Think Great Thoughts of God!

Charles Spurgeon introduced his first sermon at New Park Street Chapel with these words: “It has been said by some one that "the proper study of mankind is man." I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. We shall be obliged to feel—

"Great God, how infinite art thou, what worthless worms are we!" A. W. Pink wrote:

"The foundation of all true knowledge of God must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshipped.

Something more than a theoretical knowledge of God is needed by us. God is only truly known in the soul as we yield ourselves to Him, submit to His authority, and regulate all the details of our lives by His holy precepts and commandments. "Then shall we know, if we follow on (in the path of obedience) to know the Lord" (Hosea 6:3). "If any man will do His will, he shall know" (John 7:17

What is amazing, and better said by Richard Baxter, "I bewail that my apprehensions are so dull, my thoughts so mean, my affections so stupid, and my expressions so low and unbecoming such a glory." As I write this first blog of June, my mind races to think of things that would be witty, penetrating, and on the cutting edge. I realize that I am not that witty, rarely penetrating, and certainly not on the cutting edge of all that is happening today. I am simply a pastor with a heart for God’s people. I think and write pastoral for the glory of God and the joy of all peoples through our glorious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. As I begin the month of June my mind is drawn to contemplate God. I urge you to think great and frequent thoughts on God and His glorious character. It is harder to take the time these days amidst all of the intrusions and interruptions in our lives. Secret time and secret places alone with God are almost a thing of the past.

Let me encourage you to do as Jonathan Edwards did: “I frequently used to retire into a solitary place, on the banks of the Hudson River, at some distance from the city for contemplation on divine things and secret converse with God; and had many sweet hours there.” "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" Exodus 15:11 (ESV)