I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord
God’s redemptive triumph evoking thanksgiving, prayer and confession
The dialogue ended, the prophet’s tone changes.
In the assurance that the redemption, guaranteed by Jehovah’s triumph, will be wrought out, he supplies faithful Israel with a hymn of thanksgiving, supplication and confession, expressive of the frame of mind worthy to receive it (Isaiah 63:7-19; Isaiah 64:1-12). In a stream of surpassing pathos and beauty the prophet, as it were, “leads the devotions (Cheyne) of his nation, and lends words by his eloquence to their repentance. (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)
A chastened piety
The passage (Isaiah 63:7-19; Isaiah 64:1-12) is one of themost instructive of Old Testament prayers, and deserves careful study as an expression of the chastened and tremulous type of piety begotten in the sorrows of the Exile. So far as the ideas of the passage are concerned, it might have been composed at any time from the Exile downwards. (Prof. J. Skinner, D. D.)
The tender mercies of God
To discover the heights or to fathom the depths of this grace, exceeds the power of men or angels; yet the view perhaps may be enlightened by some of the following reflections.
1. In purposing and planning the grit work of redemption, the Eternal Mind was self-moved, uncounselled, unsolicited.
2. This love was wholly disinterested, having no-reward in view but the pleasure of doing good.
3. This love is still more sublimely considered as acting towards inferiors.
4. Redeeming love is still more wonderful as exercised towards enemies.
5. This love appears altogether astonishing when we consider the greatness of the sacrifice it made.
6. The extent of redeeming love further appears in the magnitude of the blessings which it intended for a ruined race.
7. This mercy is heightened by the fact that the Saviour is so necessary, reasonable and all-sufficient.
8. This mercy is still further heightened by the patience and condescending tenderness which He exercises towards His people. He calls them His friends, His brethren, His children, His spouse, the members of His body, the apple of His eye.
9. This wondrous mercy is further expressed in the gift of Sabbaths and sacraments, and especially the written Word.
10. Fresh evidence of this love springs up at every review of God’s past providence towards the Church.
11. All these are the more affecting as being marks of distinguishing love.
12. The grace of God appears still greater as being abundant. (E. Griffin.)
A song concerning loving kindnesses
I. THE MERCIES TO BE MENTIONED. A complete summary we cannot give, for who can count the sands of the sea or the stars of the sky?
1. The list commences with special electing love. In the Hebrew the eighth verse runs, “For He said, they only are My people.”
2. Pass on to the next sweet token of Divine lovingkindness which is found in the Fatherly confidence which the Lord has manifested towards His people. “Children that will not lie. ‘
3. His great sympathy with us. “In all their affliction He was affected (Isaiah 63:9).
4. His intimate intercourse with us. “The Angel of His presence saved them.”
5. The gracious interpositions of God on behalf of His people. “In His love and in His pity He redeemed them.”
6. God provided for, led, protected and upheld His people by a wondrous special providence while they were in the wilderness. “He bare them,” etc. (Isaiah 63:9).
7. The prophet further goes on to mention the Lord’s chastening. It is to be sorrowed over that we need chastening, but God is to be praised that He does not withhold it from us (Isaiah 63:10).
8. The next thing the prophet sings about is God’s faithfulness, for though He did smite His people, yet in a very short time we find that “He remembered the days of old,” etc. (Isaiah 63:11-13). We will close this catalogue with one more choice mercy, for the prophet tells us of God’s giving His people rest after all (Isaiah 63:14).
II. CERTAIN POINTS WORTHY OF SPECIAL MENTION.
1. Whatever has been bestowed upon us by God reveals His lovingkindness.
2. The consequent praise which is due to God on account of this.
3. The uniform nature of all God’s dealings with us. “According to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us.” Let us praise Him according to all that the
Lord hath bestowed upon us, blessing Him for bitters and sweets, for blacks and whites, for storms and calms.
4. The grandeur of the goodness which is shown in every mercy. “The great goodness toward the house of Israel.” Ingratitude makes little of much, but gratitude sees much in little.
5. We ought to take peculiar note in our song of the condescending tenderness and pity of God, for such is the force of the next expression, “which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies,”--a clearer rendering would be, “according to His compassion.”
6. One other special note demands to be heard, and that is the multitudinous displays of His love. “According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses,” of all shapes, and at all times, and in all ways, and from all points of the compass.
III. PRACTICAL REASONS WHY WE SHOULD THUS MENTION THE LOVINGKINDNESSES OF THE LORD.
1. That we may have pleas in prayer. This is the best way of praying: “Lord, Thou hast done this for Thy servant, Thou hast done that for Thy servant, therefore I beseech Thee do more. This is not after the manner of men, for when we once relieve a man’s necessities we say to him, “Do not come again;” but every gift which God gives is an invitation to come again, and the best way in which we can show our gratitude is to seek for further gifts.
2. These memories will act as stays to your faith.
3. They will minister to your present comfort.
4. The thought of all this would make us love God more, and obey Him better.
5. To mention the Lord’s goodness enables us to cheer others, for we do not know who may be standing by.
6. It will glorify Him, and this should always be your master motive. (C. H.Spurgeon.)
A rinsed mouth
The Lord rinse your mouths out if you have a bitter way of talking about other people, or about His providence, and lead you henceforth to glory in His holy name.(C. H. Spurgeon.)