Ok - don’t get used to this again, but in my prayer time this morning I was directed to sing the song “Jesus I My Cross Have Taken” as I read and prayed through a chapter in the book Prone to Wander. I’m going to put down all the lyrics because it’s a beautiful song. This has been a hard year, and it may still get more difficult as we head into the fall and winter. I love the line in the third stanza: “Life with trials hard may press me; Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.” Then turn to all of stanza 5…just take in the truth of this great song. There is sweet rest with Jesus. May you and I rest in that each and every day!

1. Jesus, I my cross have taken, 
All to leave and follow Thee. 
Destitute, despised, forsaken, 
Thou from hence my all shall be. 
Perish every fond ambition, 
All I’ve sought or hoped or known. 
Yet how rich is my condition! 
God and heaven are still my own.

2. Let the world despise and leave me, 
They have left my Savior, too. 
Human hearts and looks deceive me; 
Thou art not, like them, untrue. 
O while Thou dost smile upon me, 
God of wisdom, love, and might, 
Foes may hate and friends disown me, 
Show Thy face and all is bright.

3. Man may trouble and distress me, 
’Twill but drive me to Thy breast. 
Life with trials hard may press me; 
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest. 
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me 
While Thy love is left to me; 
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me, 
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

4. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure, 
Come disaster, scorn and pain 
In Thy service, pain is pleasure, 
With Thy favor, loss is gain 
I have called Thee Abba Father, 
I have stayed my heart on Thee 
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather; 
All must work for good to me.

5. Soul, then know thy full salvation 
Rise o’er sin and fear and care 
Joy to find in every station, 
Something still to do or bear. 
Think what Spirit dwells within thee, 
Think what Father’s smiles are thine, 
Think that Jesus died to win thee, 
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

6. Haste thee on from grace to glory, 
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer. 
Heaven’s eternal days before thee, 
God’s own hand shall guide us there. 
Soon shall close thy earthly mission, 
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days, 
Hope shall change to glad fruition, 
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Co 1:4–9)

Provided to YouTube by TuneCore Jesus I My Cross Have Taken [Andrew Osenga] · Indelible Grace Music Pilgrim Days: Indelible Grace II ℗ 2008 Indelible Grace M...

Where do we find our calm? I remember as a child seeing the old Calgon bath commercial. It advertised that a bath with Calgon was a place where an exhausted mother could go to escape and find some peace. It seems we all need some Calgon these days. But we really need something much greater. We need to stop trying to figure everything out. Everyone wants an answer. Quite often demanding an answer. That will rarely bring calm and peace (truly…I don’t believe it ever will).

You can turn to one news station and ten minutes later turn to another and get whiplash from the massive differences in how things are reported. It’s overwhelming, and honestly, I don’t think it’s good for our souls. We often have this complex that we have to know all the answers. Well, let me put it simply. We don’t know all the answers. We (you) are not God. This does not mean we shouldn’t seek to be informed or to grow in our understanding of the way life works. But what it does mean - is that we need to learn to rest rather than to be constantly chasing after things that are perhaps a bit bigger than us.

Psalm 131 is a short and simple song of David. It is a psalm of confidence and of great rest. The controlling image is of a weaned child…calmed and quieted in his mother’s arms. It is so peaceful. It is true contentment. How does David get to that point? He humbles himself. He does not chase after things in arrogance and pride that are too big for him (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29). He places his hope and his trust solely in the one who has the power and ability and the wisdom to handle everything. He hopes and rests in God.

In some sense, this is an Old Testament version of Romans 8:28. We can rest and trust because we believe that God is working in all things…and we don’t need to know all the specifics. Let us look to God in calm and rest. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus (his life, death, and resurrection a perfect example of God working all things). Calm yourself in his presence. Trust and hope in the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore.

1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; 

my eyes are not raised too high; 

I do not occupy myself with things 

too great and too marvelous for me. 

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, 

like a weaned child with its mother; 

like a weaned child is my soul within me. 

3 O Israel, hope in the LORD 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

Here is the song “Psalm 131” by the band Waterdeep.

This morning part of my reading was James 3. Most of us are familiar with this as the famous “tongue” chapter. Here James draws out the power of the tongue. He starts the chapter with a warning; that not many should aspire to become teachers because the teacher will be judged more strictly, and we all know the tongue is not able to be restrained. The picture is a bit foreboding. For to describe the tongue as a restless evil, full of deadly poison (verse 8) is not really all that encouraging. And the words that follow are very pointed.

