| Christian Life and Doctrine | December 1950 |
God’s Thoughts to “Us-ward”
“Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” —Psalm 40:5
IN REVEALING his will to his children of this Gospel age, the Heavenly Father has made it plain that he wants them to work for him and with him in the carrying out of his plan. And what a high honor it is to work with the Lord. The Logos had this glorious opportunity in the original work of creation, hence we find Jehovah saying to him, “Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness.” (Gen. 1:26) How wonderful it would be to have the Heavenly Father similarly include us in his work! And this is exactly what he has done, for as the apostle writes, we have been made co-laborers with the Lord in the great work of reconciling the lost world to him.—I Cor. 3:9; II Cor. 5:19; 6:1
Jehovah has been zealous in the carrying forward of his plan, and he is pleased when his co-laborers exhibit a similar zeal—the zeal of the house of God. The true followers of the Master are described by Paul as a “peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14) James indicates that we are to show our faith by our works. (James 2:18) And it is undoubtedly pleasing to the Heavenly Father that we should rejoice in this privilege of working with him, and that we should be happy at every evidence of his blessing upon our efforts.
At the same time we should ever keep in mind that what we do for the Lord is as nothing in comparison with what he does for us. As a matter of fact, it is only by his grace that our imperfect works would be acceptable to him at all. It seems appropriate, therefore, that we, as it were, turn aside for a little while and consider the many “wonderful works” which he has done, and his solicitous thoughts “to us-ward.” When we do this, we find how true it is that the many things which the Lord has done “cannot be reckoned up in order,” and that when we try to tell about them “they are more than can be numbered.”
“He Inclined Unto Me”
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me,” writes the Psalmist in the first verse of the Psalm from which our text is taken, “and heard my cry.” Throughout the ages millions have waited patiently for the Lord, yet it was not his due time to “incline” unto them and hear their cry. True, many of these lacked understanding in their waiting. Paul speaks of them as the “whole creation,” which, groaning and travailing together in pain are waiting “for the manifestation of the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19,22) The Lord knows about all these millions, and when, in his plan, their “day of visitation” comes, he will “incline” unto them, hear their cries for help, and will save them. Then they will say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, … we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”—Isaiah 25:9
Meanwhile, during this Gospel age, the Lord has honored one here and there by responding to their cry. Paul speaks of these as seeking the Lord, “if haply they might feel after him, and find him.” (Acts 17:27) It would be impossible for any to find the Lord unless he chooses to “incline” unto them, to respond to their cry for help; so if we have had this blessed experience of finding him, it means that his thoughts have turned to “us-ward,” and that we can accept this as a manifestation of his special favor.
And when the Lord “inclined” toward us, what was the first of his “wonderful works” on our behalf? David gives us the answer, saying that the Lord “brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (verse 2) We were all in this “horrible pit,” symbolic of our being lost in sin and death. We remember the pit into which Joseph was cast by his brethren. It was a place from which he could not have escaped. Had his brethren not changed their minds and sold Joseph as a slave, he doubtless would have died in that pit.
Yes we were indeed in a “pit” from which escape was impossible, and made the more so by the miry clay into which we were sinking. It was in this condition that the Lord found us, and heard our cry for help. And he did more than listen. He took hold of us and lifted us up out of the miry clay and out of the pit, and set our feet upon a “rock”—the “Rock, Christ Jesus.” (I Cor. 10:4) Then we had a firm footing, a sure foundation, and joyfully we could sing,
“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.”
But that was not all. God’s thoughts to “us-ward” were manifested in further blessings. David writes that the Lord “established” his “goings”—that is, his course in life, and that applies to us with equal force. While we were in the “horrible pit,” and our feet were sinking in the “miry clay,” life had very little purpose. Many times the question probably arose in our minds as to the meaning of our existence. We had no set objective, and we vacillated from one fancy to another. But all this changed when the Lord set our feet upon the Rock, Christ Jesus.
