Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The psalmist said that
it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. We are reminded
that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning. A man by nature could and would
sooner howl at the moon than give true thanks and praise unto
the Most High God. There is none that doeth good,
there is none that seeketh after God. They have all gone aside
in pursuit of their own way. There is a natural religion that
men gravitate towards, which promotes the worship of a god
or gods which suit their own imagination. David describes
these men and their gods. Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak
not. Eyes have they, but they see not. They have ears, but
they hear not. Noses have they, but they smell
not. They have hands, but they handle not. Feet have they, but
they walk not. Neither speak they through their
throat. They that make them are like unto them, so is everyone
that trusteth in them. These are wheelchair gods. Men
imagine a vain thing, for they will worship gods which have
respect unto their desires and free will, and who act only according
to that which they will allow these gods to do. These gods
are their servants, and are much like the genie in a lamp, which
only has to be rubbed the right way, and voila, their wishes
are granted. The god of present-day so-called
Christianity has no power to save anyone unless they let him
into their hearts, pray the right prayer, or obey his commands.
David said, But our God is in the heavens, he hath done whatsoever
he hath pleased. The natural man is in total rebellion
against him, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast
away their cords from us. Religious men often think themselves
to be in service to him, and often consider it to be a most
useful and proper service, even as Paul did when he was on the
road to Damascus. Yet apart from the gift of God,
they will never be able to praise Him alone, and will continue
on their chosen path, quite content with the traditions and doctrines
of their fathers, ever learning and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth. They will continue to despise
Him who needs nothing and waits upon no one. He is mighty to
save, but they believe they can thwart His will by the exercise
of their own. Yet the true and living God,
who is worthy of all praise, will do according to His will
at all times. This very fact will elicit praise
from those whom He is pleased to enlighten, to understand that
their only hope of deliverance rests in His willingness to show
mercy to those whom He will. How can a ruined sinner find
any help at all in a supposed God who only shows mercy to those
who take the first step towards Him? The Scriptures are abundantly
clear that it is He who draws sinners unto Himself to obtain
that salvation which He has provided according to His purpose, to
save that people which He has loved with an everlasting love.
This is indeed the ground for rejoicing, praise, and thanksgiving
for those so called. There may be many who say, who
will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light
of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my
heart more than in the time that their corn and wine increased.
I both lay me down in peace and sleep, for thou, Lord, only makest
me dwell in safety. David knew the answer to the
question which he posed. He also knew the response which
would come forth from those who have been the recipients of the
manifestation of his goodness. It is a good thing to give thanks
unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High. The
loving kindness of the inapproachable and invisible God has been manifested
in Jesus Christ, our glorious Redeemer. Can the tongues of
the redeemed be silent? Must we not break forth in doxologies
of praise and thanksgiving unto Him who has shed His precious
blood for such unworthy sinners as ourselves? It is a good thing
to magnify His glorious name. Praise God, from whom all blessings
flow. Praise Him, all creatures here
below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost. Amen. And they sung a new song,
saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals
thereof. For Thou hast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
May he ever be praised. Let the saints be joyful in glory.
Let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of
God be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand. Is he the
sole object of your praise? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.