“O LOVE THE LORD!”
Jack Davis
Some blessed benefits in loving the Lord!
PRESERVED
“O love the LORD, all ye His saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer” Psalm 31:23. This verse gives us a reason for loving, and tells us who to love, for He “preserveth the faithful,” His saints. Contrast this with “the proud doer.” The “proud doer” is one who does his own thing, or walks in his own will, or seeks to please by his own effort. The “faithful” speaks of those who rest in the finished work of the Cross; and of those who are true to the Lord, walking in His will. Faithfulness is love in action. Faithful ones are those whose lives prove the sincerity of their love.
Many are the dangers that the Lord preserves us from and in. Oh, it is so good to be among the Lord’s “preserves.” He is a very present help in trouble.” But how could we know that or say that unless we had gotten in some kind of trouble? So, For us to know of the Lord’s preserving power in experience, He must let us get ourselves into some form of jam. Oh Boy, are we good at doing that! Leave them alone and they will come. Rather they will either get lost, or fall into a ditch. He says He will “hide” and “keep” those that trust Him. Psalm 31:20, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” So we best stay close to the Lord in times of danger – “Under His wings.” Near his heart. He always intends the fiery trial to move us closer to Himself.
“Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee: which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!” Psa. 31:19. Oh, He has such rich preserves for those He preserves. Col. 1:5, speaks of “the hope” laid up.” II Tim. 4:8 speaks of “a crown” laid up. Praise God for those who do love the Lord enough to want Him to return more than anything else. Paul says in II Tim. 4:16-18, “The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me…and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” Paul also said, “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly Kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.” In I Pet, 1:5,4 we read for those “who are kept by the power of God through faith,” having an inheritance “reserved in Heaven.” O LOVE THE LORD!
PROMISED
“Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” James 2:5. He has, with “exceeding great and precious promises,” promised to enrich His true lovers. God who is love has begotten sons of love, in His well beloved Son. He sheds abroad His love in our hearts. Yet how in these “perilous times?” Iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. Many are leaving off loving Him preeminently. Among Christians many are lovers of self, pleasure, and the world more than God. Many today think they are rich. They are esteemed highly in their attainments and attributes. But God’s promises go to the “poor.” The poor speak of those who have a deep sense of need – humble, dependent, and lacking in self-confidence enough to refuse to “trust in uncertain riches” (all natural wealth). Yet these are fully assured with a wealth of expectation from God, simply persuaded that whatever God has promised, He is “able also to perform:” also He is ready and willing. The “rich in faith,” like Sarah, simply count Him faithful who has promised. O LOVE THE LORD!
PREPARATION
Divine preparation is invisible to the natural eye, unintelligible to the ear, incomprehensible to the human heart, and inexpressible by the natural man. In I Cor. 2:7-12, Paul said he “heard unspeakable words,” and yet he was given to “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” – Eph. 3:8. GOD HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US BY HIS SPIRIT. Those who really love Him are looking, listening, and believing: and are being initiated into the mystery of Divine preparation. The Holy Spirit is given to His holy ones to enable us to perceive all that has been provided and prepared. We are given eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to understand the full measure of such wonderful complete preparation. We may grasp in full measure all that has been promised, purposed, and purchased by Jesus’ precious life blood. This is to the intent that we praise Him, that we be eternally “to the praise of the glory of His grace’ – Eph. 1:6.
To mention a few of the preparations He has made, and that we should love Him for: We indeed love Him first for Himself. But these things should call forth a sincere manifestation of our love. In Hebrews 11:16 God is said to have prepared a city for those believing Him. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” David said, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” In the prophetic parable of Matthew 22, the king made a marriage feast for his son and said, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner,” Oh what a feast that will be!
When the mother of Zebedee’s children came to Him and asked that her two sons sit with Him on His throne when He would come into His Kingdom, He told her, “To sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them to whom it is prepared of My Father “He is also preparing for us. We are told in II Tim. 2:21, that those who are being purged, made “Meet for the Master’s use.” Are “prepared unto every good work.” In Romans 9:23 we read of “vessels of mercy” being “prepared unto glory.” John saw the Holy City, descending “from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband.” So the Lord would have us “know the things that are freely given to us of God.” And that their redemption cost our dear Jesus His life. O LOVE THE LORD!
PURPOSE
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we begin to partake of the calling “according to His purpose” Rom. 8:27-29. “Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou has laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou has wrought (worked) for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!” Psa. 31:19. So it is One that has “begun a good work” in us, that works in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure,” who will perform, perfect, complete it, as we love Him enough to let Him. He has purposed for those that love Him to be completely “conformed to the image” of His dear Son. Those who are preserved, prove they love Him by a faithful life. If you really love Him, you will want to check out all that He has promised you in His precious Word. Desiring earnestly to perceive and partake of all that He has prepared. Looking to the Lord to make us like Himself. We will request, even require Him to fulfill His purpose. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Col. 1:27. He is being formed us, transformed inwardly first, and changed into His glorious likeness eternally. To know Him is to love Him, as He is revealed to our hearts. In our lives, we are taking on inwardly more and more of His likeness. “O love the Lord, all ye His saints,” and you will profit from it for ever and ever!
