104. The Stroke of the Clock.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. - Hosea 10:12.

WHAT should we think of a farmer who allowed his finest fields to lie fallow year after year?

Yet men neglect their souls; and besides being unprofitable, these inward fields become full of weeds, and exceedingly foul. You see to everything else, will you not see to your souls?

It is God who calls you to break up the fallow ground of your uncultivated heart, and he waits to aid you therein.

Regard attentively the argument which he uses: "for it is time to seek the Lord." Thus, God reasons with, you. To this he adds instructions which deserve our best attention.

I. WHEN IS IT TIME? "It is time."

1. In the very first hour of responsibility it is none too soon.

2. At the present it is late, but not too late. "It is time."

3. When chastening has come, seek the Lord instantly; for now it is high time,"lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14).

4. Before trial comes, let mercy and gentleness lead to gratitude. Why should we need to be flogged to our God (Isa. 1:5)?

5. Have you not sinned long enough? May not the time past suffice for us to have served the flesh (1 Pet. 4:3)?

6. When you assume great responsibilities, and enter on a new stage of life — married, made a master, a father, etc. (1 Chron. 22:19).

7. When God's Spirit is specially at work, and therefore others are saved (Acts 3:19).

· When you yourself feel holy stirrings in your conscience, and hope in your heart (Ps. 27:8; 2 Sam. 5:24).

· When the gospel is aimed at you by an earnest minister or friend.

II. WHAT IS THE PECULIAR WORK? "to seek the Lord."

1. To draw nigh unto God; seeking him in worship, prayer, etc. (Ps. 105:4).

2. To ask pardon at his hands through the atonement of Jesus (Isa. 55:6).

3. To obtain the blessings connected with the new birth (John 1:12-13).

4. To live for his glory: seeking his honor in all things (Matt. 6:33).

III. HOW LONG SHALL THIS BE DONE? "Till he come and rain righteousness upon you;"

1. Until the blessing of righteousness he obtained: "till he come."

2. Until it be plenteously received: "rain righteousness:"

3. Until your soul is saturated: "rain righteousness upon you."

Suppose a pause between the seeking and the blessing, do not look in some other direction, but seek the Lord still.

· What else can you do (John 6:68)?

· is not God a Sovereign? May he not give when he pleases?

· Even now some rain of grace fans on you. Be thankful for it.

· Is it not worth waiting for this grace of life?

· It is sure to come. He will come, and will not tarry (Heb. 10:37).

IV. WHAT WILL COME OF IT?

1. He will come. This is implied in the expression "till he come." God's coming in grace is all you need.

2. He will come in righteousness. You need purity and holiness, and he will bring these with him.

3. He will come in abundance of grace meeting your obedient sowing. Mark the precept, "Sow in righteousness." Then note the promise, "and rain righteousness upon you."

4. In consequence of the Lord's coming to you in righteousness, you shall "reap in mercy)" With joy you shall gather the fruits of his love; not because of your own righteousness, but because of his righteousness, which he rains upon you; not as merit, but as mercy.

Come then, and seek the Lord at this very hour!

If thou wouldst find him, he is in Christ. Believe, and thou hast found him, and righteousness in him (Rom. 3:22).