Worshipping With Gladness

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: General | May 1970

"0 come, let us sing unto the LORD: Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation" (Psalm 95.1)

The Remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ in the broken bread and poured-out wine is a time when "we sing with sweetest sadness" as we consider again the blood-like sweat and the shameful tree. It is right that we should be moved again in our spirits, each Lord's day, as we reverently consider all that He passed through on our account. But it is also a time when we should rejoice in His glorious resurrection, for He is risen. The everlasting doors have been lifted up, and the King of Glory has entered in (Psalm 24.9). We move on in worship from the Cross to the Resurrection for, "He arose, Hallelujah, Christ arose!". Not only so, He presents to the Father the praise and adoration of the saints. Through Him we offer up a sacrifice of praise to God. We remember that, "the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" (1 John 4.14):

"The streams of love I trace

Up to the fountain, God;

And in His sovereign counsels see

Eternal thoughts of love to me".

And so our "songs of sweetest sadness" become songs of joy and praise as we contemplate the majesty of the Divine Being whom we worship and adore.

In a coming day every created thing in the heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, will say, "Unto Him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever" (Revelation 5.13). It is to this lofty height we should aspire every Lord's day while together for worship and praise. The Cross made it possible for us to draw near to the Throne.

If our worship does not reach the lofty strains of adoration and praise to Him who sits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb, then we ourselves will feel that we have come short. The Cross and the tomb are hallowed scenes, brought to our remembrance as we partake of the broken bread and poured-out wine, but these are the beginnings of the Spirit's leadings as we show forth the Lord's death until He come.

As we go forth from these times of praise and adoration, let us remember that it is but a little while and He will come. Then "in songs of sweet untiring praise, we will to everlasting days, make all His glories known". Until He comes, then,

"Let our gladsome praise resound,

And let us in His work abound,

Whose blessed name is Love".

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | May 1970
General