June 27
Singing in God's Ways
The Christian's Daily Treasury"They shall sing in the ways of the Lord." — Psalms 38:5.
THIS passage furnishes us with two very interesting subjects connected with believers.
THE COURSE THEY PURSUE. "The ways of the Lord." Observe
The properties that belong to them. They are peculiar ways. Thus they differ from all others; those who walk in them are a peculiar people; others take knowledge of them, and they are as men wondered at. They are right ways, all others are wrong. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." They are honorable ways, they are associated with honor, and they lead to honor; those who walk in them shall be made kings and priests unto God. They are diversified ways. Here there is much to be done, suffered, and enjoyed. They are ways of confidence in God and love to him; ways of duty, trial, sacrifice, and self-denial. They are tried ways. What millions have tried them, and all have been perfectly satisfied with them! These are the good old paths in which believers delight to walk.
The term by which they are distinguished. They are emphatically called "the ways of the Lord." But why? Because he reveals them. He has marked them out for us in legible characters in his word. Because they connect us with him. They concern him, bring us near to him; in them we view him, walk with him, trust in him, and lean upon him. Because he puts us in them. By nature we pursue a contrary course, grace turns our feet into the way of peace. Because they lead us finally to him in glory. We begin with the cross, and end with the crown, commence weeping, and terminate rejoicing; but all the joy is not at the end — "they shall sing in the ways of the Lord."
THE FEELING THEY EVINCE. They sing, but do they not sometimes sigh? Yes, there is a mixture of joy and sorrow.
They shall sing for gratitude. Christians cannot be too frequently employed in the heavenly exercise of praise, yet how often are their hearts and their harps out of tune! Sing ye the praises of that God who has not only given you the breath of natural life, but the principle of spiritual being.
They shall sing for joy. They rejoice that at length they have found the way to glory, and are walking in it. Such a cheerful and happy feeling of mind will invite the notice of all around, and those who have joined in the shouts of unhallowed mirth will desire to learn the songs of Zion.