The Necessity of an Infinite Being to Make Men Happy
N. Marshall, D. D. Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none on earth that I desire beside you.… I. THE INSUFFICIENCY OF ANY WORLDLY GOOD FOR THE HAPPINESS OF MAN. 1. The nature of man in his present state makes it impossible for him to be completely happy. He hath hopes which cannot be answered, fears which cannot be silenced, desires will not be satisfied. 2. The nature of things, or at least the posture of them, will not and cannot render us completely happy. They have too much uncertainty to be depended on, and too much alloy mixed up with them to pass for durable or solid riches. II. THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF AN INFINITELY PERFECT BEING, TO MAKE MAN COMPLETELY HAPPY. Let us therefore examine what are the essential qualifications of an all-sufficient good, that we may be sure we are right, in resorting to God for it. 1. God is Almighty, and so can do whatever He pleaseth in heaven and earth. Wherever therefore the ingredients of our happiness are scattered, He can bring them together, and make the faculty and its object meet. 2. Infinite wisdom knows how to employ an infinity of power with all advantage for our interests. 3. His goodness assures us that He will exert these great perfections in our favour, so that whatever infinite wisdom can contrive, or infinite power do for us, His infinite goodness assures us will be contrived and done for us. 4. Eternity and unchangeableness are necessary to finish and complete our happiness. (N. Marshall, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. WEB: Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.