Lift Him Up

By John Thiel

Let the Lord tune our hearts to sing His grace. We have been meditating on Gods great love and we have seen the details of this great love and I want to provoke our minds as to the impact on that love on our lives. Can you think of an experience how the way the truth has illuminated you and how that truth has caused you to fall in love with whom we have to do?

Christ has given His life in order that we might live with Him in glory. Throughout eternity He will bear in His hands the prints of the cruel nails by which He was transfixed to the cross of Calvary. . . . {OFC 163.5}

I remember the day when I came home from college and I didn’t know I was doing it as I went for a walk with my brother who walked ahead of me and put my name everywhere along about the one I loved.

Psalm 107:8 Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so [is] my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit [was] sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me [was] love.

 

The poetic expressionism of a heart that has fallen in love describes the precious little tokens of love, an apple tree among the trees of the wood. A tree doesn’t have much fruit but an apple tree does. This is expressive of the delight I have in the Lord, the amazing expressionism of God. The angels keep repeating those words. Holy, holy again and again as they keep seeing another dimension of the great glory and love of God.

Is this mere repetition? It is another glimpse of God’s love that causes them to express themselves. We have had many, many displays of the love of God as we mediate on Him. I have spent time to re-large that. Sometimes there comes a responsibility for those who have received it to express themselves.

Psalms 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

You can’t stop talking about the one you love. Look at what He’s done and its unconsciously done when we fall in love with Him.

Psalm 105:3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. 5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

This stimulates or provokes our mind to know what it is that we should praise Him for. Remember His marvellous works that He hath done. Remember His wonders and judgements. His lips express wonderful counsels and something to glory about. We are to remember these and to give thanks and express that.

As we reflect on His love to us, there is a reason for expression. Look where we came from and what we were like and how many sins we have committed. Reflect on that and look at His mercy.

Psalms 103:8 The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever.

Is that true? What could God have done with you or me already? He could be so angry with me already for the things He has done and we have done the opposite instead of running into His arms. How many times have we gone our own sweet way and He says please, don’t go that way but He waits patiently for us to come back?

Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

Our iniquities bring forth results and the Lord has had His hand over it to prevent them. The wicked who do not respond to Him and He lets their consequences strike them. How many times God has shielded us from the consequence of our own actions? Can you reflect on that? Can you see certain things the Lord has prevented?

Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

How far is the east from the west? Can you find the end of that? It keeps going. It doesn’t stop. That is how far He has cast our transgressions from us. You know what it’s like. You have a guilt feeling about something you have done and you feel guilty and the Lord has removed it and it’s as though it never happened and we can’t bring back that absolute unsaved condition. He gives us precious comfort.

Psalms 103:13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.

These things should begin to work within. It should do what it does to me every time I meditate upon it. It bubbles up inside and as I see more of His greatness, I want to sob as the joy is too great on what He has done.

I point you to the cross of Calvary. I ask you to consider the infinite sacrifice made in your behalf that through faith in Jesus Christ you may not perish but have everlasting life. . . . I point you to Jesus. You are safe in committing to Him the innermost working of your mind. The Lord Jesus hath purchased you with an infinite price. You may commit the keeping of your soul to Jesus. You may trust Him as your Counselor. . . . Constantly draw nigh unto God. He will help you. {TMK 341.2}

As you have drawn nigh to Him, has He helped you? Is there something you can recall to give Him glory?

O be sure you receive your illumination from the Source of all light. He is the great central Light of the universe of heaven and the great Light of the world. He will enlighten every man that cometh into the world. Reach no cheap, low standard. Cultivate the gentleness of Christ. Secure the highest attainments, and draw your inspiration from Jesus Christ. He is your Friend. You may always depend upon Him and find Him faithful and true. When you need His sympathy in your greatest perplexity, wounded and bruised, He will not pass you by on the other side. To Him you may come in the simplicity of children. To Him you may come with joy and rejoicing. With everything that is flattering to your hopes, every success which attends your labors in the Lord, look up to Jesus and lay every honor at His feet. Everything depends upon your walking in all humility of mind. Write the name of Christ upon your banner and never dishonor your colors. {TMK 341.3}

All heaven was given to us in Christ Jesus. . . . O honor Jesus by giving to Him the heart’s best and holiest services! He has given His life for you. Who is He that hath done this? The only begotten Son of God, He that was One with the Father before the world was. {TMK 341.4}

Lift up your banner, lift it up higher. Never, never let it trail in the dust of the earth. Exalt Jesus. Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher. {TMK 341.5}

I believe it’s a time to have heard so much of His love that we don’t need to be prompted too much to speak of His love and His glory. I pray we will have something to exonerate and exalt and lift Him up in relation to His wonderful works that we can recount.

Amen.