My unsettled and at times fearful heart last night drove me to the right place…God’s word. I began to think on one of my favorite verses in Scripture.
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.—Psalm 42:8
Beloved…The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His lovingkindness is always before our eyes. We have no need to fear. Below is Spurgeon’s exposition of this verse.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime.
Come what may there will be a “certain secret something” to sweeten all. Lovingkindness is a worthy life belt in a rough sea. The day may darken into a strange untimely midnight, but the love of God, ordained of old to be the portion of the elect, will be by soVereign decree meted out to them. No day will ever dawn on an heir of grace and find him altogether forsaken. The Lord reigns, and as a sovereign He will with authority command mercy to be reserved for His chosen.
And in the night. Both day and night will be illuminated with special love, and no stress of trial can prevent it. Our God is God of the nights as well as the days. None will find Israel unprotected regardless of the hour.
His song shall be with me. Songs of praise for blessings received will cheer the gloom of the night. No music is sweeter than the belief that we will yet glorify the lord for mercy given in extremity. This is a delightful support to the soul. Affliction may put out our candle, but if it cannot silence our song, we will soon light the candle again.
A prayer to the God of my life. Prayer is yoked with praise. He who is the living God is the God of our life. From Him we derive it, with Him in prayer and praise we spend it, to Him we devote it, and in Him we will perfect prayer and praise. To be assured that our sighs and songs will have free access to our glorious Lord is to have reason for hope in the most deplorable condition.
Deep to deep incessant calling,
Tossed by furious tempests' roll,
Endless waves and billows falling,
Overwhelm my fainting soul.
Yet I see a Power presiding
Mid the tumult of the storm,
Ever ruling, ever guiding,
Love's intentions to perform.
Yes, mid sorrows most distressing,
Faith contemplates thy design,
Humbly bowing, and confessing
All the waves and billows THINE.
—Henry March.
Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness." His expression is remarkable; he does not say simply that the Lord will bestow, but command his lovingkindness. As the gift bestowed is grace—free favour to the unworthy; so the manner of bestowing it is sovereign. It is given by decree; it is a royal donative. And if he commands the blessing, who shall hinder its reception?
—Henry March.
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