NOW I WILL PRAISE THE LORD .

 

JANUARY 2

 

Genesis 29:35

 

And she conceived again, and bare a son:

and she said, Now I will praise the LORD;

therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

 
Ingratitude is a great sin, and yet it is very common. Mercies come unnoticed; they are enjoyed without gratitude, and depart without praise. How many favours have we enjoyed which we have never acknowledged. Yet the Lord has said, “He that offereth praise glorifieth me.”
 
Let us reflect upon our mercies, repent of our ingratitude, and say with Leah, “Now will I praise the Lord.” Who can have more reason?
 
When shall we have a more favourable opportunity?
 
Let us begin at once, and praise him for temporal favours, but especially for spiritual blessings.
 
Let us bless him for what he has done, and for what he has promised. For what was given us in Adam, but more for what was given us in Christ.
 
That he has generously provided all we can need, and has presented all he has provided, to be received by us without money, and without price. All he sends us is in love, all he does to us is in mercy, whether it be pleasant or painful.
 
Therefore let us attend to the Apostle's exhortation, and “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.”
 
“Praise is comely for the upright.”
 

Bless O my soul the living God;

Call home my thoughts, that rove abroad:

Why should the wonders, he hath wrought,

Be lost in silence, and forgot.

 
James Smith