what shouts of joy would echo
through the vast expanse of hell. By Charles Simeon. Psalm 116
verse 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits
to me? A cold or languid expression
of gratitude is utterly unsuited to the marvellous mercy and grace
which He has freely given to us in salvation. All that is
within us should praise Him for His wondrous redemption of such
hell-deserving sinners as we truly are. If we would form a
just idea of the gratitude which Jesus deserves from us, then
let us imagine ourselves suffering the deserved wrath of God in
eternal fire. In the same way, how would the
fallen angels who are now in hell rejoice to be restored to
the bliss of heaven? How would each one break forth
into singing? What shouts of joy would echo
through the vast expanse of hell? Precisely thus ought we believers
to be astonished with our glorious salvation from sin and hell. The more we contemplate Christ's
redeeming love for us, the more will a sacred ardor glow within
our bosoms to bless and praise Him for His wondrous salvation.
How much reason we have to exalt our adorable Redeemer, who has
redeemed us with His precious sin-atoning blood. Let us then
sing and shout for joy. let the mercy and love and grace
which He has given in our redemption be the special subjects of our
praise. Thus shall we be prepared to
join the heavenly choir and to sing hallelujahs to God and to
the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelation 1 verses 5 and 6 All
glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by
shedding His blood for us. To Him be glory and power for
ever and ever. Revelation 5 verses 12 and 13,
in a loud voice they sang, worthy is the lamb who was slain to
receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise. Then I heard every creature in
heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and
all that is in them singing, to him who sits on the throne
and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever
and ever. Revelation 7 verses 9 to 12,
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude
that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people,
and language, standing before the throne and in front of the
Lamb. They were wearing white robes,
and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried
out in a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits
on the throne, and to the Lamb! All the angels were standing
around the throne and around the elders and the four living
creatures. They fell down on their faces
before the throne and worshipped God, saying, Amen, praise and
glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.