The Good Lord Pardon Every One That Prepareth
The sermon emphasizes the importance of heart preparation and sincere desire in seeking God, rather than relying on outward forms and rituals.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of heart preparation in seeking God, as illustrated by the people who participated in the Passover without proper ceremonial cleansing. Despite their ignorance of the temple rites, their sincere desire to connect with God was acknowledged, highlighting that God forgives those who seek Him earnestly, even in their lack of knowledge. Meyer draws parallels to Jesus' intercession for those who sin out of ignorance, reminding us that sincere hearts are what truly matter in our relationship with God. He encourages believers to focus on seeking God rather than being hindered by rituals or misunderstandings. Ultimately, the message is one of grace and the accessibility of God to all who earnestly seek Him.
Text
The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth
his heart to seek God. 2 Chron. xxx. 18, 19.
A VERY touching prayer, that opens up deep thoughts as to the progress of the true knowledge of God in Israel, and of the comparative value of heart preparation and ceremonial cleansing. Here were crowds of well‑meaning people who had come from all parts of the land in answer to Hezekiah's invitation. Unaccustomed to temple usage, strangers to the temple rites, they had participated in the festivities of this great Passover without submitting first to the necessary ablutions. Their heart was prepared to seek God, they were proud of the great past, they desired to stand right with the Lord God of their fathers; but they were sadly ignorant and careless. The only thing to be done was to pray that their ignorances and negligences might be forgiven.
It is thus that Jesus pleads in heaven; and there are many that obtain mercy on the ground of his merit, because when they sin they do so ignorantly, and from want of knowledge rather than from want of heart. The devout ritualist who lays an excessive stress on outward forms; the man who has sensuous and distorted views of Christ, but sincerely desires to be accepted through Him; the soul that touches the hem of the garment as though the healing power were independent of the will‑power of the Redeemer; the dying malefactor, who, in his last hours, catches at some distorted representation of Christ which is filtered through to him from the chance word of an uninstructed preacher ‑‑ these are included in the fruitful pleading of the Great High Priest, who has compassion on the ignorant and on those who are out of the way. You may not understand doctrine, creed, or rite;but be sure to seek God. No splendid ceremonial nor rigorous etiquette can intercept the seeking soul.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Heart Preparation
- The Role of Jesus in Forgiveness
- The Limitations of Outward Forms
- Excessive stress on outward forms is not enough
- Sincerely desiring to be accepted through Christ is key
Key Quotes
“You may not understand doctrine, creed, or rite; but be sure to seek God.” — F.B. Meyer
“The only thing to be done was to pray that their ignorances and negligences might be forgiven.” — F.B. Meyer
“No splendid ceremonial nor rigorous etiquette can intercept the seeking soul.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Make sure your heart is prepared to seek God, rather than just going through outward motions.
- Recognize that Jesus' merit can obtain forgiveness for those who seek Him sincerely.
- Sincerely desire to be accepted by Christ, rather than just trying to follow rules and rituals.