Thomas Oliver
The great and ceaseless effort of the enemy is to divert us from God our Father, so that we may be robbed of our joy, and God of His portion in His people; and God’s great aim and end in all His dealings with us is to secure and retain our affections, making us partakers of His holiness — that is, bringing us into such a state of soul that we may enjoy His company and He may enjoy ours, so that on our side our joy may be full. With this in view He weans us from present things shows us how death like a shadow rests on all below, that we may be a separate people, leading us by His Spirit into communion with Himself about His own beloved Son, taking us into His confidence about His eternal purposes of love, so that we may rejoice and prosper in every way.