January 28

I create the fruit of the lips. - Isaiah 57:19.

TWO inquiries must be here made. What is intended by the fruit of the lips, and how it is produced? With regard to the first, we know, from the authority of Hosea, and also of the Apostle to the Gentiles, that this intended praise and thanksgiving. The latter, speaking of Christ, says, “By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise unto God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks unto his name.”

And respecting the second God says, “I create the fruit of the lips.” He does this two ways: HE produces the subject of this praise; that is, providence, with its unnumbered mercies, and the gospel, with all its abundant privileges, promises, and blessings. The former good is often the result of human instrumentality employed by God’s agency. The latter is entirely produced from “the good pleasure of his goodness.” “He hath saved us. and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” This, therefore, is entirely supernatural; this comes alone from him without interference on our side, opposed to all our desert, and distinguished from all desire and preparation for the reception of it. Nothing can deserve our praise like the gospel. It is owing to the gospel that our country has risen to such distinction and preeminence. Oh that we esteemed it more highly than we do! God also produces the disposition itself.

The application of the gospel is from him as well as the existence of it. “Not unto us, therefore,” we are constrained to say, “not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name be the glory, for thy mercy and thy truth’s sake,” if a Saviour has not only been provided for us, but received by us. While we praise him for the seasons of the year, the beauties of nature, and the bounties of providence, let us adore and bless him for the unsearchable riches of Christ. In thus blessing God that we have been enabled to receive the gospel in the love and in the blessedness of it, we shall be yielding unto him the fruit of our lips, and he who thus “creates the fruit of the lips” will accept and honour it, for he says, “Whosoever offereth praise glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.”