PRAISE THY GOD, O ZION

It is thrilling to learn that we are the special objects of God’s kindness. True, He so loved the world that He gave His Son, but His distinct Fatherly concern is for those who have become His children through faith in Christ, Gal. 3. 26; 1 John 3. 1. Like Israel of old, we can count our blessings and say, “He hath not dealt so with any nation”, v. 20.

The Jews were particularly the object of His protection, v. 13, located in the midst of hostile powers, yet garrisoned by God Himself. Our personal weakness (and even after conversion the believer is frailty incarnate) is cause for much grief, but our God is “of great power”, v. 5. If He is for us, “who can be against us?”, Rom. 8. 31. True blessedness is the knowledge that “he careth for you”, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Israel also enjoyed internal peace, v. 14, and so should we in our hearts, Phil. 4. 7, and in the assembly, 1 Thess. 5. 13. This God-centered serenity will not always still the storms, but it will give the confidence to endure them, Acts 27. 25.

Further, God made material provision for the Israelites, v. 14, supplying the best that this earth could produce as they obeyed Him, Deut. 28. 1-14. But in Christ our blessings are not tied down to the old creation. Rather, we are made rich with heavenly benefits, Eph. 1. 3. One of the significant differences between the O.T. Israel and the believer today is that our wealth, our worship, and even our warfare are primarily spiritual. Are we rejoicing in what God has provided? Let us “go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it”, Josh. 1. 11.

As if to reassure the reader about God’s ability to fulfil His pledges, the psalmist devotes several verses to His power, vv. 15-18. The stability of the created universe is a token of His goodness, for He gives “rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness”, Acts 14. 17. Israel’s greatest privilege was God’s Word, Psa. 147. 19, 20, and we too are entrusted with His precepts to cherish, John 17. 14. Simply to mention these blessings is to strike a note of worship!

“How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things”, Matt. 7. 11.