Those who live much in refined and educated society acquire refinement insensibly. 19 III. 23:1) I confess all my sins and iniquities, cleanse me with your blood, Lord Jesus . The blood of atonement will never fail. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. G. T. Shedd, D. D.)God's presenceArchbishop Temple. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage [1454] . From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. We could never discharge our duties properly if we were to be perpetually distracted by the consciousness of what was around us: and, above all, we might be daunted by the perpetual thought of the presence of God, and so be paralyzed instead of helped. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. There is, therefore, nothing wrong in our forgetting that we are in the presence of God any more than there is anything foolish in our forgetting that we need air to breathe or light to see by, or that if we fall we may hurt ourselves: just in the same way as we very often, and quite rightly, forget that we are in the company of men who will take notice of our faults. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. Is it not a strange thing that the advanced believer, when he reaches to the very height of piety, just comes to the spot where he commenced? His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. Said Milton, speaking of his travels abroad when a young man: "I again take God to witness that in all places where so many things are considered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all profligacy and vice, having this thought perpetually with me, that though I might escape the eyes of men, I certainly could not the eyes of God."4. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. So, too, by living in the presence of God and, as it were, in the courts of heaven, we shall assuredly learn something of a heavenly tone, and shake off some of that coarse worldliness, that deeply ingrained selfishness, that silly pride and conceit which now spoils our very best service. The text, however, itself, is its own guard. If God makes your son His son also, what do you lose or what does he himself lose? H a man mounted on wings, not those of the sun (Malachi 4:2), nor of the wind (Psalm 18:10), but of the dawn, and pursued the farthest flight westward, if he should fly with the same swiftness as the first rays of the morning shoot from one end of the heavens to the other, still he would not get beyond the Divine presence. How shall we learn to walk by His side? The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. To Dominicus, Bishop. And lest the presence of God should be too much for us, Christ has taken human nature on Him, and has provided that He will be always with us as long as the world shall last. Guest Commentary on Andy Stanley's Sermon: "Speaking the Way the First There is, therefore, nothing wrong in our forgetting that we are in the presence of God any more than there is anything foolish in our forgetting that we need air to breathe or light to see by, or that if we fall we may hurt ourselves: just in the same way as we very often, and quite rightly, forget that we are in the company of men who will take notice of our faults. - the power of the Holy Spirit, which worketh in me now; the promises, so many, so great, and precious, contained in the Holy Scriptures; and my own experience thus far, and that of many others; - all encourage and establish my faith that ' the Lord will perfect that,' etc. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. G. T. Shedd, D. D.: One of the most remark. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. Before the Searcher of hearts all mankind must appeal to mere and sovereign mercy. He sees the whole of everything at the same time. As they are the works of His hands, they must be very dear unto Him, He cannot but love them and delight in them, and He rests in His love. Have you obtained a religion which is not the work of God? "Forsake not the works of Thine own hands." For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. v. 22). Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. III. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. (Admonition 23.) The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. 7 ad 3m II. If that Being has gone down into these depths of human depravity, and seen it with a more abhorring glance than could ever shoot from a finite eye, and yet has returned with a cordial offer to forgive it all, and a hearty proffer to cleanse it all away, then we can lift up the eye in adoration and in hope. He takes His motives entirely from Himself. 7 ad 3m II. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. He who superintends all must be all-seeing, and He who presides over all history must take cognizance of every event. iii. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. 18 " Ep., cxxx. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. This is living with God. Whence our expectations of reward for doing right, of punishment for wrong-doing? : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. In short, to live with God is to be perpetually rising above the world; to live without Him is to be perpetually sinking into it, and with it, and below it. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." What we may comprehend as seeing a slow response is due to God not listening to us, we are not taking time to be patient. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? His omnipotence (vers. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. xlix. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. lxxxv. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me (Psalm 138:8) Thought for the day, Nov 1, 2017 - YouTube 0:00 2:01 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me (Psalm 138:8) Thought. xviii. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius John Edgar McFadyenIntroduction to the Old TestamentLinksPsalm 138:8 NIVPsalm 138:8 NLTPsalm 138:8 ESVPsalm 138:8 NASBPsalm 138:8 KJVPsalm 138:8 Bible AppsPsalm 138:8 ParallelPsalm 138:8 Biblia ParalelaPsalm 138:8 Chinese BiblePsalm 138:8 French BiblePsalm 138:8 German BiblePsalm 138:8 CommentariesBible Hub, (3)Everywhere. The self-knowledge, remember, must come in the one way or the other. 17, 18).2. Ps. S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 19 III. 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. iii. Hilary of PoitiersThe Life and Writings of St. Hilary of PoitiersPsalmsThe piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. The "Lord will," says he, the "Lord will." He looks on all through his life, and he feels sure that what God has done and is doing he will carry on even to the end. and the merit of his perfect obedience is applied to us for our forgiveness. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. lvii. the fear of man, as in the case of the Patriarch, may not bring a snare. Rom. : The fact that God is always present and knows every minute trifle in our lives, and that His unerring judgment will assuredly take count of every detail of our character and our conduct, neither exaggerating nor omitting, but applying absolute justice; this truth is one of those which lose force from their very universality. S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. "(Archbishop Temple. 8). "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God; so shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple, and my complaint shall come before Him; it shall enter even into His ears.--Ps. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatHow those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. See how this works in us rest from fear. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. You shall be kept and perfected by the Lord in whom you trust. The Lord Will Perfect All That Concerns Me Is a Declaration of Faith When David said the Lord will perfect that which concerns me, he was making a declaration of faith. THE RESULT OF THIS CONFIDENCE. