THE WORKS OF THE LORD

God has shown His works in His wonderful universe. He rested on the seventh day, for all was “good” and “very good”. But the sabbath was broken by man’s sin. Henceforth God would be working for man’s recovery. Daily He rose early and all day long stretched forth His hands imploring men to return, for they made Him serve with their sins and wearied Him, Jer. 7. 13; Isa. 43. 24; Rom. 10. 21. This ceaseless activity through His prophets was continued by the Lord Jesus, as He stated, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work”, John 5. 17.

These spiritual works of the Lord are great, and are sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, Psa. 111. 2. As we so do, we exclaim, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”, Psa. 107. 21-22. Sacrifices of thanksgiving will follow, and the declaring of His works in testimony. Especially in the remembrance feast will His works be recalled, Psa. 111. 4.

As believers, we gladly own that “it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves”, Psa. 100. 3, for we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus”, Eph. 2. 10. Thus “if any man be in Christ there is a new creation”, 2 Cor. 5. 17 R.V. marg, in which “all things are of God”, v. 18; Eph. 4. 24.

Such a perfect work of God in re-creation moves the heart to pray, “strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us”, Psa. 68. 28, and “let thy work appear” in our fives, Psa. 90. 16, so that Christ may be formed in us, Gal. 4. 19.

To this end God is working in us that which is wellpleasing in His sight, Phil. 2. 13; Heb. 13. 21. He who saved us apart from our works, calls us unto good works, Eph. 2. 10, concerning which we are to be zealous, Titus 2. 14, diligently maintaining them, 3. 8. So we shall justify the faith that alone justified us, James 2. 17, for faith works by love, Gal. 5. 6. Whilst so working, our prayer will be, “establish thou the work of our hands”, Psa. 90. 17.

We shall also lift up our eyes on the harvest fields, praying the Lord to thrust forth labourers into the harvest, knowing that a man who sleeps in harvest is one that causes shame, Prov. 10. 5.

“Work: for I am with you, saith the Lord”, Hag. 2. 4.