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Title: A Cause for Great Joy! Post by: nChrist on November 12, 2010, 03:06:06 PM A Cause for Great Joy! From Timeless Grace Gems (http://gracegems.org/Smith1/a_cause_for_great_joy.htm) by James Smith, 1860 "Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted; shout, depths of the earth. Break out into singing, mountains, forest, and every tree in it. For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and has glorified Himself in Israel!" Isaiah 44:23 Here we see the attributes of God displayed in the redemption and salvation of His people. He has glorified His wisdom — in the wondrous plan of salvation, which secures the rights both of God and man. He has glorified His love — in giving His Son for their ransom, their Redeemer, and Deliverer. He has glorified His justice — in the death of their Surety. He has glorified His law — in the obedience and sufferings of their Head. He has glorified His power — in their new creation, conversion, and consecration to Himself. He has glorified His holiness — in their sanctification, separating them from the world, and conforming them to Himself. He has glorified His mercy — in delivering them from misery. He has glorified His wealth — in raising them from poverty. He has glorified His truth — in bringing them into submission to His will. He has glorified His righteousness — in their justification. He has glorified His grace — in every part of their salvation. In a word, He has glorified . . . every perfection of His nature, every principle of His government, every precept of His law, and every feature of His character — in their redemption and salvation! O how happy this should make us! To be saved at all, is cause for the greatest joy — but to be saved thus — for God to be so greatly, and eternally glorified in saving us — should fill us with ecstatic delight! Sing then, O heavens! Shout, O earth! for the work is worthy of the praise we call for, and the Lord has a just claim upon all the redeemed. Grace and truth working in us, will inspire us with gratitude, and make our feelings correspond with the prophet Isaiah. Every soul that thus feels, and thus desires God to be praised and glorified — has an evidence of grace, and a fitness for glory begun. But the person who can read, or hear of the wonders of redeeming love, and the mighty works of the Lord in saving His people, and feel no gratitude — has either no grace, or it is at a very low ebb! The Lord's people should, every one of them, seek grace to obey the prophet's call, and unite as with one heart and voice in singing His praise, publishing His glorious deeds, and honoring His thrice blessed name. Redeemed, and redeemed by the Lord! Redeemed, and redeemed from sin, Satan, death, and hell! Redeemed, and so redeemed — as that God is glorified in His nature, government, and perfections in redeeming us! O how wonderful! O how glorious! Well then may we unite in the cry, "Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted; shout, depths of the earth. Break out into singing, mountains, forest, and every tree in it. For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and has glorified Himself in Israel!" |