94. Better Than At Your Beginning.

I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.. - Ezekiel 36:11.

WHEN other nations fall they rise no more, but to the covenanted people future still remains. Even the land given by covenant has an entailed blessing on it, for these words are to the "mountains of Israel."

To hypocrites and formalists an end cometh; but true children of God rise again after decays and declensions. As saith the prophet, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me" (Mic. 7:8).

A greater blessing than that which they have lost may yet be granted to restored wanderers. The text contains a great promise. Oh, that we may enjoy it!

I. WHAT WAS THERE SO GOOD IN OUR BEGINNINGS?

As Israel's land in the beginning flowed with milk and honey, so our first estate had a singular richness about it. Oftentimes, in looking back, we sing,—

"Where is the blessedness I knew,

When first I saw the Lord?

Where is the soul-refreshing view

Of Jesus, and his Word?"

1. We enjoyed a vivid sense of free and full forgiveness.

2. We had a delicious proof of the joy of true religion.

3. We gained repeated victories over sinful inclinations, and outward temptations; and this made us jubilant in Christ.

4. We felt great delight in prayer, the Word, communion, etc.

5. We abounded in zeal and service, and the joy of the Lord was our strength.

6. We were in our first love, and everything was lively, intense, hopeful, wonderful, to our humble, happy mind. We were simplehearted and confiding, had not yet found out the imperfections of our brethren, and were too humble to look for them. We have not gained much by losing that confidence if in its room we have received suspicion.

We read of the "first ways of David" (2 Chron. 17:3). We are bidden to do our "first works" (Rev. 2:5).

II. CAN WE ENJOY SOMETHING BETTER THAN OUR BEGINNINGS?

Assuredly we shall if the Lord will fulfill this promise; and that he is sure to do if we walk more closely with him.

1. Our faith will be stronger, more steadfast, and intelligent.

2. Our knowledge will be fuller and deeper.

3. Our love will be more constant, practical, enduring.

4. Our prayer will be more prevalent.

5. Our usefulness will be more extended, more abiding.

6. Our whole being will be more mature.

We are to shine more and more unto the perfect day (Prov. 4:18). Growth in grace brings with it many good things.

III. HOW CAN WE SECURE THIS BETTERNESS?

There must be a re-settlement according to our old estates in our own souls, and then there will be a renewed settlement by the act of God.

1. We must return to our first simple faith in Jesus.

2. We must quit the sins which alienated us from God.

3. We must be more thorough, and earnest.

4. We must seek after closer fellowship with Christ.

5. We must more resolutely strive to advance in divine things.

Admire the liberality of our God! He promises to do better unto us than at our beginnings. What more can he do?

See the constancy of his love-how he maintains ancient settlements, and restores old estates! Covenant heritages are entailed upon their holders by the unchanging grace of God.

Mark with what tenderness he woos us to return to his fellowship: he draws, he allures, he wins by greatness of love!

Let us, in the power of his Holy Spirit, return to him!