_Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that He would dwell in the thick darkness._ GOD DWELLING IN DARKNESS His dwelling in darkness has a symbolical meaning. It tells us of the darkness in which Divine and spiritual things are enveloped. It conveys to us this truth--that only a certain portion of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who hath with His hands fulfilled that which He spake._ THE PERFORMANCE OF GOD’S PROMISE I. That God deals with His people in all ages by way of promise. Adam, Abraham, David. II. That the performance of this promise is a source of joy to them. 1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel._ DAVID’S INTENTION TO BUILD THE TEMPLE I. Man’s purposes are sometimes greater than his power. Limitation of-- 1. Character. 2. Body. 3. Culture. 4. Circumstances--want of means or liberty. 5... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he stood before the altar of the Lord._ DAVID’S CHARGE TO SOLOMON FULFILLED I. Solomon’s affectionate remembrance of his earthly father. II. His reverence of his heavenly Father. What sublimity and yet what humility is there evinced in this prayer of the king! Had he been an outcast like Mana... [ Continue Reading ]
_But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?_ THE CONDESCENDING GOD I. Let me call your attention to the fact of the Divine greatness; because it is only in the view of that that we can be prepared to appreciate the Divine condescension. “Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain._ PERILS TO AGRICULTURE I. A rebuke to rationalism in natural evils. All meteorological phenomena are under God’s control. In all afflictive events God speaks to cities and nations. II. A moral design in the infliction of natural evils. 1. To req... [ Continue Reading ]
_If Thy people go out to war._ THE LAWFULNESS OF WAR I shall take these words as a political maxim and moral precept comprehending these two propositions. I. That here is couched a supposition, that upon just grounds and lawful causes any nation may declare and make war upon another, implied in t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now, my God, let, I beseech Thee, Thine eyes be open, and let Thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place._ THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE (a dedication sermon):--The text is a prayer to God-- I. For the notice of His eye. “Let Thine eyes be open towards this house.” That you m... [ Continue Reading ]