Spurgeon Archives – Sonshine's Journal

May 26, 2020

Ps 8 “O Lord…How Majestic is Your Name!”

Psalm 8 begins and ends with the same phrase: “O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth,” “We need not wonder at this, for no heart can measure, no tongue can utter, the half of the greatness of Jehovah. The whole creation is full of his glory and radiant with the excellency of his power; his goodness and his wisdom are manifested on every hand.” [Spurgeon]

And yet even though God is majestic and full of splendor, it is the infants and children who understand His majesty more often than those who mature and educated. The Pharisees were angry when the children were crying out in the temple courts “Hosanna to the Son of David,” and Jesus responded, quoting Psalm 8:2. “From the mouths of children and nursing babies, you have ordained praise” Is it your prayer to have such a childlike faith to offer praise as freely as these little ones to the Lord for His power, majesty, and splendor? David’s point was the same as the Apostle Paul’s words: “But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.” [ICor.]

Today may we offer praise to Jehovah for truly He is majestic and full of splendor. The heavens and all of creation resound with his work. “For since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.” [Rom 1] and that is why this statement should bring shudders to our soul: the young child of an atheist couple once asked his parents, “Do you think God knows we don’t believe in Him?” [Dr. Constable] Precious Child, yes, God knows for He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

Today may we meditate upon these words upon our lips: “O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth.”

February 11, 2015

Psalm 19-20 “God in all of His Glory!”

psalm 19 god and his glory revealeda Dr. Henry Morris in reflecting on this psalm wrote: “The 19th psalm is one of the most magnificent writings in the Bible and indeed in all literature. Charles Spurgeon also in reflecting wrote: “Any book without its first page would be sadly imperfect, and especially the great Natural Bible, since its first pages, the sun, moon, and stars, supply light to the rest of the volume, and are thus the keys, without which the writing which follows would be dark and undiscerned

So from a scientist to a theologian we have the same view: God is sovereign and He is revealed in the glorious expanse of the heavens. Thus the words of Paul resonate with our spirits: “For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made” We see them as we stand and view the heavens in the dark of night or the bright light of day. No matter when, God has clearly revealed himself that we may bow our knee in humble adoration and praise him for who he is and for his glorious majesty.

December 30, 2013

Watch Night Service and Praising God

Does your church have a “watch night” service planned for the last night of the year? Many churches offer services held on this evening culminating with rejoicing and feasting after a service of singing, praying and testimonials? In growing up that was one of the highlights of Christmas vacation! I always loved going to be a part of the praise and worship and then after midnight someone would hug me and say “Happy Birthday!” That was a marvelous way to begin not only a new year but also to begin my celebration—even though it was always a bit embarrassing at the moment. Watch-night services are not a new idea; Charles Spurgeon held a “watch-night” service on Dec 31, 1855 and “hoped that the Lord would own the service and thus souls might be saved.” What better place to reflect on the end of one year and the beginning of a new year.

Today’s reading in Psalm 148 to 150 guides in what we could include on this “midnight-eve” time of reflection.

For what to praise: Ps 148: Praise God for his revealed attributes see through his creation: “For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.” [Rom]

With whom and how to praise: Ps 149: Praise Jehovah in the assembly of the godly. “With renewed zeal and fresh delight lift up your song unto Jehovah. Sing unto the LORD a new song. Sing, for it is the fittest method for expressing reverent praise. [C.H. Spurgeon]

Where to praise: Ps 150: Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him when you view the sky; for his mighty acts, his surpassing greatness. Praise him with song and musical instruments. Let us all with one accord praise the Lord.

If your church has not planned such an event, you could invite others to join you in your own “watch-night” time of reflection and praise the Lord using these three psalms. I wish you all blessings from on high as you reflect and pause to praise the Lord for a new year to serve him.

November 13, 2013

Waiting on God!

Devotional for Ps 129-131 There is a familiar hymn many have sung whose first lines go as follows: Speak, Lord, in the stillness, while I wait on thee; Hushed my heart to listen, in expectancy. Little is known about the author, E. May Grimes, other than in 1893 she traveled to S. Africa as a missionary and married Dr. Crawford of the Christian Missionary Society in British East Africa. Since she wrote this hymn many have clung to it in times of travail and trouble Her words have resonated with many across the many years for it reminds us of our posture when we want to hear from God.

The psalmist wrote in these three psalms of the struggles the Israelites had with bordering nations who harassed them often. It is in this frame of reference that he wrote that he wanted his people to wait on God. To help them he reminds them of God’s character which is righteousness; he alone has the power to vanquish their enemies and he is just. A principle was brought forth from this psalm by C. H. Spurgeon: “Never has God used a nation to chastise his Israel without destroying that nation when the chastisement has come to a close: he hates those who hurt his people even though he permits their hate to triumph for a while for his own purpose.” This is a good reminder when we face struggles and onslaughts from the enemy himself. Satan is our foe but he is only allowed a certain time and then God will remove his power and his pointed lance.

In the meantime, the psalmist reminds us in Ps 130 that we are to wait upon Him. Other biblical authors have had the same refrain and we would be wise to heed these words. Why should we wait on the Lord? When we step in and seek to corral the enemy we only stop God from accomplishing His purposes and we find that the battle is far more challenging than we had realized. Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

Today, Beloved Friend, follow the principles given in these psalms: 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. His Word is as it says: Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

May our prayer be “I Will Wait on Him.” May our posture be: Ps 131:2 “Indeed I am composed and quiet,”

September 16, 2013

O Worship the King — Psalm 104

When you woke up this morning did you stop to think of what had gone on from the time you dropped off into slumber-land until you arose? Did you stop to think or consider that unlike machines which often sputter and go clunk (think cars here) our earth has continued on its merry way unfettered without a jerk? God established the earth upon its foundation so it will not totter like a child taking his first steps. “The several motions of our planet are carried on so noiselessly and evenly that, as far as we are concerned, all things are as permanent and peaceful as if the old notion of its resting upon pillars were literally true. With what delicacy has the great Artificer poised our globe! What power must there be in that hand which has caused so vast a body to know its orbit, and to move so smoothly in it!” [Spurgeon]

The Lord God as our God is robed in splendor and majesty. “The Lord is seen in his works as worthy of honour for his skill, his goodness, and his power, and as claiming majesty, for he has fashioned all things in sovereignty,…” [Spurgeon] As Creator, God said “let there be light” and as the Son of God here upon the earth he fashioned, he said “I am the Light of the World.” He was covered with Light as with a cloak to dispel the darkness of sin. How majestic is His Name!

This psalm mirrors Genesis 1 in its order of creation. Whereas Genesis speaks of what occurred, here in Psalm 104 we not only see the creation but hear it as well. “Your shout made the waters retreat; at the sound of your thunderous voice they hurried off.” The mountains rise up with a great crescendo knowing just how far they may rise and no further. Both the mountains and the valleys had appointed places and there they stand fixed from the time of creation. Unlike man who given a task failed, the mountains and valleys in obedience never cross their boundaries. If only we would take a lesson from this picture!

Each creation picture shows us God’s purpose; from the trees which He planted so that the storks seeking safety would find just the right height away from the cacophony of the forest creatures below to the wild goats and the rock badgers finding their place of refuge upon the mountain side. All of God’s creatures do toil from the lion to man. Each works in their perfect time frame and then seek rest. Where do we find our work and our rest?

Truly Romans 1 is so very true: “For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.” Therefore as we begin this new week, may we stop and praise Him for this marvelous creation that is before us. And as you do join in adoration using the hymn: O Worship the King by Sir Robert Grant.

Oh, worship the King, all glorious above.
Oh, gratefully sing his power and his love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.