Psalm 48:13a
If there ever was a man Who was not selfish, and if there ever was one Who looked out for the good of others and was willing to lose all that others might gain what man never had before, it was our Savior. He went to hell so that we might go to heaven. He never hesitated because of what it would cost Him. He was concerned with what would bring us joy and blessedness. And as members of his body we have a calling to follow His example.
The psalmist points this out when, having written that we should walk about Zion and tell her towers, mark her bulwarks, and consider her palaces, he writes: "That ye may tell it to the generation following" Psalm 48:13b. Our versification explains it this way (PRC Psalter):
To all the coming race
Repeat the message o'er;
This mighty God of grace
Is ours forever more;
Yea, He our Savior will abide
And unto death will be our guide.
We must be concerned about the whole church of God and want those following us to enjoy spiritual blessedness. We must walk about Zion and go round about her, not as tourists who go for their own flesh's pleasure, but so that we can tell our children how great our righteous God is, and teach them to put their trust in Him and His Son through Whom we have salvation and everlasting glory.
That does not simply mean our own flesh and blood. Surely we must do all we can to enrich their spiritual lives and knowledge. But the psalmist speaks of the whole coming generation. The exhortation then comes to the childless and unmarried as well as to parents.
It means that the church today must study and develop in the truth so that Satan and his host, coming with crafty, subtle, false doctrines, does not mislead them; but that they may see the wonderful work Christ performed for us, may see the greatness of our God, and may then lead the next generation into the rich truth as it is in Christ. Our great God must be greatly praised. And we should do all we can to bring the coming generation into a richer, not poorer, praise to God.
Read: Deuteronomy 6
Psalter versification: #133:3
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #156
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezekiel 47 ; Ezekiel 48:1-35
1 Peter 2:11-25 ; 1 Peter 3:1-7
Psalm 119:49-64
Proverbs 28:12-13
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Quote for Reflection:
"… God did not so create the world once that he did afterward depart from his work; but that it standeth by his power, and that the same God is the governor thereof who was the Creator. We must well think upon this continual comforting and strengthening, that we may remember God every minute." – John Calvin
Additional Info
- Date: 24-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.