The elements in this morning’s service point us to the extravagance of God’s grace in our lives—both the abundance and the totality of the undeserved blessings He gives. Jesus Shall Reign and All People That On Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 speak of Christ’s kingdom reaching from “shore to shore,” compelling the praise of “all people.” The Call to Worship from Psalm 36 describes God’s love as extending “to the heavens,” as vast as both mountains and seas, as an abundant feast, and as a river of delight (we’ll sing this same psalm, The Wicked Man Fears Not The Lord—Psalm 36, during communion). The King In Your Strength Shall Be Glad—Psalm 21 joyfully proclaims that the Lord has poured out all the blessings we have craved and that His fame will be widely spread. Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven implores us to praise the Lord as “widely as His mercy goes.” Though we do not deserve this mercy, The Creed Of Timothy and Come Ye Sinners, Poor And Needy remind us that even when we are faithless, “He remains faithful,” providing a “free bounty” of every grace that brings us near to Him. There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy speaks of a love that is “broader than the measure of our mind,” a “plentiful redemption,” and a love that “goes far out beyond our dreams.” In response to this love that is even mightier than it seems, we widen our hearts (as Paul commends the Corinthians in this morning’s sermon text), extending grace to our brethren and praise to our God. As the closing hymn puts it: “Streams of mercy never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise.” —Henry C. Haffner
Posted by Henry Haffner
Categories: Worship Notes