YOU HAVE MADE ME GLAD!
Psalm 92: 1-4
|
A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe |
As we consider this psalm for the Sabbath, I am reminded of a scene in a movie called: Fiddler on the Roof. The Jewish family was in the kitchen hurrying to finish preparations for their Lord's Day which would begin when the sun went down. One of the children was posted to keep an eye on the sun and the rest of the family scurried here and their to get all of their weekly labors done so that they could properly enjoy the Sabbath rest.
Because of the sometime necessity of having papers graded to hand out on Monday morning for school, I have often observed a Sabbath rest in this same manner. Even on the world wide web, my wife's store page closes promptly at midnight GMT. In our area that is eight o'clock in the evening. Then, twenty-four hours later we are open again on Sunday evening. For those of you who have interesting schedules, you may also find it necessary to be creative in your observance of the Lord's Day as well.
But, however you do so - we are all commanded to set apart a time, one day in seven for worship and rest. In our text for today the psalmist sings of the blessings that became his through sitting aside one day in every seven. May we be instructed and encouraged by his experience.
In verse one, our psalmist reminds us that "it is good to praise the Lord" whose Name is mentioned seven times in this psalm. Like all aspects of God's encouragements, giving praise is for our eternal and material benefit. Well did the Apostle Paul insist that there is a probable relationship between a proper celebration of communion and personal health. In our time when we are faced with an accelerating worldly rat race and negative feelings of frustration, it is good to pause and to praise the God of creation. In times past when labor was accomplished by horse power, my grandfather always knew who would have to replace horses in the middle of the summer. It was those who pushed their animals through the weekends.
Even businesses that push their employees to the maximum effort have to learn that there are limits. I once had a supervisor who announced that if she called us at two o'clock in the morning we should joyfully come in to help her plan our work! She tried it once and those who were called immediately called her superior to tell him what they thought of the idea.
Everyone needs time off to rest from their labors. I believe that that is one of the great secrets of productivity in this country, the fact that we have had in the past specific times for labor and specific days set aside for rest. I remember the seventies when we had the great energy crisis and fuel went up and up in the midst of a recession. The estimate was that we were using about 15% more fuel than was common. Was it mere coincidence that it was that very year when the blue laws in this country were voted out or ignored by virtually the whole retail business community?
In case you are young enough to wonder what the blue laws were all about. Time was, when a sabbath's rest was mandated by legislative action. In most towns, the gas stations would take a turn being open for customers with an emergency, then the rest of the month they would be closed. Divide 100% by seven days and you'll have a hint as what possibly sparked the great energy crisis of the Carter administration! Since then, Sunday sales have risen just about every year to the point where it is the most prosperous sales event of the week!
The Christian Sabbath of my youth is but a dim and distant memory. I still think that there was more than just a passing link between my father's life long observance of a sabbath's rest and the fact that his farm is one of the few that were completely paid off! From the beginning of time, the Lord God of heaven established the pattern of a seventh days rest. And it is a blessing to those who are able to take advantage of it. But let us not forget that there is a purpose to the privilege.
See verse one: It is good to praise the Lord. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us be glad and praise His holy name! In the second phrase of verse one and verse two we find three aspects of this precious praise. We are to make music, and we are to proclaim God's love and His faithfulness. Sometime you should take a hymnbook home and look at how the music and tunes are arranged topically to provide praise for every possible attribute of our heavenly creator.
Yes, I know that it is the old hymns that you fondly remember which you enjoy the most and sing the best. Simple words and simple tunes quickly become traditions. Unfortunately in our time the general population is not being taught to sing. Music in the public schools is more "appreciated" than enjoyed. In a few years, the shortage of people capable of playing instruments may severely limit the worship of our churches. This one reason why simple praise choruses are being so widely used, it is also why music in so many congregations has been reduced to audience appreciation of professional performance.
Singable songs, even new ones, can lift a person's spirits so that they can look up to heaven. We see how this gladness may infect us by focusing on the deeds and works of our heavenly Father. How great these deeds and works really are to those who know the Father's mercy and grace. Morning and evening we are called to praise our glorious Father in heaven.
We see in verse three that our praises may be accompanied with instruments. Now we have to be careful that instrumentation does not become and end in itself. The organ and guitar are meant to help us with the phrases and rhythms that we sing. Too many hymnbooks have been spoiled by professional musicians who choose tunes because of their technical brilliance instead of their simplicity for use.
Our last verse this morning gives us the purpose for singing: For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. Here we are reminded of our proper focus in singing, praising and worshiping our God and King. He has made us glad with the joy of salvation and all of His marvelous works.
Remember when the Berlin Wall came tumbling down and all of the Soviet's horses and men couldn't put Marx and Lenin together again? Remember what a great relief that was, the cold war was finally over after a whole generation of military competition. One day, the wall was there, and the next it was gone, a new world order began and for the first time in decades people in Eastern Europe had joy, gladness and hope. I am certain that that falling was one of the greatest works of our God in this twentieth century. Without a war, without sacrifice and destruction, an evil empire sank into oblivion.
And so it is in all times and places, the Lord works His mighty will and we realize the benefits and comprehend the blessings of His almighty rule. Praise the Lord and forget not His benefits, we are reminded from Scripture. This is the reason for the Lord's Day, to come together and worship Him in awe and joy, giving Him the honor and glory due His great Name. May we truthfully say, this day that He has made you glad! Amen.
|
|
Resources Used: |
|
|
Alexander, Joseph. |
Psalms. | |
|
The Holy Bible, New International Version. International Bible Society (1973, 1978, 1984) | ||
|
Psm 092c |
04 January 98 | |