Spurgeon: November AM
* 11/20/AM
"0 Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul."
--Lamentations 3:58
Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say,
"I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the
causes of my soul"; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not
to be disputed. "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Let
us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts
and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our
prayer, that we may have done with the harsh croaking voice of
surmise and suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear,
melodious voice of full assurance. Notice how gratefully the
prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You
perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own
pleadings. He doth not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to
any man, much less to his own merit; but it is " thou "--"O
Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast
redeemed my life." A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated
by the Christian; and especially after deliverances we should
prepare a song for our God. Earth should be a temple filled with
the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be a censor
smoking with the sweet incense of thanksgiving. How joyful
Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord's mercy. How
triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low
dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and
yet in the very book which is called "Lamentations," clear as
the song of Miriam when she dashed her fingers against the
tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she met Barak with
shouts of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to
heaven--"Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast
redeemed my life." O children of God, seek after a vital
experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when you have it,
speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly.