because of the forbearance and pity of him who does not willingly afflict the children of me!!. We tempt the Lord by our ingratitude and rebellion to lay aside his compassion, but he is greater and better than our highest and purest thoughts of him: " His compassions fail not." ill THE ADVA.NTAGES IIEN ENJOY THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF THESE ATTBIBUTES. There is (1) a negative advantage-we are not consumed; and (2) a positive advan- tage-we are saved and blessed. The language of the prophet receives its highest illustration in the dispensation of the gospel. It is in Christ Jesus that the attributes here celebrated appear in their greatest glory, and secure the largest and most lasting results of gooa for men. Hence the privile~e of listening to the glad tidings. And hence the obligation under which all Christians are laid to extol the mercies and corn- passions of God, revealed in his Son, and practically securing for all who believe the blessings of forgiveness, acceptance, and eternal life.-T. Ver. 23.-" New eflery 'fTWf'ning." Human life abounds in novelties. It is made up of experiences which combine novelty and repetition. But the mercies of the Eternal are ever new ; no day breaks which does not open up some new prospect of Divine faithfulness and loving-h.indness to1\'ards the children of men. I. THE SAME MERCIES ARE REPEATED AFRESH. Because a gift of God resembles a previous gift, it does not, therefo,.e, fail in being a new proof of Divine beneficence and favour. The most necessary blessings are those which are most frequently bestowed, and are those which we are most likely to receive without attention and to undervalue. II. NEW MERCIES ARE CONSTANTLY BESTOWED. 'l'be successive stages of our earthly pilgrimage reveal fresh wants, call for fresh supplies from the bounty ~nd ben_evolence of our God and Father. With new needs come new favours. Varyrng duties, fresh relationships, and changing circumstances are the occasion of ever-renewed manifesta- tions of Divine goodness. And our repeat.cd errors and infirmities are the occasion of new manifestations of Divine forbearance aud forgiveness. Ill. NEW CLADlB ARE THUS ESTABLISHED UPON HUMAN CONSECRATION AND OBEDIENCE. If a human benefactor who has upon some one important occasion come to our assist- ance deserves lifelong gratitude, how can the claims of God be justly conceived and practically acknowledged, seeing that the hours of every day are laden with his favours? If a motive is needed to a. new life, a life of devotion and holy service, where can a. more CII, III. 1-GG.J '!'HE LAMENTATIONS 01<' ,JEREMIAH. iil