The Lessons OAutumn
G. Bellett. Psalm 103:15-18 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.… There is a pensiveness in this season, which surely all must feel, and which must dispose all, except the most thoughtless, to some degree of reflection. It would be strange if we could stand amidst the decay, which is now so rapidly advancing, without being led by it into some train of meditation, favourable to religious feeling; and without receiving impressions calculated to make us wiser and better. I. THE FRAIL AND FLEETING NATURE OF MAN (vers. 15, 16; Psalm 90:5, 6; Isaiah 64:6; Isaiah 40:6, 7; Job 14:2; James 1:10). The place which we now occupy was once occupied by others, but it knows them no more; and soon it will know nothing of us. Our occupation will be gone — our daily doings will have ceased — our history will have come to its close. To fix our wishes on earth, would be to doom them to certain disappointment; it would be like putting our goods into a dwelling which we knew the next hour would be burned unto the ground — trusting our treasure to a vessel which we knew would go to pieces in the coming storm. II. THE ENDURING NATURE OF THE MERCY OF GOD (vers. 17, 18; 1 John 2:17; John 6:27; Matthew 24:35). Why, then, need we be depressed at the thought, that our days on earth are but as grass, and our joys but as the fading flowers of the field, since we may revive again, and become partakers of an "enduring substance" in a better world. III. THE CHARACTER OF THOSE TO WHOM THIS MERCY WILL BE SHOWN. Although it is free in its offers, it is not indiscriminate in its gifts: although it is given gratuitously, it is not given unconditionally: although it is offered to all, it is not granted to all. (G. Bellett.) Parallel Verses KJV: As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. WEB: As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.