Glad Through His Work

How joyful is the key note of praise which is struck in the first verse of that gladsome 92^nd psalm, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High: To show forth Thy loving kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.”

What causes so jubilant a strain? Why is the heart of the psalmist so joyous? Whence do these praises and thanksgivings flow?

The fourth verse answers these enquiries: “For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work.”

It is the Lord Himself, and His mighty work, with which the speaker is occupied. The person of the Lord and His work cause the full heart to well up in psalms of praise.

Now notice carefully who caused this joy. It was the Lord Himself: none other than that blessed One against whom the psalmist had sinned. Yes, even the Lord Himself had become David’s hiding place, and compassed him about with songs of deliverance, when he sought to flee from His presence.

What else has filled his heart with gladness? “Thou hast made me glad through THY WORK.”

The Lord’s WORK causes the servant’s WORSHIP.

In John 19 we read of His mighty work—that tale of unexampled sorrow. He had come into this world—this valley over which death’s shadow had been cast—to do His Father’s will, and to accomplish that work which none but the “Mighty” One could do, by which rest and joy might be secured to His loved ones; and nothing stayed Him—nothing diverted His onward steps to Calvary’s cross. There, crucified by man’s wicked hands, and bearing in that awful darkness the wrath of God, He, the spotless One, the Lamb without blemish, the sinless Saviour, was forsaken of His God.

But ere He lays down His life, “knowing that ALL things were now accomplished,” He proclaims the welcome tidings, crying with a loud, victorious voice:

“IT IS FINISHED” (v. 30).

He died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; He was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

The fight is over, the victory won, and in triumph the risen Saviour and Lord visits His own, and proclaims the glorious result of His work—

PEACE;

His hands and His side telling them how and when the victory was won.

Now mark the effect: “Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.”

His work had procured peace, and His presence, as alive from the dead, produced gladness.

Surely they could say, and so may all who simply look to Him, “Thou, Lord hast made me glad through Thy work.” It is these praises and thanksgivings for which the Lord looks, in which He delights, by which He is glorified. He is not satisfied until His own are joyous and bright in the knowledge of His victory; and He who brings us up out of the miry clay also puts the new song into our mouths (Ps. 40), and the work by which peace is assured gives joy and delight (Rom. 4:24-25; 5:1-11).

The mighty work, perfectly accomplished, is not only the answer for our conscience, but the pledge of the continuance of His love to us, and power for us.

“Thine arm the victory gaineth

O’er every hateful foe,

Thy love my heart sustaineth

In all its care and woe.”

Soon the full results of His victory will be seen. Throughout a blissful eternity heaven’s arches shall ring with His praises. His own loved ones now delight in chanting with melodious hearts, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father: to Him (who has made them glad through His work) be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

“O Lord, how great are Thy works!

And Thy thoughts are very deep.”

I.Fleming

Scattered Seed 1885, p. 133