A good man is willing to know the worst of himself, and particularly under affliction, desires to be told wherefore God contends with him and what God designs in correcting him.
Matthew HenryRead
Scriptures were written, not to satisfy our curiosity and make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints.
Interpretation
The purpose of scriptures is not to provide scientific knowledge but to guide us towards spiritual growth and holiness.
In this quote, Matthew Henry emphasizes that the primary intention behind religious scriptures is not to fulfill human curiosity or provide a scientific understanding of the universe, such as astronomical insights. Instead, they are meant to lead individuals toward a deeper relationship with God and to cultivate virtues that transform them into saints, reflecting the spiritual and moral lessons they offer.
In practice
During a sermon, the pastor emphasized that the scriptures help us grow in faith.
A good man is willing to know the worst of himself, and particularly under affliction, desires to be told wherefore God contends with him and what God designs in correcting him.
There is a burden of care in getting riches; fear in keeping them; temptation in using them; guilt in abusing them; sorrow in losing them; and a burden of account at last to be given concerning them.
To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.
What God requires of us he himself works in us, or it is not done. He that commands faith, holiness, and love, creates them by the power of his grace going along with his word, that he may have all the praise.
No attribute of God is more dreadful to sinners than His holiness.
Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.
The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes them a mother - which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician.
No human being should ever have to fear for his own life because of political or religious beliefs. We are all in this together, my friends, the rich, the poor, the red, white, black, brown and yellow. We share responsibility for Mother Earth and those who live and breathe upon her ..never forget that.
Sin has been pardoned at such a price that we cannot henceforth trifle with it.
God never made his work for man to mend.
But sea power has never led to despotism. The nations that have enjoyed sea power even for a brief period-Athens, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, England, the United States-are those that have preserved freedom for themselves and have given it to others. Of the despotism to which unrestrained military power leads we have plenty of examples from Alexander to Mao.
My sin burdened me heavily. But when I measured it against Your Grace, O Lord, Your forgiveness came out greater.
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