March 29

"And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art Thou."

—Revelation 5:9 (R.V.).

THE song of the glorified has three notes in it.

There is the note of Redemption. Thou didst purchase us unto God with Thy blood. The slave of past guilt, of besetting sin, of frailty and futility, of dark despair, Jesus ransomed me. And not by a mere act of sovereignty and might. No, but by breaking the alabaster vase of His unblemished body for me, and by pouring forth the costly spikenard of His blood. Can I ever forget it? will it not be the theme of my praise through the unending years of the future?

There is the note of Royalty. Thou madest us to be unto our God a kingdom. A ruler over myself, a ruler over hindrances and hardships, a ruler over the fear of men which bringeth a snare, a ruler over the dread of death: this I am, by the grace of Christ, even on earth; and in heaven, O thought to quicken the torpid pulses of my soul, I sit down with Him on His own throne, and He shares His great empire with me.

There is the note of Consecration. And priests Thou madest us also. A white-robed, white-souled ministrant, thanking and adoring God with my lips, offering to Him the incense of prayer, presenting to Him continually the sacrifice of my spirit and soul and body, lifting up holy hands in ceaseless intercession that, too, I am, through Jesus Christ my Lord. My whole history is liturgical, sacramental, sacred.

He has done it all. Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing! Worthy only He!

G