The Death of Good Men
W. Harris, D.D. Psalm 102:24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the middle of my days: your years are throughout all generations. I. THE REASONS OF THIS DISPENSATION. 1. The sovereignty of the Divine will, which is — (1) Absolute. (2) Uncontrollable. But the will of God is always reasonable. 2. It is a point of wisdom. We are born mortal, and under a sentence of death. When any, therefore, are removed in early life, as there is nothing uncommon and extraordinary, so it is nothing but what He has a right to do by the constitution of His law, and has reserved the judgment of to Himself. But more particularly still — 3. It is a display of His all-sufficiency, and to show that He needs not the best instruments, and the most fitted for His service, but that He can do without them, or raise up others in their room. 4. It is in great mercy to themselves. It is a great kindness to them, though it is a grief and loss to us. (1) He sometimes removes them from the evil of the world, and impending calamities coming upon it (Isaiah 47:1). (2) Or they may be taken from the snares of life, and the temptations of sin, which might prove a great disadvantage to them; and from all the conflicts and hazards of the Christian life, which they are sure to be exercised with. (3) Besides, it is a great instance of Divine mercy that He takes them the sooner to heaven, and gives them their reward betimes. They are not only the sooner out of danger, but the sooner happy. 5. It may be considered as an act of justice, and as the punishment of sin. (1) God may remove useful persons in the midst of their days, in rebuke for their own sin. He may see fit to contend with them for former offences (Deuteronomy 32:40). (2) Or else they may be removed for the sins of others. God may take them away for our over-indulgence, and too great opinion and expectation from them. Gustavus Adolphus, the great patron of the Reformation, is reported to have said in the midst of his remarkable victories and success, "That he believed God was about to lay him aside, because the eyes of all Europe were drawn upon him, and their expectations raised to so great a height."(3) Or else, it may be on the other hand, when they are neglected and slighted. God sometimes punishes the ungrateful world by removing early eminent persons, whom they did not know how to value or treat with kindness. 6. It is for the good of others, and to exercise the graces and virtues of those who survive. What so proper as the thoughts of death, to inspire our sluggish souls with life and vigour, and makes us more fervent in spirit and zealous of good works, to keep up a lively sense of religion in the world, and a constant care to please God? Hereupon — 7. To be a standing monument of human frailty, and to give warning to all about them. 8. Perhaps it may be considered as an instance of our conformity to Christ. As the servant must not be above his lord, and we must not expect kinder usage from the world than He met with; so we must not wonder if we are suffered to stay no longer in it than He did. 9. It is to make heaven more desirable to us, and raise our hearts more powerfully thither. II. IMPROVEMENT OF THE SUBJECT. 1. We should reverence and adore the Divine sovereignty and wisdom. Does He do us any wrong when He takes away what is His, and calls back again what we first received from Him, and enjoyed so long by His leave? 2. Let us look more to God, and live more entirely upon Him. 3. Let us comfort ourselves in their loss by the consideration of the mercy it is to them. Let not us be uneasy that they are happy, and repine at that which is the matter of their joy. 4. Yet we should be humbled under the sense of their loss, and lament it as a great affliction. 5. It should teach us to value useful men while they live, and make the best use of them we can. Labour to be better for them, and get some good by them, while you have them. 6. The reasonableness of early religion, and being in good earnest in it. And here let me caution you against dangerous delays, and reckoning upon long life, and neglecting present duty. 7. What reason of thankfulness for longer life and opportunity! How great is the mercy of continued life in a view of further usefulness, and better preparation for heaven. (W. Harris, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. WEB: I said, "My God, don't take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.