Psalms 147:2. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem:
Praise him for that. He is the great Builder, the Builder of the Church. He laid the foundations in the everlasting covenant, he carries on the building with infinite skill by his Divine Spirit: "The Lord doth build up Jerusalem."
Psalms 147:2. He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
These are the stones with which he builds, men who were like outcasts. What wonderful living stones these outcasts make! They love the Lord best who once were most his enemies. None sing of "free grace and dying love" with sweeter accents than the men who have had much forgiven. "The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel." Mark the connection between the two; it is when great sinners are saved that the Church is built up. There was more done when Paul was converted, I wot, than at almost any other time, for he became the great apostle to the Gentiles through whom myriads were saved.
Psalms 147:2. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem:
Praise him for that. He is the great Builder, the Builder of the Church. He laid the foundations in the everlasting covenant, he carries on the building with infinite skill by his Divine Spirit: "The Lord doth build up Jerusalem."
Psalms 147:2. He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
These are the stones with which he builds, men who were like outcasts. What wonderful living stones these outcasts make! They love the Lord best who once were most his enemies. None sing of "free grace and dying love" with sweeter accents than the men who have had much forgiven. "The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel." Mark the connection between the two; it is when great sinners are saved that the Church is built up. There was more done when Paul was converted, I wot, than at almost any other time, for he became the great apostle to the Gentiles through whom myriads were saved.