Godly desires for the Church.
The Jews were remarkably attached to localities. They cherished the national associations with such places as Bethel, the Red Sea, the Jordan, etc.; but they loved most intensely Jerusalem and Mount Zion. To the better Jews localities were only shrines of spiritual truths. Bethel meant "God near:" the Red Sea meant "God redeeming:" Jordan meant "God faithful to his word." Those Jews saw the spiritual through the local; we are expected to see the spiritual without the help of the local.
I. THE FERVENT DESIRES OF A GODLY SOUL. To see Zion—the type of Christ's Church—delivered and established in righteousness.
1. Delivered from
2. Established in righteousness.
II. THE VARIETY OF MOTIVES THAT INCREASE THE DESIRES.
1. Our consecration vow. We gave ourselves first to Christ, and then to his Church.
2. The emotions of the Christian life. These inspire us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
3. Love to Christ. This, John tells us, is sure to find expression in love for the brethren.
III. THE ONE SUPREME MOTIVE PROMINENT IN THE TEXT, The real welfare of the Church itself. "For Zion's sake." We ought to feel the utmost anxiety that
IV. THE MAN WHO HAS GOOD DESIRES WELL NOT WITHHOLD HIS PERSONAL EFFORTS. "I will not hold my peace," etc. The real greatness of prayer is only knows to the man who works, and the greatness of work only to him who prays.—R.T.