Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v23800

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 8KB | 132 lines

23807
 * The psalmist declares his love to the Lord. (1-9) His desire
 to be thankful. (10-19)

 #1-9 We have many reasons for loving the Lord, but are most
 affected by his loving-kindness when relieved out of deep
 distress. When a poor sinner is awakened to a sense of his
 state, and fears that he must soon sink under the just wrath of
 God, then he finds trouble and sorrow. But let all such call
 upon the Lord to deliver their souls, and they will find him
 gracious and true to his promise. Neither ignorance nor guilt
 will hinder their salvation, when they put their trust in the
 Lord. Let us all speak of God as we have found him; and have we
 ever found him otherwise than just and good? It is of his
 mercies that we are not consumed. Let those who labour and are
 heavy laden come to him, that they may find rest to their souls;
 and if at all drawn from their rest, let them haste to return,
 remembering how bountifully the Lord has dealt with them. We
 should deem ourselves bound to walk as in his presence. It is a
 great mercy to be kept from being swallowed up with over-much
 sorrow. It is a great mercy for God to hold us by the right
 hand, so that we are not overcome and overthrown by a
 temptation. But when we enter the heavenly rest, deliverance
 from sin and sorrow will be complete; we shall behold the glory
 of the Lord, and walk in his presence with delight we cannot now
 conceive.

23816
 #10-19 When troubled, we do best to hold our peace, for we are
 apt to speak unadvisedly. Yet there may be true faith where
 there are workings of unbelief; but then faith will prevail; and
 being humbled for our distrust of God's word, we shall
 experience his faithfulness to it. What can the pardoned sinner,
 or what can those who have been delivered from trouble or
 distress, render to the Lord for his benefits? We cannot in any
 way profit him. Our best is unworthy of his acceptance; yet we
 ought to devote ourselves and all we have to his service. I will
 take the cup of salvation; I will offer the drink-offerings
 appointed by the law, in token of thankfulness to God, and
 rejoice in God's goodness to me. I will receive the cup of
 affliction; that cup, that bitter cup, which is sanctified to
 the saints, so that to them it is a cup of salvation; it is a
 means of spiritual health. The cup of consolation; I will
 receive the benefits God bestows upon me, as from his hand, and
 taste his love in them, as the portion not only of mine
 inheritance in the other world, but of my cup in this. Let
 others serve what masters they will, truly I am thy servant. Two
 ways men came to be servants. By birth. Lord, I was born in thy
 house; I am the son of thine handmaid, and therefore thine. It
 is a great mercy to be children of godly parents. By redemption.
 Lord, thou hast loosed my bonds, thou hast discharged me from
 them, therefore I am thy servant. The bonds thou hast loosed
 shall tie me faster unto thee. Doing good is sacrifice, with
 which God is well pleased; and this must accompany giving thanks
 to his name. Why should we offer that to the Lord which cost us
 nothing? The psalmist will pay his vows now; he will not delay
 the payment: publicly, not to make a boast, but to show he is
 not ashamed of God's service, and to invite others to join him.
 Such are true saints of God, in whose lives and deaths he will
 be glorified.
23826
 * All people called upon to praise God.

 - Here is a solemn call to all nations to praise the Lord, and
 proper matter for that praise is suggested. We are soon weary of
 well-doing, if we keep not up the pious and devout affections
 with which the spiritual sacrifice of praise ought to be kindled
 and kept burning. This is a gospel psalm. The apostle, #Ro
 15:11|, quotes it as a proof that the gospel was to be preached
 to the Gentile nations, and that it would be entertained by
 them. For many ages, in Judah only was God known, and his name
 praised; this call was not then given to any Gentiles. But the
 gospel of Christ is ordered to be preached to all nations, and
 by him those that were afar off are made nigh. We are among the
 persons to whom the Holy Spirit here speaks, whom he calls upon
 to join his ancient people in praising the Lord. Grace has thus
 abounded to millions of perishing sinners. Let us then listen to
 the offers of the grace of God, and pray for that time when all
 nations of the earth shall show forth his praises. And let us
 bless God for the unsearchable riches of gospel grace.
23828
 * It is good to trust in the Lord. (1-18) The coming of Christ
 in his kingdom. (19-29)

 #1-18 The account the psalmist here gives of his troubles is
 very applicable to Christ: many hated him without a cause; nay,
 the Lord himself chastened him sorely, bruised him, and put him
 to grief, that by his stripes we might be healed. God is
 sometimes the strength of his people, when he is not their song;
 they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual
 delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the
 everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks
 forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant
 cause for joy and praise. Every answer to our prayers is an
 evidence that the Lord is on our side; and then we need not fear
 what man can do unto us; we should conscientiously do our duty
 to all, and trust in him alone to accept and bless us. Let us
 seek to live to declare the works of God, and to encourage
 others to serve him and trust in him. Such were the triumphs of
 the Son of David, in the assurance that the good pleasure of the
 Lord should prosper in his hand.

23846
 #19-29 Those who saw Christ's day at so great a distance, saw
 cause to praise God for the prospect. The prophecy, ver.
 #22,23|, may refer to David's preferment; but principally to
 Christ. 1. His humiliation; he is the Stone which the builders
 refused: they would go on in their building without him. This
 proved the ruin of those who thus made light of him. Rejecters
 of Christ are rejected of God. 2. His exaltation; he is the
 chief Cornerstone in the foundation. He is the chief Top-stone,
 in whom the building is completed, who must, in all things, have
 the pre-eminence. Christ's name is Wonderful; and the redemption
 he wrought out is the most amazing of all God's wondrous works.
 We will rejoice and be glad in the Lord's day; not only that
 such a day is appointed, but in the occasion of it, Christ's
 becoming the Head. Sabbath days ought to be rejoicing days, then
 they are to us as the days of heaven. Let this Saviour be my
 Saviour, my Ruler. Let my soul prosper and be in health, in that
 peace and righteousness which his government brings. Let me have
 victory over the lusts that war against my soul; and let Divine
 grace subdue my heart. The duty which the Lord has made, brings
 light with it, true light. The duty this privilege calls for, is
 here set forth; the sacrifices we are to offer to God in
 gratitude for redeeming love, are ourselves; not to be slain
 upon the altar, but living sacrifices, to be bound to the altar;
 spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise, in which our hearts
 must be engaged. The psalmist praises God, and calls upon all
 about him to give thanks to God for the glad tidings of great
 joy to all people, that there is a Redeemer, even Christ the
 Lord. In him the covenant of grace is made sure and everlasting.