The Chief Part of Thankfulness

O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.” As soon as the Lord opened the heart of the poet, his mouth began to overflow. He desired to acknowledge God for His great goodness, and he wished others to join in with him. He especially stirs up God’s people to praise and magnify the Almighty. Why? For what reason? His deeds must be made known far and wide. Therefore, “Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works.” Oh, children of God, declare the Lord’s benefits. “

Make known His doings far and near

That peoples all His name may fear,

And tell, in many joyful lay,

Of all His wonders day by day.

Are there some readers whose heart is stirred up? Who are given to look forward to Thanksgiving Day? The psalmist exhorts, “Glory ye in His holy name.” It is such a good portion to thank the Lord. Look back at the season past, observe the blessings received outwardly and, we hope, inwardly. From where did they come? Is it not from the Lord, from the Fountain of all good? Moreover, is it not all undeserved? Has that ever become a wonder for us?

If you read this Psalm from verse 5 onwards, you notice that the prophet relates an account of God’s dealings with His people Israel. He delivered them from Egypt’s bondage with a mighty hand, led them faithfully through the wilderness, and gave them the promised land. He remembered His covenant.

However, between the opening verses and the testimony of history, the poet paused. Before he reminded the people of what the Lord had done in former days, he desired to exhort them: “Seek the LORD, and His strength: seek His face ever more.” Is He not worthy to be served? Should not His goodness lead us to repentance? Ought we not to call upon His name? Our catechism teaches so truly that prayer is “the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us.”

Is that so impossible for you? Do you look up against Thanksgiving Day as a mountain too high? Can you not come where the poet was brought? He could sing in truth: “Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.” Your condition is described in Psalm 80 (Psalter 221:2):

O haste, Lord, to hear us and pity our woes,

Affliction our portion, despised by our foes.

Listen to our poet: “Let the heart of them that rejoice seek the LORD.” It is a personal case between the Lord and your soul. Oh, He is able to change your heart, to soften it, to make it contrite and humble, to come over and break the bonds, to pour balm into your wounds, to comfort all that mourn, to gladden all the sorrowful. Does not your heart cry out unto God? Do no sighs escape your bosom? Are you not panting after the living God? Have you not been trying to beg, “When shall I come Thy gracious face to see”? Then you are also seeking the Lord, and that is surely not a portion you wish to exchange with those whose corn and wine increased. In seeking of God’s countenance and in yearning after Him lies an inner sweetness and joy which is so blessed, even while at times your tears multiply. That is also Thanksgiving Day.

Seeking the LORD is such a good thing. The psalmist encourages it; he tells us this should be our aim, but who shall do it? Who only is made a true seeker? None but those who are shown what they miss. Do not think this our portion by nature. We say with the Laodiceans: “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” That we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, we know not. Instead, we vie with the rich young ruler for the highest place: “What lack I yet?” Then we do not pray, and we do not give thanks. It is a great blessing to have our poverty uncovered unto us by God’s Spirit, to be made a lost sinner, for then immediately the sighs and groanings are wrought in our soul as well. As soon as Saul was struck down on the way to Damascus, he uttered his first prayer and sought the Lord in truth. “Behold, he prayeth.” Is that not a good thing?

“Seek the LORD, and His strength.” This admonishment is stronger than the one in verse 3. It speaks of a very earnest and very early seeking. However, there is a remnant who experiences times that when their needs become greater, their seeking does not become more diligent. When the troubles of their heart are enlarged, when the floods are about to overwhelm their soul, then their strength is failing, their seeking falters, their cries become so feeble. They bow their head in shame, they are so unworthy, they cannot pray, they dare not seek. Are you such a one? Listen then to the poet: “Seek the LORD, and His strength.” He is the faithful Covenant-God. He will never forsake the works of His own hands. He is the almighty and the only wise God. Nothing is too wonderful for Him. Yes, He has laid up help with One that is mighty, and He is strong to save. His name is Mighty God. Seek not yourself nor your own strength. Take refuge unto the LORD. Is there no room under the shadow of His wings? Is He not the Strong Tower and the only Hiding Place? “Seek the LORD, and His strength.”

In the text the poet says one more thing, but what blessed instruction he gives. “Seek His face evermore.” That is now a wonder for those perishing creepers, who do not know the way, who cannot find the way, who wander here below in this waste howling wilderness. What did this same God say to David in Psalm 32? “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Then you may see His face. A denying Simon Peter is drawn by secret cords of love, and his eye is caught by the suffering Saviour, for “the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter.” His kindly face gives happiness and grace, for that face testifies of His unfailing love and mercy.

Do you hear it, troubled souls? The Lord Himself comes by His Word and Spirit to stir you up, for He desires to have communion with you. “Seek His face evermore.” Do seek Him in the inner chamber, but also seek Him in His house; seek Him in His temple where He is pleased to dwell and manifests His grace. Who can tell what wonder might happen in the preaching or reading of His Word? “Seek His face evermore.”

Is that not a privilege? A great privilege? The psalmist exhorts us to seek the LORD’s face “evermore.” Let then God’s house not only be opened on the Lord’s Day but also on Thanksgiving Day, and even as there was a morning sacrifice and an evening sacrifice, let that also be done on this day. Come, the Lord is so worthy to be praised. People of God, can we ever do this enough? Testify now, has it already become the desire of your heart to seek the LORD’s face evermore?

Seek ye Jehovah and His power,

Seek ye His presence every hour.

“Seek the LORD, and His strength: seek His face evermore.” A time shall come, waiting people, that you will not have to seek anymore. One time you shall find Him because you shall be found of Him, and then you shall not have to seek His face evermore, but you shall see His face evermore. Then we shall give thanks unto Him for ever and for ever. “As for me,” sings David, “I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” p

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Terug naar resultaten Printen