Psalm 65:10, 11
When children of God speak about spiritual matters, their faith will manifest itself. When they speak about natural things they often sound no different from the world. They may not with the world call incidents the work of mother nature. They may not say with the unbeliever that they were "lucky" or "had bad luck." But because they do not have God in all their thoughts, they often speak in a way that renders no praise to God, even though that is our calling.
It is very revealing and instructive to notice what David wrote in Psalm 65:10-11. He wrote, "Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: Thou settlest the furrows thereof: Thou makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness: and Thy paths drop fatness."
Did you notice the emphasis upon the words "Thou and Thy," ascribing what happens in natural life to God and His goodness? Read these verses again and put emphasis upon "Thou and Thy". The world will say, "It rains and pours outside." Or "It is snowing again." Faith would say, "God is sending abundant rain." Or, "It pleases God to make the snow fall again." Faith will sing a versification like this (PRC Psalter):
The furrows sown with living grain,
Are softened by Thy gentle rain
The springing corn to bless.
The year with goodness Thou dost crown:
Rich gifts in mercy sending down
To cheer the wilderness.
How different it all is going to be in the new Jerusalem, when all sin is rooted out of our bodies, and we are completely freed from the old man of sin. Then we are not all simply going to speak one language, regardless of what nation, tongue, or tribe we belonged to here below. But we are always in everything going to speak praises of God.
Read what Peter wrote for our instruction, but also for our comfort: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye may shew forth the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (I Peter 2:19).
That should be manifested now in our life here below.
Read: I Peter 2
Psalter versification: #169:2
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #329
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezekiel 18 ; Ezekiel 19:1-14
Hebrews 9:1-10
Psalm 106:32-48
Proverbs 27:10
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Quote for Reflection:
“Be humble. Be lowly. The best man in the church is the man who is willing to be a doormat for all to wipe their boots on, the brother who does not mind what happens to him at all, so long as God is glorified.” -Charles H. Spurgeon
Additional Info
- Date: 8-November
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.