|
|
TO OUR SHAME
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." (Psa. 32:11)
I've just been reading Dr. Norman B. Harrison's little booklet entitled, "His Joy". I am pressed in mind to share a few comments which truly arrested my attention. Bear with me as I share a few lines:
"The Call To Rejoice And Give Praise"
A legend tells of two angels being sent forth from the Throne, each with a basket, the one charged with gathering up the prayers of God's people, - the other with receiving their praises. Very soon the first angel returned with his basket full to overflowing, so many were the petitions His people had to present.
The second angel was gone a long time and finally returned with the bottom of his basket scarcely covered, so few were the praises His people had to offer.
All to true, be it said to our shame, is the picture thus drawn. How long, we wonder, will our God be patient with the selfishness that asks and keeps asking, while the heart is so slow, and the lips are so silent in the matter of acknowledging blessings so bounteously and graciously bestowed.
Surely this could not continue if we but realized how precious to God are His people's praises.
The Psalmist said: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." (Psa. 103:1,2)
A rebuked preacher,
Lee R. Russell
Used by permission |
|