“Purposes of Preparation”

In my elementary school days, the public school I attended broadcast the 100 th Psalm over the intercom as each day began.

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.”

I have little doubt that this hearing of King David’s beautiful song in my childhood influenced my reception of the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of eighteen. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). At the time, I didn’t realize that such a preparatory work was being accomplished in my heart by the Holy Spirit. Indeed, I’m quite certain that most mornings, I didn’t pay that much attention to the words. The Lord nevertheless penetrated my heart and mind with His truth, tilling the spiritual soil and planting the seed of Christ that would one day sprout into my personal experience of life eternal.

Most of God’s preparatory work in our lives takes place without our knowing it is happening. Circumstances, events, conditions, situations and people come and go, seemingly as the mere natural progression of chance and circumstance. If we could see more clearly the heart and hand of God at work, we’d realize far more meaning and significance in the happenings of our lives. This includes the present moment, wherein our Heavenly Father doubtless accomplishes necessary tilling and planting for a harvest later to come.

Thus, we can make a joyful noise, serving the Lord with gladness and approaching Him with singing. We can rejoice that we belong to Him and not ourselves. We can praise and thank Him in complete confidence that our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows serve purposes of preparation for this life and for eternity. Yes indeed, the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.

“God… worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” (Ephesians 1:11)