Give Thanks unto the Lord

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:

for his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks unto the God of gods:
for his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: 
for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him who alone doeth great wonders:
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

To him that by wisdom made the heavens:
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

To him that made great lights: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

The sun to rule by day: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

The moon and stars to rule by night: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

And brought out Israel from among them: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

To him which divided the Red sea into parts: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

To him which led his people through the wilderness: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

To him which smote great kings: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

And slew famous kings: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

Sihon king of the Amorites: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

And Og the king of Bashan: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

And gave their land for an heritage: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Who remembered us in our low estate: 
for his mercy endureth for ever: 

And hath redeemed us from our enemies: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Who giveth food to all flesh: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

O give thanks unto the God of heaven: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Psalms 136:1-26

“Getting the Cart Before the Horse”

We hear much today of love, grace, mercy, tenderness, kindness, longsuffering, etc. So much of it is an abuse or misuse and accomplishes very little in the way of saving the lost. Here is the reason that such is the case. Love, etc. only has meaning to the person who is under the guilt of sin. Most people, at least in America, feel no guilt of sin. Thus, they are not interested in love,etc. This is also true of many members of the church regarding their Christian duties.

This is not to say that such people are happy. So many are miserable; but, they do not equate their unhappiness with the fact that they are sinners before God (Romans 3:23). Hence, they continue to seek happiness in the “...lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride (vain glory) of life...” (I John 2:16). WHAT DOES GRACE AND MERCY MEAN TO A PERSON WHO DOES NOT SEE THE NEED OF IT? The answer is: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

God’s grace has also provided God’s Word (the standard of conduct for man) (II Timothy 3:16, 17; James 1:25; Colossians 3:17; John 12:48). The Word of God reveals to man what sin is (I John 3:4; James 4:17); that man is a sinner (Ezekiel 18:14); that he has no one to blame for his sins but himself (Isaiah 59:2); and, that man must change his thoughts, words, and actions to comply withGod’s infallible Word (Acts 17:30; Matthew 3:7, 8; Acts 8:22).This is the approach found in every single, solitary sermon recorded in the Bible that was addressed to men who needed salvation but did not know it!

Until Christians, especially preachers, supply sinners with that specific truth(s) that exposes and condemns their sin(s) we have not loved them enough to provide them with the wherewithal for them to see their need of God’s love, mercy, grace, etc. (Acts 2:23,36; 24:25; Galatians 2:11)! Jesus, our loving Savior, said more about hell and who is going there than anyone else. Does anyone wonder why (Titus 2:11, 12; Revelation 21:8)?

The material above should be among the first things taught one who desires to be a preacher. If one never learns these points, he will misuse and abuse the marvelous and “Wonderful Story ofLove” as well as wonder why he is not an effective preacher.

David P. Brown

 

Him Only


CHORUS:
An ounce of His Favor o'er a ton of sin,
A glimpse of His Smile o'er the praises of men;
A pinch of His Mercy o'er all this world's wealth,
Just one peek at Heav'n o'er a lifetime of health.

 

1. This world has no treasure that I wish to gain,

There's nothing that makes me desire to stay here;

For I'm just a pilgrim and I'm passing through, 

I've a mansion in Heaven: mine free and clear! 

 

CHORUS: 
An ounce of His Favor o'er a ton of sin,
A glimpse of His Smile o'er the praises of men;
A pinch of His Mercy o'er all this world's wealth,
Just one peek at Heav'n o'er a lifetime of health.

 

2. The finest of fineries hold naught for me,

The  sweetest of fragrances have no appeal;

I'd rather have proof to base my faith upon

Than anything anyone else claims to feel.

 

CHORUS:
An ounce of His Favor o'er a ton of sin,
A glimpse of His Smile o'er the praises of men;
A pinch of His Mercy o'er all this world's wealth,
Just one peek at Heav'n o'er a lifetime of health.

 

3. My Counselor, Comforter, Personal Guide,

My Light in the darkness, my own Special Friend; 

O'er all artificial that this world may boast

Him only I trust to guide me 'to life’s end...

 

CHORUS: 
An ounce of His Favor o'er a ton of sin,
A glimpse of His Smile o'er the praises of men;
A pinch of His Mercy o'er all this world's wealth,
Just one peek at Heav'n o'er a lifetime of health.

 

H. L. Gradowith