_Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory._ GENUINE RELIGIOUS CONSCIOUSNESS I. A consciousness of God’s greatness leading to a contempt for all idols. 1. The majesty of God. (1) God is great in His moral excellence (verse 1). “Mercy” and “truth” lie at the foundation of all... [ Continue Reading ]
_But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased._ THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD Sovereignty signifies, in general, supremacy, the possession of supreme power, a right to govern without the control of another; or, as in our text, a power to act as one pleases. 1. This right is her... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands._ BABYLONIAN IDOLATRY Babylon was a land in which life was overshadowed by a vast idolatry. What this idolatry was, we may see, in part, by a visit to the British Museum. There are to be seen at this hour figures and inscriptions which might... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them._ FALSE RELIGIONS A false religion has all the outward signs of importance. A false religion could not live if it showed only its lying side. Even a lie could not live but for the one grain of truth that may be in it: it... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord hath been mindful of us._ THE MINDFULNESS OF GOD I. Grateful acknowledgment for grace bestowed. Have we not abundant reason, individually and collectively, to say one to another in exhortation, and together in thankful acknowledgment to God, “The Lord hath been mindful of us”? Let us loo... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great._ THE EQUALITY OF SMALL AND GREAT There are thousands of young men and women who retain belief in God, but do not fear Him; cherishing the easy notion that since He is so very good, everything will come right by and by. This is not love.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth._ THE LORD BLESSING HIS SAINTS I. A blessing belonging to a peculiar people, 1. A people whom God has blessed because He willed to do so. 2. A people to whom this first will of God to bless them has been certified by countless acts of indis... [ Continue Reading ]
_The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath He given to the children of men._ THE MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE Our contemplation of the mysteries of the universe is to be associated-- I. With faith. “The heavens are the heavens of the Lord.” All the wonders of unseen worlds are... [ Continue Reading ]
_The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence._ But we will bless the Lord. LIVING PRAISE The living God should be adored by a living people. A blessing God should be blessed by a blessing people. When we bless Him we should not rest till others do the same: we should cry t... [ Continue Reading ]