Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.
Thus says the Lord:
What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, have followed idols, and have become idolaters? Neither did they say, 'Where is the Lord, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt...?
If their ingratitude was base, who inquired not after Him who had redeemed them from Egypt, what must ours be, who have been redeemed from death and hell; and redeemed, too, not as Israel, by a mere act of power, but by the blood and righteousness of our incarnate God! Consider, in reference to the points specified in the passage before us, from what bondage we have been delivered; what provision God has made for us in the way; and what a rest he has prepared for us at the end! What were the afflictions of Egypt, in comparison to the miseries of hell? And what were the cloudy pillar for their direction, and the manna and water for their support, in comparison to the indwelling of the Spirit of God in our souls, as our Guide, our Sanctifier, and our Comforter? And what was a short possession of Canaan, in comparison to an eternal inheritance in heaven? What the Jews enjoyed was a mere shadow only, of which we possess the substance: and all this bought for us by the precious blood of Christ, who laid down his life for us?
Now, it might well be supposed that we should be continually inquiring after this Saviour; and that we should not have so much as a wish but to know Him, love Him, serve Him, glorify Him, and enjoy Him. But has this been the case with us? Have we not, on the contrary, passed days, weeks, months, and years, without any anxious desire after Him, or any diligent pursuit of Him? Look back, I pray you, and see what has been the state of your souls, from your youth up even to the present moment. Compare your feelings about the things of this world, its cares, pleasures, vanities; and say whether they have not engrossed your minds far more than the Lord Jesus, and all the wonders of redeeming love. Tell me, then, What can exceed your ingratitude? And how justly may God be filled with indignation against you!
I now, in God's name, challenge every one of you to say, What have you ever found in the Lord Jesus Christ that merits such treatment at your hands?
-Charles Simeon