Realizing that the Lord had made a wonderful provision for us through Christ Jesus, our hearts responded in loving devotion to him, for we knew that we no longer were our own, but by right belonged to him, and should spend the remainder, of our lives serving him. Thus we consecrated ourselves to do his will, and in revealing his will to us, our Heavenly Father established our “goings,” that is, he pointed out not only what he wanted us to do in his service, but also that at the end of the way there was to be a prize, “the prize of the high calling.” (Phil. 3:14) Therefore he bid us to “set our affection on things above,” and to “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.”—Col. 3:2; Heb. 12:1,2
Yes, our Heavenly Father established our “goings” upon the narrow way. Now life had a meaning, and a definite objective. We had a job to do. We were to work out our own salvation, for we knew that the Lord was working in us “both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:12,13) With our “goings” thus established, we were ready to “give diligence” to make our “calling and election sure.” (II Pet. 1:10) With Paul, we said, “This one thing I do.” (Phil. 3:13) We heard Jesus saying to us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” and hearing this, we realized that we could not afford to be halfhearted in striving for the goal that was set before us in the Gospel. (Matt. 6:33) Moreover, we rejoiced when we remembered that it was God’s thoughts to “us-ward” that had resulted in our being in this position of high favor with him, a position in which we rejoiced “in the hope of the glory of God.”—Rom. 5:2
“A New Song”
“And he hath put a new song in my mouth,” David continues, “even praise unto our God.” The song in the mouths of those in the world today is a very doleful one, if indeed they have a song at all. And it was so with us until we were lifted up out of that “horrible pit.” How could we sing while our feet were sinking in the “miry clay”? But now it is different. The Lord has given us a song to sing, even a song of praise to him. This “new song” is in reality the melody of the truth. Various symbols are used in the Bible to help us comprehend the full meaning of the Gospel of Christ. It is food—“meat in due season.” It is water—the “water of life.” It is a defensive armor—“the armor of God”—and it is the “light” with which the Lord has shined into our hearts.
The “song” symbolism suggests the wonderful harmony of the various doctrines of the truth, the melody of the promises and prophecies of the Word. It is described in Revelation 14:3 as a “new song,” and in Revelation 15:3 as “the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” This latter reference depicts those who sing this song as standing on a “sea of glass mingled with fire,” which undoubtedly symbolizes the position of the people of God today, who, while in the very midst of the “time of trouble” with which the age is ending, are nevertheless enjoying the vantage point given them by a knowledge of present truth so that the “sea” with its roaring which so disturbs and frightens the world is to them transparent—they see its meaning, and that beyond the trouble will dawn the glorious new day of blessing for all mankind.
So they sing the song, the new song, the “song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,” that is, God has put into their mouths this melody which, beginning with the testimony of Moses, and ending with the revelation of Jesus Christ, is one gloriously harmonious theme of divine wisdom, justice, love, and power as revealed in his plan for the blessing of all the families of the earth. What a glorious song! It is this “new song” of present truth that the Lord has put into our mouths, and while its melody proclaims the blessings to be showered upon both the church and the world, in its very nature the singing of this song can do naught else but “show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.”—I Pet. 2:9
“Many shall see it, and fear [reverence], and shall trust in the Lord,” continues the Psalmist. We know that ultimately the whole world shall be filled with a knowledge of the glory of God, but even now “many” see and appreciate the truth to some extent, while one here and there—those to whom the Lord “inclines” himself—embrace it in full consecration and run diligently for the prize of the high calling. To whatever extent an individual “sees” the truth and appreciates it, his reverence for the Lord is increased, and in that proportion he puts his trust in the Lord. And what a blessing that is in this time of distress upon the nations!
The Psalmist says, “Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust.” (Verse 4) Today, one after another of the things in which men have put their trust are failing. Their “idols” are crumbling, and, symbolically speaking, they are calling for the “rocks” and the “mountains” to fall on and protect them. (Rev. 6:16) What a joy, therefore, it should be to us if in singing the new song of praise to God, some hear and learn to put their trust in God, realizing that in the fulfillment of his promises alone will peace and joy come to the world.
