July 7
A MOUNTAIN CHOIR
"Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into
singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will
have mercy upon his afflicted." Isa. 49:13
So sweet are the comforts of the Lord, that not only the saints
themselves may sing of them, but even the Heavens and the earth may
take up the song. It takes something to make a mountain sing; and yet
the prophet summons quite a choir of them. Lebanon, and Sirion, and
the high hills of Bashan and Moab, He would set them all singing
because of Jehovah's grace to His own Zion. May we not also make
mountains of difficulty, and trial, and mystery, and labor become
occasions for praise unto our God? "Break forth into singing, O
mountains!"
This word of promise, that our God will have mercy upon His
afflicted, has a whole peal of bells connected with it. Hear their
music -- "Sing!" "Be joyful!" "Break forth into singing." The Lord
would have His people happy because of His unfailing love. He would
not have us sad and doubtful; He claims from us the worship of
believing hearts. He cannot fail us: why should we sigh or sulk as if
He would do so? Oh for a well-tuned harp! Oh for voices like those of
the cherubim before the throne!