Music of the Lord
The sermon emphasizes the joy and happiness that comes from trusting in God and living near Jesus, even in the midst of challenges.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the joy and trust we find in God's holy name, emphasizing that our happiness and light-heartedness come from being near our Savior. She highlights that annoyances do not trouble us when we are in God's presence, contrasting it with feeling downcast and worried when we are away from God. Tileston encourages singing and rejoicing in the expectation of better days ahead, reminding us that nothing can diminish the joy found in the salvation of our Lord.
Text
Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
--PSALMS 33:21
ON our way rejoicing as we homeward move,
Hearken to our praises, O Thou God of love!
Is there grief or sadness? Thine it cannot be!
Is our sky beclouded? Clouds are not from Thee!
On our way rejoicing as we homeward move,
Hearken to our praises, O Thou God of love!
--J. B. S. MONSELL
MY position has come to this, Am I living near my Saviour; then I am as happy as the day is long, and as light-hearted as a child. It may be that I have plenty of annoyances, but they don't trouble me when His presence is with me. Am I downcast and worried: then I am away from God.
--JOHN KENNETH MACKENZIE
We may sing beforehand, even in our winter storm, in the expectation of a summer sun at the turn of the year; no created powers can mar our Lord Jesus' music, nor spill our song of joy. Let us then be glad and rejoice in the salvation of our Lord; for faith had never yet cause to have wet cheeks, and hanging-down brows, or to droop or die.
--SAMUEL RUTHERFORD
Sermon Outline
- The Joy of Trusting in God
- The Presence of God
- The Music of the Lord
- The hope of salvation
- The confidence of faith
Key Quotes
“We may sing beforehand, even in our winter storm, in the expectation of a summer sun at the turn of the year.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Am I living near my Saviour; then I am as happy as the day is long, and as light-hearted as a child.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Faith had never yet cause to have wet cheeks, and hanging-down brows, or to droop or die.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We can maintain our joy and happiness by staying near Jesus and trusting in His presence with us.
- We can praise God in times of sorrow by singing beforehand and trusting in the hope of salvation.
- Faith has never yet had cause to be sorrowful or die, as long as we trust in the salvation of our Lord.