Psalm 67:6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. "God, even our own God." What an exceedingly sweet title! What a loveliness and liveliness of heart must have been in the man who first applied that name to God. That word "own," or "our own," seems always to throw an atmosphere of delicious fragrance about anything with which it is connected. If it be our country, "Lives there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said 'This is my own, my native land'?"Whether it be a land of barren heath, or shaggy wood, or a far extended plain — all men love their own fatherland. And so with regard to our homes, our friends, our books, etc. But what shall we say of "our own God"? Words fail to express the depth of joy and delight which this name contains. They seem to be used here as a kind of argument and assurance of the blessing which is foretold "God shall bless us." But we propose simply to keep to the words, "God shall bless us, God shall bless us." They have been sounding in my ears like far-off bells, singing their way with a march of music into the deeps of my soul. Three personified passions will now speak to us, and we with them. I. FEAR. Fear lodges with some as an abiding guest, and is entertained as though she were a dear, familiar friend. She is ever inquiring, "Will God bless us?" and she is full of misgivings and forebodings. But our text makes answer, "God shall bless us, God shall bless us." II. DESIRE. Quick of step, bright of eye, warm of heart, Desire saith, "Ah, God shall bless us, but oh, that we had the blessing! We hunger and thirst after it." The reply to her is, that it will come through the revival of the Church. Then the longed-for conversion of sinners will be seen. God will give us His blessing in measure correspondent to our faith. And it will come when the Church is filled with intense desire for it, and sets herself to pray for it. To the more spiritual there are certain signs which assure them that the blessing is coming. As to Elijah, the signs of abundance of rain were evident; and to Columbus, of land not far off by the sight of land birds and floating pieces of sea-weed, and broken pieces of wood. So to the spiritually minded there are sure signs of coming blessing. III. HOPE. Behold her — the sweet, bright-eyed maiden, Hope. Have you never heard the story of her matchless song? She learned in her youth a song which she sings evermore to the accompaniment of a well-tuned harp. Here are the words of her enchanting lay, "God will bless us, God will bless us." She has been known to sing this in the midst of tempests, and calms have followed the soothing song. She has been often heard singing this in the night, and lo! stars have suddenly shone out of the black sky. Once on a time, certain strong labourers were sent forth by the great King to level a primeval forest, to plough it, to sow it, and to bring Him the harvest. They were stouthearted and strong, and willing enough for labour, and well they needed all their strength, and more. One stalwart brother was named Industry — consecrated work was his. His brother, Patience, with thews of steel, went with him, and tired not in the longest days, under the heaviest labours. To help them they had Zeal, clothed with ardent and indomitable energy. Side by side, there stood his kinsman Self-denial, and his friend Importunity. These went forth to their labour, and they took with them, to cheer their toils, their well-beloved sister, Hope; and well it was they did, for the forest trees were huge, and needed many sturdy blows of the axe ere they would fall prone upon the ground. One by one they yielded, but the labour was immense and incessant. At night when they went to their rest, the day's work always Seemed so light, for as they crossed the threshold, Patience, wiping the sweat from his brow, would be encouraged, and Self-denial would be strengthened, for they heard a sweet voice within sing, "God will bless us, God, even our own God, will bless us." They felled the giant trees to the music of that strain; they cleared the acres one by one; they tore from their sockets the huge roots; they delved the soil, they sowed the corn, and waited for the harvest, often much discouraged, but still in silver chains and golden fetters by the sweet sound of the voice which chanted so constantly, "God, even our own God, shall bless us." They never could refrain from service, for she never could refrain from song. They were ashamed to be discouraged, they were shocked to be despairing, for still the voice sang out clearly at morn and eventide, "God will bless us; God, even our own God, will bless us." You know the parable, you recognize the voice; may you hear it in your souls always. ( C. H. Spurgeon.). Parallel Verses KJV: Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.WEB: The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us. |
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