December 1, Evening
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men." — Psalm 107:8 · KJV
If we complained less and praised more, we would be happier, and God would be more glorified. Let us daily praise God for common mercies — common, as we often call them, and yet so priceless that when deprived of them we are ready to perish. Let us bless God for the eyes with which we behold the sun, for the health and strength to walk abroad, for the bread we eat, for the clothing we wear. Let us praise Him that we are not cast out among the hopeless, nor confined among the guilty; let us thank Him for liberty, for friends, for family ties and comforts; let us praise Him, in fact, for everything we receive from His bounteous hand, for we deserve little and yet are most plentifully endowed. But, beloved, the sweetest and loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love. God's redeeming acts toward His chosen are for ever the favorite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our songs of thanksgiving. We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, lifted from the depth of sin into which we were naturally plunged; we have been led to the cross of Christ, our shackles of guilt broken off; we are no longer slaves, but children of the living God, and can already anticipate the time when we shall be presented before the throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Even now, by faith, we wave the palm branch and wrap ourselves in the fair linen that is to be our everlasting array; and shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer? Child of God, can you be silent? Awake, awake, you heirs of glory, and lead your captivity captive, as you cry with David, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name." Let the new month begin with new songs.