September 21

“I will rejoice over them to do them good.” — Jer. xxxii. 41.

f^OVl lieart-cbcering to the believer is the delight wliici. God has in His saints! We cannot see any reason in ourselves why the should take pleasure in js; we cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have o groan, being burdened, conscious of our sinfulness, and deploring our unfaithfulness; and we fear that God’s people cannot take much delight in uw, for they must perceive sc ‘:iuch of our imperfections and follies, that they may rathei lament our infirmities than admire our graces. But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious myslery: that as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us. We do not read anywhere that God delighteth in the cloud-capped oiouutaius, or the sparlding stars, but we do read that He delighteth in the habitable parts of the earth, and that His delights are with the sons of men. We do not find it writtcji that even angels gi%e His soul delight; nor doth He say, concerning cherubim and seraphim, “Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, for the. Lord delighteth in thee;” but He doe-s say all that to pooi fallen creatures like ourselves, debased and depraved by sin, but saved, exalted, and glorified by His grace. In what strong language He expresses His delight in His people! could have conceived of the eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written, “He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His Jove; He will joy over thee with singing.” As He looked upon the world He had made. He said, “It is very good;” but when He beheld those who are the purchase of Jesus* blood. His own chosen ones, it seemed as if the great heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer, but overflowed in divine exclamations of joy. Should not we utter our grateful response to such a marvellous declaration of His love, and sing, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation”?