0540. A Call to Praise

A Call to Praise

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men" (Psa_107:8, Psa_107:15, Psa_107:21).

Our key verses occur in three verses in the chapter which we now study. Each time God sets before us the picture of Israel’s grief and God’s deliverance. Then He cries, "Oh that men would praise the Lord." He delivered Israel from her wanderings in the wilderness, He delivered her from her rebellions against His Word, He delivered her from the folly of her transgressions, and each time He cried, "Oh that men would praise the Lord."

For our part we feel that there is no grief quite comparable to the grief that our Lord experiences, when after some marvelous manifestation of His grace, He receives in return no word of praise.

Were there not ten helpless, hopeless, dying lepers cleansed, yet, where were the nine? There returned but one to praise the Lord. How little genuine, heart-felt thanksgiving there is in the believer’s heart.

We are like the little birdling, who opens its mouth to receive, but never seems to praise.

"O by the love that sought us,

O by the Blood that bought us,

O let us not forget, O let us not forget."

We do praise God that a time is coming when every heart and every lip will sound forth praises to our God. But, let not the saved await the time, when they stand before the throne of the glorified Christ. Let them sound forth the praises of their God and of Jesus Christ, now–to-day.

When we bow, at night, by our beds to pray, let us not merely ask, and ask, and ask. We often wonder if God does not weary with our asking. Let us, just once, get down upon our knees and do no more than praise Him. Let us praise the Lord because He hath redeemed us from the hand of the enemy. Let us praise the Lord because He has satisfied our longing soul. Let us praise the Lord because He has broken the gates of brass and cut the bars asunder. Let us praise the Lord because we were prisoners, but now we are free.

"Let us praise the Lord, and exalt Him in the congregation. Let us praise Him in the assembly." "Praise ye the Lord."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR