Comfort, Comfort
Well, a week without quiet times is a week likely to display an astonishing array of sin. This week was not an exception to the rule. In the wake of it, I look back with sorrow and regret on missed opportunities, hurt caused to the people I love most, and dishonor to God.
It hasn't been pretty, but it has been an excellent mirror. And now I am aware, all over again, of how desperately I need a Savior.
Ponder, if you will, the majesty and otherness of God for a few moments...
Job 38:4 (ESV) "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding."
Job 38:12-13 (ESV) "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?"
Job 38:16-17 (ESV) "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? "
Job 38:35-36 (ESV) "Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?'"
Now, ponder anew the heart of man....
Selfishness
Avarice
Lying
Gossip
Lust
Anger
Fear of man
Pride
Envy
Murder
Idolatry
Self-righteousness
The list goes on and on, more detailed at every step, more excruciatingly pertinant to my own heart as I delve further into it. I was selfish yesterday. I was idolatrous the day before. I was self-righteous a few hours ago. I have been proud since I was born. I hated God and shunned human beings from the age of eight to the age of fifteen. I still don't really know how to love either God or people; I fail in it every day, instant by instant.
Why do not the hands of the holy and justly offended God, the righteously angry God, open? Why does He not let me slip through His fingers into Hell?
Compassion. "I am brought very low," I say to God, with the Psalmist. "Let your compassion come speedily to meet me!" And God says, "the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed." He speaks comfort through the prophets, through the psalms, though stories and visions and parables and promises. Never wonder why the Christian says that God's word is life! And it is a lamp, as Christ is the morning star. More than a watchman waits for the morning, I wait for its dawning.
What is it, to be the bride of a star?
It hasn't been pretty, but it has been an excellent mirror. And now I am aware, all over again, of how desperately I need a Savior.
Ponder, if you will, the majesty and otherness of God for a few moments...
Job 38:4 (ESV) "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding."
Job 38:12-13 (ESV) "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?"
Job 38:16-17 (ESV) "Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? "
Job 38:35-36 (ESV) "Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?'"
Now, ponder anew the heart of man....
Selfishness
Avarice
Lying
Gossip
Lust
Anger
Fear of man
Pride
Envy
Murder
Idolatry
Self-righteousness
The list goes on and on, more detailed at every step, more excruciatingly pertinant to my own heart as I delve further into it. I was selfish yesterday. I was idolatrous the day before. I was self-righteous a few hours ago. I have been proud since I was born. I hated God and shunned human beings from the age of eight to the age of fifteen. I still don't really know how to love either God or people; I fail in it every day, instant by instant.
Why do not the hands of the holy and justly offended God, the righteously angry God, open? Why does He not let me slip through His fingers into Hell?
Compassion. "I am brought very low," I say to God, with the Psalmist. "Let your compassion come speedily to meet me!" And God says, "the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed." He speaks comfort through the prophets, through the psalms, though stories and visions and parables and promises. Never wonder why the Christian says that God's word is life! And it is a lamp, as Christ is the morning star. More than a watchman waits for the morning, I wait for its dawning.
What is it, to be the bride of a star?
posted by Praelucor at 9:59 PM
1 Comments:
Oh, what indeed? But someday we shall know, dear friend, even as we also are known. It is so good to see you preach the gospel, to yourself and to all who read--that in itself is an expression of love to God and to others. Oh, I have so much to say to you, but it will have to wait until we can actually talk; there's far too much for here :)
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