Psalms 48:9 - Homiletics

God's loving-kindness.

"We have thought of thy loving-kindness." Thought is quick. A lightning-flash of thought, a momentary recollection of God, may give guidance to take the right step, courage to speak the right word, strength to withstand sudden temptation, comfort when we are ready to give up all as lost. But this swift inspiration, sudden illumination, is not the kind of thought of which this text speaks. It is calm meditation, devout; leisurely contemplation. Memory spreads her stores. Faith, hope, love, drink full draughts from the living well of truth. Prayer and praise have time to clothe themselves in fit words. While we muse, the fire burns. One of the greatest blessings of the sabbath is the opportunity for such prolonged, undisturbed thought. One of the richest fruits of the public service of God's house, and of the ministry of God's Word, is reaped when we are led to think of God ' s loving-kindness.

I. The Revisers have wisely retained THIS BEAUTIFUL WORD " LOVING - KINDNESS ," although the same Hebrew word is frequently translated "mercy" (sometimes also "goodness," or "kindness"). We could ill afford to lose it, for no other English word so happily expresses one of the most wonderful and delightful aspects of Divine mercy, goodness, or kindness; viz. its special application to individuals. The Bible alone sheds this ray of Divine glory on the path of human life. We do not find it in heathen religions, for men do not naturally think thus of God. Science cannot reveal it; for science deals with what is universal or general, not with individuals. We learn it by faith and experience. The histories of Scripture are full of it; e.g. Hagar in the desert; Eliezer at the well; Jacob at Bethel, at Haran, at Penuel; Elijah in the famine; Ezra at Ahava ( Ezra 8:21 , Ezra 8:22 ). The miracles of Scripture are largely concerned in this lesson. Miracles are but lessons writ large , that none may be able to mistake their meaning. The promises of the Bible abundantly announce the same truth; and the thanksgivings (in the Psalms and elsewhere) of those whose faith has tested those promises, bear witness to their fulfilment. So does the experience of God's children in all ages.

II. THIS SPECIAL VIEW OF GOD 'S LOVING - KINDNESS TO INDIVIDUALS MUST NOT NARROW OR OBSCURE OUR VIEW OF HIS MERCY AND LOVING - KINDNESS ON THE BROAD SCALE —to his Church and to mankind. "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord" ( Psalms 33:5 , same Hebrew word ; Luke 6:35 , Luke 6:36 ; John 3:16 ; 1 John 4:9 ). The "glad tidings of great joy," the gospel, is in the heart of it the message that God loves us. The transcendent proof, the gift of his Son, while it casts all lesser gifts into the shade, is the assurance of them all ( Romans 8:32 ).

III. CONTEMPLATION OF GOD 'S LOVING - KINDNESS IN ALL THESE ASPECTS —devout, thankful meditation on it, is at once a delight and a duty. A duty, because gratitude demands it ( Psalms 103:2 ), because God wills it and is honoured thereby ( Psalms 111:2 4), because thus the roots of our love and piety are nourished, and our doubts answered. But a duty that can be practised only by those to whom it is a delight. For really to apprehend God's loving-kindness without having our heart opened to its gladness and brightness, as the flower to the sunshine, is impossible. Love only apprehends love ( 1 John 4:8 ). What richer, sweeter, more glorious object of contemplation is possible?

IV. THE CONTEMPLATION OF GOD 'S LOVING - KINDNESS , NEVER OUT OF SEASON , IS ESPECIALLY SEASONABLE IN THE SANCTUARY . "In the temple." Here Asaph got quit of his doubts, and felt his faith and joy revive ( Psalms 78:17 , Psalms 78:28 ). Christian places of meeting and worship are not called "temples" in the New Testament. But Christian people are ( 2 Corinthians 6:16 ). The material temple present to the psalmist's thought, with all its glorious ritual and local sanctity, has vanished like a vision. Not because the Gospel has put us further from God, but because it has brought us nearer. The cross has hallowed the whole earth as the outer court of the temple, of which heaven is the sanctuary; and we have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. How rich are the poorest who know that this portion is theirs, the loving-kindness of the Lord! How poor the richest without this! Let our meditation of him be sweet! Let us be glad in the Lord!