The Heathen for Christ
Homilist
Psalm 2:8
Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.


Here is a wonderful donation. The giver is Jehovah, the receiver is the world's Redeemer, and the gift is the heathen world — mighty populations lying outside of the Judaean realm. What an inheritance is this, and it is given to Christ!

I. This vast inheritance is given Him to CULTIVATE.

1. This inheritance is worth cultivation. It is most prolific, its potential value is immense. It will grow the highest wisdom and the noblest virtues. Sages, poets, orators, apostles lie there by millions.

2. The cultivation of this inheritance has been sadly neglected. The fences are destroyed, the surface is crusted and overrun with thorns and thistles and noxious weeds.

3. Christ alone is able to cultivate it. Others have tried, but failed.Christ gives to the soul of heathendom that which it wants, and that which none other can give —

1. A Deity in which all hearts can unite in supreme love.

2. A creed in which all intellects can repose with unwavering confidence.

3. A law which all consciences can approve without suspicion.

4. An enterprise in which all souls can work without hesitancy or lack of interest.

II. This vast inheritance is given Him to ENJOY. It is a possession of immense value. It will be His as the reward of His mediatorial work. When its vast wildernesses will bloom as Edens, "He will see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied." What a joy will be His! Think of the joy of the husbandman surveying in autumn his fields bearing the richest crops of golden grain. Think of me joy of the patriot when he beholds the rebellious provinces bowing again in loyalty to the sovereignty of his country. Think of the joy of the philanthropist in seeing his benevolent efforts crowned with success in the removal of diseases that afflict the body or tyrannies that crush the man.

(Homilist.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

WEB: Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.




The Church Aroused to the Missionary Work
Top of Page
Top of Page