GLORIFYING GOD by Mrs. M. J. Bahler.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 6, 1887

GLORIFYING GOD.

By Mrs. M. J. Bahler.

"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me, and to him that ordereth his conversation [margin: disposeth his way] aright, I will shew the salvation of God. Ps. 50: 23.

How often we say: "I desire to glorify God in my daily life." Well, here is a divine rule by following which we cannot fail to glorify God. And it is not a difficult thing to do either. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me." Then, if we desire to glorify God, let us not fail to begin each day with praise, and having begun with praise let us continue it with praise. Then there will be no murmurings rising from our hearts, to soil our lips, to cast a heavier shadow over our heads, and to sadden those around us. Instead of this we can praise our merciful Father that the cup pressed to our trembling lips is no more bitter than it is. We can praise him that we are no worse off than we are.

Oh, if we could; if we could? Nay, if we would—for we can—only take up a never-ceasing heart-song of praise to that God who loves us with a love whose height and depth we can never fathom, then we should know the unspeakable joy of glorifying him every day. Then, too, we should not find it difficult to "dispose our own way [our entire behavior, actions and words] aright." And having attained this, then comes the blessed assurance that God will show us his salvation.

Often do I quote to myself the words of a friend: "We should never murmur, for this brings doubts and discouragements." We should all take up the blessings, every fragment of them, and be thankful that we have what we have, and that Jesus is our ever present helper." Yes, Jesus is our ever present helper. And with such a helper have we not cause to offer praise? Yes, truly, for trusting in him the darkness is illuminated; trusting in him, seeming mountains dwindle into mole-hills; trusting in him, the thorns may pierce our feet and our foot-prints may be marked in blood; but the pain will cause us to hasten onward, instead of sending faintness to the heart. Trusting in him, the pillow pressed by a head throbbing with pain seems to become in reality his dear breast, and though the pain cease not, there is rest and refreshment to both body and spirit.

Trusting in Jesus, no matter how hard we may be pressed, we may say with Paul: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor. 4: 8, 9. Yea, trusting in him we can "glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope." Rom. 5: 3, 4. Thus, trusting in Jesus and glorying in the way in which he leads us, painful even though our path may be, we shall not cease to praise him for his leading hand, his forbearing love, his comforting Spirit, his sustaining grace, and his cleansing, redeeming power, through which we may see his salvation.

Oh, let us cease our doubting and questioning! Let us take up a new song, "even praise unto our God." Then "many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord" (Ps. 40: 3), and thus again shall our praise glorify him, in that by it others shall be led to love and trust him.

"Praise ye the Lord; for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely." Ps. 147: 1.

MRS. M. J. BAHLER.