YES, that’s the word, “Hallelujah!” which means, “Praise the Lord.” This word is used several times by David in the Book of Psalms, who was the sweet Psalmist of Israel. But before I proceed further, I desire to bring my readers face to face with a grand verse of poetry, as follows: —
“One there is above all others,
Oh, how He loves!
His is love beyond a brother’s,
Oh, how He loves!
Earthly friends may fail or leave us,
One day soothe, the next day grieve us;
But this Friend will ne’er deceive us―
Oh, how He loves!”
This Friend is Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever—the Friend of sinners. And if all my readers knew the preciousness of Christ and the love of God, they would, I am sure, join with me very heartily, and say again and again, “Hallelujah!”
To every reader of this Gospel magazine we wish you most heartily, a happy New Year. To every unsaved reader, we give some of the best advice at the beginning of another year— “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (necessary things) shall be added unto you” (see Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)).
As we look back over the past year, with all its favors and privileges, we have much to thank God for. And the writer of this short article would say, and wishes all readers to say as well with him, this one word very heartily, “Hallelujah!” which reminds us of that well-known verse which says: —
“Praise God, from whom all blessings How,
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
Furthermore, there are the daily benefits of health, and strength, and food, and clothing. And the goodness of God leads to repentance. But, best of all, and greatest of all, there is the full manifestation of God’s great and perfect love in giving His beloved Son to take our place in death.
This is the divine Substitute whom John the Baptist spake of, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)). “Hallelujah!”
Then there is this fact, that many have been called away from this world by death, whilst we have been spared; and many have passed through deep sorrow, and pain, and trial.
But for a few moments I would ask my readers kindly to go back with me in thought, and remember this precious truth, that Christ became the willing victim, who was crucified and slain at Calvary.
But what does all this mean to us? It means two things. That man was so wicked, and so cruel that he put to death the Lord Jesus Christ, the spotless Son of God. But it also means that God, out of pure love for sinners, gave up His beloved Son to suffer and to die upon the cross, knowing full well all He would have to pass through. Oh, praise our God! praise the Lord!
Truly we can say, and rightly say, that “God is light,” and “God is love.” For Christ has died for the ungodly. “Hallujah!” Christ not only came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, but was made sin by God on the cross. And surely ‘twas this that caused Him to cry out that bitter cry, “My God, my God! why hast thou forsaken me? “Oh the wonders of redeeming love! Cannot you now see, dear reader, that Christ was the sin bearer? Put your whole trust in Him. Christ having died and risen again, lives for evermore. And therefore I say again, “Hallelujah!” “Praise the Lord.”
Now He is risen, and crowned, and exalted, and glorified at God’s right hand. And the grand result is, that thousands of thousands are saved. Missionaries and workers are very busy on every hand; and many homes and institutions are a standing witness for God, testifying also to the power of the gospel of Christ.
Now let every reader say, “Hallelujah!” “Praise the Lord! “All glory be to God. Christ is risen, and Christ has triumphed gloriously. Jesus settled everything for the poor lost sinner, when He died and rose again. “Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Blessed are they that have not seen, yet have believed.”
For “the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” “Hallelujah!” “Praise the Lord!”
May God by the mighty power of His Spirit bless these few lines. And may every believer walk worthy of Christ. Amen.
R. S.