The true northerner., 1903-11-27

copyright, 1908. by American Press Association ]
Our lesson is entitled "David's charge
to Solomon" but that Is covered by
verses and 10; the verses preceding
give David's charge to Israel through
her representative men; but the COM
plete charge both TO Solomon and to
the people includes at least the last two
verses of this chapter and the first five
of the next. The address to both con-
Germs very largely the temple which
David had it i'm his heart to build and
for which he made abundant provision.
but concerning which God said unto
him, Thou shalt not build an house
for my name because thou hast been a
man of war and hast shed blood"
oversees 1-3).
Many things suggest themselves TO
the mind of child of God which seem
both to the believer and to his intimate
friends TO be good and right, but the
suggestions are not of God. On the
other hand, God sometimes tells be-
lever TO do that which seems contrary
TO the common sense and good judg-
ment both of himself and his fellow be-
levers. Even Nathan, the prophet.
thought that David'S purpose 10 build
a temple was all right, and he at first
encouraged him in it Il Chron. xvii. |. -.
The apostle Paul thought that he
ought 10 preach the word in Asia and
i'm Bithymia on his way west during
his second tour, but the Spirit forbade
him 10 do so at that time (Acts xvi, q.
- And what could seem more con
trary To all sound judgment Of men
than 10 build Il great vessel with no
water i'm sight 10 expect a sea TO di-
vide. a river TO stop flowing, n city's
walls To fall down by unseen hands,
five loaves of bread TO feed 1000 men
or 10 roll away a stone from tomb
and expect corrupting body 10 come
forth I'm health? But these are only
parts of His ways. and how little por-
ton we hear of Him. GTob XVI. IA:
see also Il. W In creation and in re-
dcmption God i'm Christ was the only
worker, and in the daily life Of each
believer il must be His working which
q
wood. hay and stubblc. which must be
burned up Phil. ii. Il; Col i, 20; Cor.
ill., If. 15l.
God is ever working all things after
the counsel of His own will, according
to the eternal purpose which He pur-
posed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph.
j, Il: iii, ID. Abel and Seth, not Cain;
Isaac. not Ishmael; Jacob, not ESau;
Judah, not Reuben or the others; Da-
vid. not Eliab; Solomon, not Nathan,
are the chosen sons Of men through
whom the Son of Man is to come who
Tabernacle Gohn ii, 1921; Heb. viii. l.
p; also the chief corner stone of the
building now being completed (Eph. il,
1920. and the son of David TO sit on
David's throne and reign over the
house Of Jacob forever luke /. 81 90.
The throne of David at Jerusalem IL
the only throne on earth that has ever
been called the throne of the Lord
Verse >; chap. xxx, %; II Chron. tx,
s.. and Jerusalem is the only city on
earth that will be called the throne Of
the Lord der. iii, Ia. and the only
that God says lie will do with His
whole heart and soul is that He will
place Israel i'm their own land. give
them one heart and one way 10 fear
Him and make them His people In the
sight of all nations der. Xxi. 31-42).
1t is part of His eternal purpose, and
He will do in spite of all the caviling
and unbelief Of Jews and gentiles
Let us give special attention in the
remainder of our meditation 10 the
charge to Solomon and take what we
can Of it TO our own hearts. ON April
%. 1856. verse Q was made very spc-
cial blessing TO my soul as rode ON the
train from Scranton TO Philadelphia.
\ memorandum on the margin of my
Bible reminds me of this and the bless
ing lasts TO this day. There is nothing
greater than TO know God der tx, %.
"a John xvii, 3; xiv, .; Phil. iii. 10; IL
Pet iii. lSl. TO know Him as our Father
Jesus Christ, for no man
knoweth the Father save the Son, and
he to whomsoever the Son will reveal
Him Matt. ri, %. There are no chill
dren of God. according 10 the Scrip
lures, except those who are born OF
God by receiving Jesus Christ as their
Saviour, who also created all things
(John j. 1-13). Then TO serve Him with
a perfect or whole heart and a willing
mind, remembering that He searcheth
and understandeth all the imaginations
Of the thoughts Of our hearts-this is
life in earnest Concerning the perfect
heart see Gen. xvii, |: Heb. Kill. 20
AS truly as the palace which Solomon
was TO build was not for man, but for
the Lord God, so the daily life of every
believer is first of all for the kingdom
Of God and His righteousness CHAP
xxx, /; Matt. vi. So. Let the words
Take heed; be strong and do; be
strong and Of good courage and do;
fear not, nor be dismayed," and the
other words of verses 10 and 90 be COM
pared with Deut. XXI, 6. 8; Josh. |, 80;
Hag. ii. 4. .. and then humbly but hon
esty appropriate as your very own
Gods special personal message to your