Morning, November 20
Go To Evening Reading
“O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul.”
Lamentations 3:58
Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say, “I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the causes
of my soul;” but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed. “Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul.” Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts
and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our prayer,
that we may have done with the harsh croaking voice of surmise and
suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice
of full assurance. Notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You perceive
there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He doth
not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to
his own merit; but it is “ thou ”—“O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.” A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and
especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for our God.
Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints,
and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of
thanksgiving. How joyful Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord’s mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the
low dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and
yet in the very book which is called “Lamentations,” clear as the song of Miriam when she dashed her fingers against the
tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she met Barak with shouts
of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to heaven—“Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.” O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord’s lovingkindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing
gratefully; shout triumphantly.