The
Lord, our God, is “King of the whole earth. He rules the nations”
(Psalm 46:10; Psalm 47:7-9). The Lord is great. He is “the great King”
(Psalm 48:14). The Lord does not remain detached from us in isolated
heavenly glory. He comes to us as the God of our salvation - “God will
buy me back from the power of hell” (Psalm 49:15). By His Word, spoken
to us and acted out on our behalf, God involves Himself with us as our
Saviour. He is not a God who keeps His distance from us - “Our God will
come.” He is not a God who keeps His silence - “and will not be silent”
(Psalm 50:3). This God comes to us with His promise of salvation - “Call
on Me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honour Me”
(Psalm 50:15). Along with this promise of salvation comes God’s call to
live in faith and obedience: “Bring your thanks to God as a sacrifice,
and keep your vows to the Most High” (Psalm 50:15). To those who walk in
His way, the Lord promises His blessing: “Whoever offers thanks as a
sacrifice honours Me. I will let everyone, who continues in My way, see
the salvation that comes from God” (Psalm 50:23).
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be ...
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