His Thoughts
Yes, “many” are the wonderful works of God, and “many” are his loving thoughts to “us-ward.” It was his thoughts to “us-ward” that led to the provision for lifting us out of the horrible pit and the miry clay of sin and death. He was thinking of us when he provided the “Rock” upon which our feet are now firmly established. It was to “us-ward” he was thinking when he made it possible for us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, with the assurance that our offering would be holy and acceptable to him through Christ Jesus our Lord.—Rom. 12:1
Our Justification
“Being justified by faith,” Paul writes, “we have peace with God.” (Rom. 5:1) While we were in the “horrible pit” we were alienated from God through wicked works. But “while we were yet sinners” God’s “us-ward” thoughts made provision for our return to harmony with him, to enjoy peace with him. (Rom. 5:8) What a loving thought! It is beyond our ability to understand why Jehovah would make provision for our being at peace with him; but it is so, and by this loving thought of God alone we are overwhelmed.
Paul explains that by justification through Christ “we have access into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:2) “Into this grace.” What grace? That wonderful position of favor in which we “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” We can’t really grasp this at all. All we know is that God’s thoughts were “us-ward” in making the provision, for the Apostle Peter explains that by the “exceeding great and precious promises” of God we are made “partakers of the divine nature.”—II Pet. 1:4
The Holy Spirit
God has also given us his Holy Spirit—another evidence of his “us-ward” thoughts. And what does the Holy Spirit do for us? The Scriptures explain that by it we are begotten to a new hope of life; that we are anointed as members of the body of Christ and thus authorized to. be servants of God; that the Holy Spirit witnesses with our spirits that we are the children of God, and by the Holy Spirit we are “sealed unto the day of redemption,” or deliverance.—I Pet. 1:3; Rom. 8:16; Eph. 4:30
Yes, God does all these things for us, and more, through the operation of his Holy Spirit in our lives. By that Spirit we are guided in the narrow way; comforted in our sorrows; enlightened when the way seems dark; strengthened when weary; rebuked when wayward; and warned when in danger. And how wonderful is the Master’s assurance that the Heavenly Father is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children.—Luke 11:13
God’s Armor and Fortress
Even though our feet are firmly established upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, we are surrounded by enemies. Satan as a roaring lion is seeking to destroy us and we have to contend against the opposition of the world and also against the foes within, that is, our own fallen flesh. But we need not fear. God’s “us-ward” thoughts provided an armor—an “armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.”—II Cor. 6:7
Paul tells us that we will need to put on this armor in order to stand in the evil day. (Eph. 6:13) It is the armor of truth, and it affords complete protection if put on and properly used. There is the “helmet of salvation”; the “breastplate of righteousness”; the “shield of faith”; the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”; the girdle of truth, and for our feet there is the “preparation of the Gospel of peace.” Could we ask for an “armor” more complete than this? Should we not be able to fight the “good fight of faith” victoriously with such a wonderful armor?
And not only has God provided an armor, but a “fortress” also. David wrote, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Ps. 91:1,2) Surely we can put our trust in the most High, for here we have another reminder of his “us-ward” thoughts, another indication that even before he “inclined” toward us and heard our cry for help, he made every provision whereby we might be victorious, might war a “good warfare” as soldiers of Jesus Christ.—I Tim. 1:18; II Tim. 2:3
The Throne of Grace
In his “us-ward” thoughts God knew that frequently we would need to commune with him in order to be reassured of his forgiveness and love, and to draw upon his grace to help in times of need. So he made provision for this—arranged that although sinful and imperfect, and by nature having no claims upon his grace, we could, through Jesus’ name, come into his presence to seek forgiveness, as well as his guidance and strength.