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. (Admonition 23.) For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the Great, How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. Those who live much in a court acquire courtly manners. Thoughtfulness soon degenerates into distrust, and holy anxiety easily rusts into unbelief. Psalm 138:8, NASB: The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your faithfulness, LORD, is everlasting; Do not abandon the works of Your hands. That of welcoming the Divine searching (vers. 1. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God; so shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple, and my complaint shall come before Him; it shall enter even into His ears.--Ps. David praises God for the truth of his word4. If that Being has gone down into these depths of human depravity, and seen it with a more abhorring glance than could ever shoot from a finite eye, and yet has returned with a cordial offer to forgive it all, and a hearty proffer to cleanse it all away, then we can lift up the eye in adoration and in hope. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. And this will generally be just when we are tempted to do wrong, or perhaps just when we are actually beginning to do it: some secret sin of which no one knows or dreams perhaps, some self-indulgence, which we dare not deny that God condemns. But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, AthanasiusSelect Works and Letters or AthanasiusCovenant Duties. It is relevant to our daily lives in many ways. The separate, personal thinking of God toward every one of us.(1)Innumerable.(2)Constant.II. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one, Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. When we read the Gospels, we see that our Lord Jesus always took time to retreat to spend time in the presence of His Heavenly Father. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the ever-enduring mercy of the Lord on which he stays himself by means of continued faith and prayer. 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me." ( v.16-17) An enemy is someone who wants harm to come to you either by their own action or by someone else's. Welcome: Take a Survey. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love ." - 1 John 4:18 ESV. 15. And this will generally be just when we are tempted to do wrong, or perhaps just when we are actually beginning to do it: some secret sin of which no one knows or dreams perhaps, some self-indulgence, which we dare not deny that God condemns. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. 8). So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. 7 ad 3m II. Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. IS THERE AN ALL-SEEING GOD? III. His omnipresence. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me(Psalm 138:8 - YouTube Wright, The New Testament and the People of God, 20th centu ry. If we had such a window we should pray for shutters, and should keep them closed.God omniscientWeekly Pulpit. Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. 1. : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. v. 22). Specially with His people. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. The separate, personal thinking of God toward every one of us.(1)Innumerable.(2)Constant.II. vi. He will revive us."--HOS. Ted's Bio; Fact Sheet; Hoja Informativa Del Ted Fund; Ted Fund Board 2021-22; 2021 Ted Fund Donors; Ted Fund Donors Over the Years. If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. 73 views, 1 likes, 0 loves, 2 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Church of the Saviour UMC: Modern Worship, Church of the Saviour - January 29, 2023 The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. A broad confidence. 2. But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, AthanasiusSelect Works and Letters or AthanasiusCovenant Duties. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 7 ad 3m II. Justice, in this reference, is out of the question. The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. In short, to live with God is to be perpetually rising above the world; to live without Him is to be perpetually sinking into it, and with it, and below it. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. 1, 2. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. And how it would bless us! Justice, in this reference, is out of the question. 7. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. 19-22).3. 1. A History of the Half-Way Covenant. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. 24).(W. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be Charles Haddon SpurgeonSpurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859Question of the Contemplative LifeI. The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! The thought will flash across us that God sees us. As low as $30/day. 18 " Ep., cxxx. Give thanks to Him and praise His name! Understand the meaning of Psalms 138:8 using all available Bible versions and commentary. "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? Verse 17: And I was on trial, alone, because nobody else came to stand by me, but Jesus stood by me and strengthened me. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. Ps. Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN KNOWS OF HIMSELF. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. 8). The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. That of welcoming the Divine searching (vers. 1216141335123 . Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration St. It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. He is a man like ourselves; but as we look on him, we note how bright his eye, how radiant his countenance, how calm yet how joyous his tone, how happy in his conviction he seems to be, as he keeps saying to himself, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. And how, through us, others would be blessed! How few are the objects we see even thus externally and partially! His omnipotence (vers. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever: forsake not the works of Your own hands." Psalm 138:8 I HAVE selected this text, or, rather, it has been given to me to furnish a motto for the whole year to all the believing family of God now present. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius John Edgar McFadyenIntroduction to the Old TestamentLinksPsalm 138:8 NIVPsalm 138:8 NLTPsalm 138:8 ESVPsalm 138:8 NASBPsalm 138:8 KJVPsalm 138:8 Bible AppsPsalm 138:8 ParallelPsalm 138:8 Biblia ParalelaPsalm 138:8 Chinese BiblePsalm 138:8 French BiblePsalm 138:8 German BiblePsalm 138:8 CommentariesBible Hub, (2)Unseen world.(3)Everywhere. And this will generally be just when we are tempted to do wrong, or perhaps just when we are actually beginning to do it: some secret sin of which no one knows or dreams perhaps, some self-indulgence, which we dare not deny that God condemns. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. N.T. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple St. AugustineOf Holy Virginity. AugustineOn the Good of MarriagePrayer Out of the Deep. Those who live much in a court acquire courtly manners. God has made us so. Our relation toward such a God should be 1. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. v. 14), the earth was cursed, Hades was opened, Paradise shut, Heaven offended, man, lastly, corrupted and brutalised (cf. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. 1, 2. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. If we had such a window we should pray for shutters, and should keep them closed.God omniscientWeekly Pulpit. 23, 24). Self-consciousness has been the problem of the philosophic mind in all ages; and the mystery is not yet unravelled. Here is what we see in this text: the promise of peace, the God of peace, and the recipient of peace. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. Persevere in what Thou hast begun." Nor are they few or slight, but amount to a vast sum, more numerous than the sands of the sea.