It is here again and again laid down as an undoubted truth that those who are truly holy are truly happy. Those whose blessed state we are here assured of are such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, such as have a deep reverence of God upon their spirits and evidence it by a regular and constant conformity to his will. Where the fear of God is a commanding principle in the heart the tenor of the conversation will be accordingly; and in vain do we pretend to be of those that fear God if we do not make conscience both of keeping to his ways and not trifling in them or drawing back. Such are blessed, and shall be blessed. God blesses them, and his pronouncing them blessed makes them so. They are blessed now, they shall be blessed still, and forever…We are encouraged to apply it to ourselves…. Happy shalt thou be, that is, It shall be well with thee; whatever befalls thee, good shall be brought out of it; it shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou diest, and best of all to eternity…Behold it by faith…behold it by observation…behold it with assurance that it shall be so, for God is faithful, and with admiration that it should be so, for we merit no favor, no blessing, from him. – Matthew Henry |
