"Thanksgiving
Street"
"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me."
"The time of the singing of birds is come," and from
early morning until the sun sets, their sweet notes are a constant reminder of
the duty and delight of thanksgiving. Out of the joy of their hearts they trill
forth their gladness for the sunshine, and the opening flowers, and the
unfolding leaves; and I have heard the same tender song when the rain has
fallen, and cold winds have blown, and dark clouds have swept across the sky.
Many a time have the birds in the garden sung a lesson in my listening ears, and
rebuked my dullness or my unbelief, by their gleeful carolings.
Ah! Dear friends, some of us do not praise our God
half enough. We "raise an Ebenezer" now and then; but we
pitifully fail to obey the command. "Rejoice in the Lord always." Yet,
how much we have to bless Him for, and what sweet encouragement is given to our
gratitude by His assurance, "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me!"
How often are we told, in His Word, that He takes delight in our
thanksgivings and songs! The praise we render is dearer to Him than
that of angels—for they cannot bless Him for redeeming love, for pardoned sin,
and the blessed hope of resurrection glory.
Oh! Is it not to the eternal praise of a
covenant-keeping God, that poor pilgrims, wandering through a wilderness, and
having to wage constant war with the world, the flesh, and the devil, should
yet be enabled to sing gloriously, as they put their enemies to flight, and
overcome by the blood of the Lamb? It is the overcoming ones who learn to
praise. The fingers which can most adroitly use the sword, are the most
skillful in touching the harp. Each time God gives us the victory over sin, we
learn a new song with which to laud and bless His holy Name.
Does it not make your heart leap to know that your
Lord takes pleasure in your praise? In His ears are ever sounding
the eternal symphonies of the universe—that majestic chorus which began "when
the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy;"
but He turns from these to you, and with infinite tenderness and love, bends to
listen to the grateful songs of His redeemed ones, as they bless Him for all
His benefits.
The
feeble notes uttered on earth by a truly thankful and sanctified heart must, I
think, swell into anthems of glorious melody as they rise to the throne of God!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From "A Basket of Summer Fruit" by Susannah
Spurgeon (written after the death of her beloved husband, C. H. Spurgeon). Courtesy of Grace Gems
Amen!
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