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Do You adore the mercies of God ???
Posted : 24 Aug, 2013 02:14 AM
Psalm 119:156 Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord; quicken me according to Your judgments.
It is most cheering to pass from judgment to mercy-from the
awful state of the wicked, to adore the mercies of God to His
own people. We were naturally no better than they. The most
eminent saved sinner looks on himself with wonder-"Is not this
a brand plucked out of the fire?" Never will he lose the
remembrance-"Who makes you to differ?" To mercy-rich
mercy alone- we trace the distinction between those that are
"quickened," and those that remain "dead in trespasses and
sins."
But let us mark the features of this mercy. How great in
extent! Estimate its greatness by the infinite debt which it blots
out-the eternal ruin from which it saves-the heavenly crown to
which it raises. Trace it to the mind of God- that first eternal
purpose of mercy, which set us apart for His glory. Mark it in
that "time of love," when His mercy rescued us from Satan,
sin, death, and hell, and drew us to Himself. As soon might we
span the arch of heaven, as fully grasp the greatness of His
mercy. And then how tender is it in its exercise! Such was the
first beam of mercy that "visited us." Such has been the
continued display. So natural, as from a Father. So yearning,
"as one whom his mother comforts!" Such a multitude of those
tender mercies! The overflowing stream follows us through
every step of our wilderness journey. The blessing
"compasses us about," abounds towards us, keeps us
steadfast, or restores us when wandering, and will preserve
us to the end. Happy are we-not in the general perception-not in the hearsay report-but in the experimental enjoyment of it.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His
holy name." But what poor returns have we made for this
infinite love! Surely the petition for quickening grace suits us
well. This was the constant burden of David's prayer. For he
was not like many professors, who can maintain their
assurance in a lower and careless walk. No, he was a believer
of a very high standard; desirous not only of proving his title to
the blessing, but of living in its habitual and active enjoyment.
Often as this petition has been brought before us, in the
course of this Psalm, it is too important ever to be passed
over. Let us at this time use it for the purpose of individual
self-inquiry. In what respects do I need quickening grace? Are
my views of sin, and especially of the sin of my own heart,
slight and superficial? Do they fail in producing humility,
abasement, tenderness of conscience, circumspection of
conduct? If it be so-Quicken me, O my God! Does my
apprehension of a Savior's love serve to embitter sin to me?
to crucify sin in me, to warm and enliven my heart with love to
Him, and zeal in His service? If I am convicted of coldness to
such a Savior, and sluggishness in such a service, I need to
pray-O Lord, quicken me! And how do I find it with regard to
prayer itself? Are not my prayers general-infrequent-
wandering? Is not my service too often constrained, a forced
duty, rather than a privilege and delight? O Lord, quicken me!
Yet many Christians, through a mistaken perception, know not
when they have received the blessing. They have looked for it
in strong and sensible excitement; and in defect of this they
sink into despondency. Whereas the solid influence is
independent of sensations, and consists in a tender sensibility
of sin, a spiritual appetite for the gospel, active energy in
Christian duties, and continual progress in heavenly
exercises. But under no circumstances must the evil of a dead
and drooping state be lightly thought of; obscuring as it does the difference between the believer and the worldling, or
rather between the believer and the formalist. O believer, you
have great need to carry your complaint again and again unto
the Lord! 'Quicken me-quicken me- according to Your
judgments-according to those gracious promises, which are
the method of Your proceedings, and the rule of Your
dispensations of grace.' You cannot be too earnest to
welcome the breathings of the Spirit, or too cautious, that your
indolence resists not His Divine impression. When He
quickens you with His influence, do you quicken Him with your
supplications-"Awake, O north wind; and come, you south:
blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out."
Persuade-entreat-constrain His stay. Enlivened by His energy,
how happy, and in your own sphere how useful, a member of
the Church of Christ you may be found! Your soul will be
invigorated-your graces strengthened-and your affections
elevated-in humble, cheerful, steady dependence upon the
Savior, and in daily renewed devotedness to His service. The
more the spiritual life is thus "exercised unto godliness, the
more delightfully will you realize the active service and
everlasting praise, which will constitute the perfection of
heavenly enjoyment."
by
Charles Bridges
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mcubed
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Do You adore the mercies of God ???
Posted : 27 Aug, 2013 09:44 PM
Yah I do adore the mercies of G-d a lot. I have had a sin that soooo easily besets me that I had not fully set aside. I had prayed for months, even years for His help, for His forgiveness. And honestly, latterly, yesterday driving in my car I worshiped Him because there is nothing sweeter than knowing you, I, am forgiven. Right now the exact Psalm does not come to mind but King David said it about whose sin is washed away. There is nothing, no one, like Y-shua! Who can be PERFECT and took my crimes (sin against the most Holly, the only true, living G-d, and still love and want me. Even when I slap Him in the face! G-d is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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