Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Religious men feel most satisfied
when they can look at the labors of their hands and get a certain
feeling of accomplishment in this or that good deed. They
feel certain that God will be pleased with their efforts and
are amply encouraged in such endeavors by their teachers,
who assure them that to be busy is the most sublime activity
of the children of God. These busy bees look down their
noses at those who do not think that men can help God. Tithing
is often one of these endeavors which is pressed upon believers.
The Lord gave instruction concerning true giving, which is completely
ignored by these religious tax collectors. But when thou doest
alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth, that
thine alms may be in secret. This seems no hindrance at all
to those who will parade what they are doing before the eyes
of others and speak of giving as if it was an investment in
a heavenly stock market, sure to pay big dividends one day.
How foolish are men to consider that corruptible flesh could
work the works of God. There is only one who can work
this work. Rather than exhorting men to perform such work, the
psalmist says, Come and see the works of God. He is terrible
in his doing toward the children of men. The Lord said, This is
the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. He
gave them no hope that they could perform anything that might be
pleasing in His sight. Rather, He told them in no uncertain
terms that only God could perform His work, which is to cause His
own to believe in Him. Isaiah plainly says, But we are
all as an unclean thing, and all of our righteousnesses are
as filthy rags, and we do all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities,
like the wind, have taken us away. If the very best works
we have, that is, our righteousnesses, are as a minstrel's cloth, how
could it be possible that any of us could ever perform any
work that might be acceptable to Him? The preachers of righteousness
which the Lord has sent into the earth are declaring the work
of God, and the people of God are rejoicing in His work. And
all men shall fear and shall declare the work of God, for
they shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall
be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him, and all the upright
in heart shall glory. This is the work of God, to choose
and create a people in Christ unto salvation before the world
began. According as he hath chosen us
in him before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before him in love. This is the work
of God, to predestinate them unto good works. We are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them. This is the work of
God, to perform those works in them. Lord, Thou wilt ordain
peace for us, for Thou hast also wrought all our works in us.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of
His good pleasure. This is the work of God, to make
them acceptable in Christ, to the praise of the glory of His
grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved, in whom
we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace, wherein He hath abounded
toward us in all wisdom and prudence. having made known unto us the
mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he
hath purposed in himself. This is the work of God, to give
them the gift of faith. For by grace are you saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of
works, lest any man should boast. This is the work of God, to give
them eternal life. My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal
life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them
out of my hand. This is the work of God, to call
them at the appointed time. For the promise is unto you and
to your children and to all that are far off, even as many as
the Lord our God shall call. This is the work of God, to keep
them safe and secure unto the end. Faithful is he that calleth
you, who also will do it. This is the work of God, to raise
them from the dead. For our conversation is in heaven,
from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like
unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is
able even to subdue all things unto himself. And finally, that
it is the work of God to prepare for them an eternal dwelling,
and to personally return to gather them to himself. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive
you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. For the
Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and so shall
we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another
with these words. May we ever be given grace to
be thankful for the work of God. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.