3. The Praises of ‘His People’! Psalm 67:3-7

Text: “And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou (Joseph) shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21.

Good morning, members of the ‘His people’ Church!  The author is not big on what latter day Christianity calls ‘church denominations'.  In fact, I have often - over the past 44 years, since the Lord saved me – been looked at as ODD, when I refused to sign a little piece of paper, or allow myself to be placed on a little list, denoting that I had in fact become a ‘member’ of certain formal ‘church denominational’ groups. 

I have forthrightly and respectfully, as always, informed those church leaders that, the Lord Jesus Christ made me a full ‘member’ of His church back in 1979, in a solitary confinement cell of an infamous maximum-security prison for terrorists in Northern Ireland! 

I was, by God’s Sovereign grace, made a full member of Christ’s Body, the Church, by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, under the regenerating power of God the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, I need no small piece of paper, no being added to a little list; no church ceremony; to know that I am, in fact, a full member of Christ’s Church. 

I see myself, therefore, as a full paid-up member of the only real church I know, which is ‘the Church of His people’. 

My Church membership fee was forever paid in full, by sinless and precious shed Blood – the Blood of Jesus Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or spot.  I have God’s receipt for the payment, and that is all I require.

My Eternal Receipt: “Forasmuch as ye KNOW that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (entire lifestyle) received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  (1 Peter 1:18-19)

“All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.  For I came down from Heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

With these Scripturally proven and clear facts of Christ’s Salvation in mind, dear friend, is it any wonder that gross sinners such as I, and all such sinners that have been called by the Lord God unto Salvation by His grace, should not refrain in the least from raising up our very souls in praise and worship of the Holy One Who has made us a full and integral part of His Body, the universal and international CHURCH – the 'His People Church'? 

Let me hear it beloved in Christ: HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD! BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

God’s Third Link: Praise. Verse 3. “Let the people praise Thee.  Mark the sweet order of the blessed Spirit: first, mercy; then, knowledge; last of all, praising of God.” (John Boys 1560-1643)

Verse 3: “Let the people praise Thee…”  What ‘people’ might be found praising the Lord God Almighty, but those whom the Lord Himself has quickened to Spiritual life; called with His effectual call to Salvation; granted His gifts of repentance and faith to believe and receive Christ’s full Atonement for sins, by the once for all Holy Sacrifice of Himself at Calvary’s Cross for them?  This is the reason that God’s people praise Him.  All others have nothing Eternal to praise Him for, for they know that they are headed eventually into Hell and from there to the lake which burneth with fire forever.  True praise to God Almighty comes only from the lips and hearts of those that belong to Him in Christ Jesus.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not al His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all they diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that they youth is renewed like the eagles.”  (Psalm 103:1-5)

Verse 3.  “Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee.  There is a constant circular course and recourse from the sea unto the sea; so there is between God and us (His people); the more we praise Him, the more our blessings come down; and the more blessings come down, the more we praise Him again; so that we do not so much bless God as bless ourselves.  When the springs lie low, we pour a little water into the pump, not to enrich the fountain, but to bring up more for ourselves.”  (Thomas Manton 1620-1677)

It would be a most miserly soul that, having received so very much Eternal blessing from God, refused to open his/her mouth in full praise and thanksgiving to Him, in Christ.

Verse 4. “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy.  Nothing creates gladness so speedily, surely, and abidingly as the Salvation of God.  Nations never will be glad till they follow the leadership of the great Shepherd.  Some sing for form, others for show, some as a duty, others as an amusement, but to sing from the heart because overflowing joy must find a vent, this is to sing indeed.  Whole nations will do this when Jesus reigns over them in the power of His grace.  (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, page 288)

Today, in this increasingly apostate, anti-Christian, anything-goes 21^st Century of sinfulness, there is much false mirth, fleeting pleasure of sin; and a noise of worldly laughing.  However, when sober minds take time to reflect on the state of the nations – there is little that would constitute real joy and sincere gladness.  It is time for us to repent, right now!

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

Christ’s Holy Name is today written into BBC Dramas as a fully recognised swear word!  Christians, and especially Christian ministers/Pastors are continually portrayed as utter whimps, and flaky clowns, only on screen to be laughed at, or pitied by worldly viewers.  Christian values are shunned, and taken as a sign of weakness, by politicians, so-called, who only live to further their own name, bank accounts, and every one of their cronies they can prosper.  There is little cause for rejoicing and gladness in our nations today.

Thought: Members of ‘the His people church’, alone, can rejoice and praise Christ’s Holy Name!  The Lord Jesus comes real soon to put all things right.  Rejoice true Christian!   Praise and stand firm on the Word of our Lord God.  Amen.