Another exercise of sacred pleasure is the ways of the Lord!

Posted : 23 Apr, 2013 05:11 AM

Psalm 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto You:

because of Your righteous judgments.





Another exercise of sacred pleasure is the ways of the Lord!

His portion was always satisfying to this holy man, and he was

daily feeding upon it with fresh delight. There was no occasion

for the painful restrictions and mortification of a monastery to

oblige him to self-denying observances. Much less was there

any desire, by these extraordinary services, to work out a

righteousness of his own, to recommend him to the favor of

God. His diligence in this heavenly work was the spontaneous

effusion of a heart "filled with the Spirit." Presenting the

morning and the evening service "seven times a day," was not

enough for him; but he must rise at midnight to continue his

song of praise. These hours sometimes had been spent in

overwhelming sorrow. Now they were given to the privileged

employment of praise. Indeed it seems to have been his

frequent custom to stir up his gratitude by a midnight review of

the Lord's daily manifestations of mercy. A most exciting

example-especially for the child of sorrow, when "wearisome

nights are appointed to him," and he "is full of tossing to and

fro unto the dawning of the day!" Thus "let the saints be joyful

in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds." We observe this

Christian enjoyment under circumstances of outward trial.

When "at midnight-their feet made fast in the stocks-Paul and

Silas prayed, and sang praises to God:" they gave thanks,

because of His righteous judgments. We often complain of our lack of spirituality in the Divine life how much our body hinders the ascent of the soul

heavenwards-how often drowsiness overcomes our evening

communion with our God; the "weakness of the flesh"

overpowering the "willingness of the Spirit." But, after making

all due allowances for constitutional infirmity, how far are we

"instant in season and out of season" in the mortification of

the flesh? Do we earnestly seek for a heart delighting in

heavenly things? The more the flesh is denied for the service

of God, the more we shall be elevated for the enjoyment, and

realize the privilege of the work; and instead of having so

often to mourn that our "souls cleave to the dust," we shall

"mount upwards with eagles' wings," and even now by

anticipation, take our place before "the throne of God and the

Lamb." Such is the active influence of self-denial in exercising

our graces, and promoting our comfort! Oh! how much more

fervent would be our prayers- how much more fruitful in

blessings-were they enlivened with more abundant delight in

the 'angelic work of praise!' (Baxter.) The theme is always

before us. The subject of the heavenly song should constantly

engage our songs on earth-Jesus and His love-the

"worthiness of the Lamb that was slain"-His "power, and

riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and

blessing." Midnight wakefulness would be far sweeter than

slumber; yes, night itself would be turned into day, did the

judgments of God, as manifested in the glory of the Savior,

thus occupy our hearts. Lord! tune my heart to Your praise,

and then no time will be unseasonable for this blessed

employment. Time thus redeemed from sleep will be an

foretaste of the unwearied service of heaven.



by

Charles Bridges

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