And not only so, but through his beloved Son, our Heavenly Father outlined the manner in which we should pray, and the things for which we should ask. We can pray for the coming of his kingdom, and for our daily bread—material and spiritual. Through Christ we can ask for divine forgiveness, provided we forgive those who trespass against us. We can claim his promise not to lead us into temptation, but to deliver us from evil—the evil that threatens every day, and from this evil world in the “first resurrection,” to live and reign with Christ a thousand years.—Rev. 20:6
Yes, God has promised to supply all our needs, and for them all we can pray. How loving were his thoughts “to us-ward” in making the provision of prayer! As new creatures it is our “vital breath.” It is our line of communication whereby we keep contact with divine sources of wisdom and strength and courage to go on in the narrow way, to continue the “good fight” and to “press down upon the mark.” Yes, “prayer keeps the Christian’s armor bright,” wrote the poet, and “even Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”
Truly the Psalmist was right when he said that God’s thoughts “to us-ward” are so many and varied that they “cannot be reckoned up in order,” and are “more than can be numbered.” In his love he thought of all our needs from before the time he called us, even until we reach the end of the way, and beyond that; “provided “glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” (Rom. 2:7) He inclined toward us with mercy and love to forgive, to guide, to strengthen, to protect, to encourage, to comfort, to fill with joy, and to inspire with a heavenly hope. And daily, as he lifts up his countenance upon us to give peace and the assurance that his thoughts continue to “us-ward” he wants us to commune with him that we may become more intimately acquainted with him and thus rejoice the more that we are so richly blessed in being members of his family.
“Lo, I Come”
Verses 7 and 8 of the Psalm are quoted by the Apostle Paul and applied to Jesus. (Heb. 10:7,9). They describe the Master’s spirit of consecration—“Lo, I come: in the volume of the Book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Many of the Old Testament promises and prophecies concerning Jesus apply also to the members of his body; that is, they refer to the entire Christ company. It seems reasonable that the 40th Psalm is one of these. Jesus personally did not need to be lifted up out of a horrible pit and from the miry clay, but those who become members of his mystical body do thus need to be rescued from sin and condemnation; so he is represented as speaking for all those whom he “is not ashamed to call brethren.”
And it was Jesus, the Head of this little company whom the Heavenly Father so specially loved, who set the example of full devotion to God, as represented by the expression, “Lo, I come … to do thy will.” This also should be the spirit of our devotion. The loving-kindness of our God should induce us ever to be more determined that all our thoughts, words, and deeds will be such only as are in harmony with his will, hence pleasing to him.
It may be difficult, at times, for our faith to grasp the reality of the love of God, and the fullness with which his thoughts have been “to us-ward.” In this connection it will help if we remember that Jesus, our Head, was the first to have this love bestowed upon him, and that the Father’s love for us is because we are members of The Christ body, all one with the Master. Jesus mentions this in his prayer on behalf of his body members, saying, “I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26) Let us, then, not doubt that God thinks about us, loves us, and cares for us. He loved Jesus, who was daily his delight, and Jesus prayed that this same love be manifested toward us. Truly we are a favored people!
God’s Loving-kindness Not Concealed
In the Psalm, Jesus is represented as saying, “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.” (Verse 10) How true this was of Jesus, the faithful and true Witness.” (Rev. 3:14) It should be true of us; for he is our example, we are walking in his steps. And how can we keep from singing the praises of him whose “us-ward” thoughts have filled our lives with blessings so rich and so bountiful! And especially so since we have learned that he has also made provision for the ultimate blessing of all the families of the earth.
In the 92nd Psalm we read, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” Truly this is a “good thing” to do. Indeed, it is the only thing we can do if we properly appreciate what the Lord has done for us. And what a joy it is to show forth his praises! And we can do this because he has put a “new song” in our mouths, the new song of truth and righteousness, the song of the divine plan of salvation for both the church and the world, the “song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”
It is a wonderful song, a beautiful story of divine love which seems each time we tell it more wonderfully sweet. Let us, then, not conceal this song in our hearts, but sing it aloud, and thus let the people near and far know how wonderful is our God, that his loving-kindness will yet be known throughout all the earth. Who shall not praise thee, O God, when thy righteous acts are made manifest!—Rev. 15:4