Psalms 81:11-12 - Homilies By S. Conway

Given up.

Note—

I. THE CONDITION CONTEMPLATED . It meant:

1 . No longer held back from sin. "Their own hearts' lust" was to lead them now.

2 . No longer urged to goodness.

3 . The Spirit no longer striving with them.

4 . Divine chastisements abandoned. (Cf. Isaiah 1:5 .) See the history of Israel for proof of all this. And it is true still, when a soul is "given up" by God—when even his resources seem exhausted.

II. ITS TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES ,

1 . They are often naturally visible. A God-forsaken people, Church, soul, can be readily recognized. Disaster, defeat, shame, weakness, death,—these are some of the outward signs.

2 . They are felt within. ( See the history of Saul, 1 Samuel 28:6 .) Ah! the inward misery of the soul given up of God.

III. THE INVARIABLE CAUSE . ( Hosea 4:17 ; and see text.)

1 . They would not hearken to God's voice. Neither by his messengers, nor through conscience, nor in providence.

2 . They would have none of God. They cared neither for his favour nor for his frown.

IV. THE DIVINE RELUCTANCE TO THUS DEAL WITH THEM . ( Psalms 81:13 ; Hosea 11:8 ; Matthew 23:37 ; Luke 13:34 .)—S.C.