Psalm 105:3 Glory you in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. I. WHO ARE TO REJOICE? Only those who seek the Lord. When are you to seek? Now. Where are you to seek? In His Word, His promises, His ordinances. Remember, the real seeking of God is when you are drawn by the Holy Ghost. II. THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH BELIEVERS WHO THUS SEEK, AND YET HAVE NOT ALTOGETHER FOUND, CHRISTIAN JOY AND REST, MAY UNDOUBTEDLY REJOICE. Not only is there the certainty of success in the event, but that success implies eternal life. III. WHY WE ARE BOUND TO MAKE IT A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE THAT WE SHOULD REJOICE IN THE LORD. 1. The honour of God Himself is concerned in it. 2. The extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom requires it. 3. Your own personal usefulness, strength, and power to resist evil, is concerned (Nehemiah 8:10). IV. BUT THERE ARE HINDRANCES TO THIS JOY. 1. The great hindrance is, unbelief in the real provisions made in the Gospel of Christ. What is the first idea which crosses the mind of the sinner when he is told that he will have perfect joy? The first idea that arises in his heart is, the news is too good to be true. What is that? It leads to nothing more nor less than that there is unbelief in the promises of the Father. Too good to be true! What does St. John think of this? He who believes this makes God a liar! Too good to be true! It was the very news He was sent to proclaim; it was the good tidings of salvation, and nothing short of salvation, Christ published. Beware, then, of unbelief, for it is a hindrance to all joy. 2. Again, you cannot have joy and indulge in your own sins. Joy in the Lord and joy in the devil cannot go on together. If you love your sin, you hate God. (Bp. M. Villiers.) Parallel Verses KJV: Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.WEB: Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. |
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