Psalm 144, Part 3: Polished for God

David closes Psalm 144 on a note of prosperity.

He depicts a nation blessed by God and at peace (v. 12).

There is plenty of food, flocks are increasing, and towns and herds are safe (vv. 13, 14). The people are content in the Lord (v. 15)! When His people allow it, God works for their good. “By trial, by warnings, by admonitions, God seeks to prepare us to fulfil His purpose. If we co-operate with Him, our characters will be fashioned ‘after the similitude of a palace.’ It is the specified work of the Comforter to transform us. At times it is hard for us to submit to the purifying, refining process. But this we must do if we would be saved at last.” Christians must submit themselves to be sanctified. “We are God’s workmanship. The value of the human agent depends wholly upon the polishing he receives. When the rough stones are prepared for the building, they must be taken into the shop, and hewed and squared. The process is often sharp as the stone is pressed down upon the wheel, but the rough coarseness is being removed, and the luster begins to appear. . . . Every soul must not only submit to the work of the divine hand, but must put to the tax every [spiritual] sinew and muscle, that the character may become more pure, the words more helpful, the actions such as God can approve.” “The divine Worker spends little time on worthless material. Only the precious jewels does he polish after the similitude of a palace, cutting away all the rough edges. This process is severe and trying. . . . [Christ] cuts away the surplus surface, and putting the stone to the polishing wheel, presses it close, that all roughness may be worn away. Then, holding the jewel up to the light, the Master sees in it a reflection of himself, and he pronounces it worthy of a place in his casket.” “When He cometh, when He cometh / To make up His jewels, / All His jewels, precious jewels, / His loved and His own.”