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

The contradiction that spouts forth from between our lips is not good. But there is another way that this incongruity is seen - in what we type/write. The times that we are living in seem to grow more and more vitriolic by the day. The way people “speak” on social media can be appalling. And whether I have typed it myself; I certainly have thought it and that brings culpability as well. It is disheartening to see Christians who have become so tribal and narrow in their views that anyone who does not think or say exactly what they want is fair game to be attacked. How can we curse those made in the likeness of God? This does not mean we cannot disagree, but there has to be a better way.  

Not surprisingly, James goes on to show us that better way.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

We must turn to the wisdom that is from above. It is wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. Wow!!! Imagine conversation (spoken or typed) that displayed that wisdom! Where do we get that?

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

all those who practice it have a good understanding. 

His praise endures forever! (Psalm 111:10; cf. Proverbs 15:33) 

The fear of the Lord - the knowledge of God - that is our wisdom. But it is more than that. The wisdom of God was, and is, most fully displayed in the One who came to be our wisdom and our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). The one who sprang from the stump of Jesse whom Isaiah described like this;

2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, 

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, 

the Spirit of counsel and might, 

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 

3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. 

He shall not judge by what his eyes see, 

or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 

4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, 

and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; 

and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, 

and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 

5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, 

and faithfulness the belt of his loins. (Isaiah 11:2-5)

And here’s what should blow every person who is “in Christ” - it should blow your mind. You are commanded to have that mindset within you (that way of acting), and - here is the amazing part - it is yours because you are in Christ Jesus - you are united to him by grace through faith (cf. Philippians 2:1-11, especially verse 5). Ponder that. Pray for that to be more visible. And praise God for that!

Two songs this morning. The first is by Wes King (“Sticks and Stones”) and the second is by Keith and Kristyn Getty (“The Perfect Wisdom of Our God”). Enjoy.

Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment Sticks And Stones · Wes King Sticks And Stones ℗ 1991 Reunion Records Inc. Producer: Gary Chapman Producer: J...

The official video for Keith and Kristyn Getty's song "The Perfect Wisdom Of Our God" off their album "Hymns For The Christian Life." Hymns For The Christian...

It is another Monday…and another Monday under ‘stay-at-home’ orders from the governor. Not only that, but (unless something drastic brings about change) there are going to be at least three more Mondays beyond today. And often Mondays are hard enough as it is for many, but when it’s under circumstances like what we find ourselves in…it can be all the more gloomy.

This gloominess can often lead to anxiety.

Anxiety: a.) apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated ill. b.) mentally distressing concern or interest. c.) a strong desire sometimes mixed with doubt, fear, or uneasiness.

And there is a weight to that on our lives. Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Our hearts need encouragement. We are commanded to encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We know that must include more than mere words (James 2:14-16); however, my focus today is on words. A good word can cheer the heart. A good word can bring life back to a weary soul. I think it’s obvious that the greatest word that can cheer the soul is the Word of God…the gospel that calls sinners to repent and by faith come and find rest for their weary souls (Matthew 11:28-30). It is the word that tells us our sins are forgiven and that nothing (literally nothing…not a pandemic, not distress or danger) can separate those who are ‘in Christ’ from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39).

We desperately, moment by moment, need to hear that word. And we can hear that by ourselves in God’s Word, but it is also great to hear words of encouragement from one another. Maybe today…pick up the phone and call someone. Pray for them. Or send them a text that you have prayed for them and you want to know how you can continue to pray. Drop off some fresh baked bread or cookies with a note of encouragement.

Let’s be conduits of the good word that makes the heart glad. And remember this, those in Christ, though literally all hell should break loose, it is well with our souls because Christ regarded our helpless estate and shed his own blood for our souls.

Together for the Gospel Live 2008 - Bob Kauflin Buy album here: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Albums/Together_for_the_Gospel_Live

When peace like a river attendeth my way 
When sorrows like sea billows roll 
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say 
It is well, it is well with my soul 

It is well with my soul 
It is well with my soul 
It is well, it is well with my soul 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come 
Let this blest assurance control 
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate 
And has shed His own blood for my soul 

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought 
My sin, not in part, but the whole 
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more 
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul 

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight 
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll 
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend 
Even so, it is well with my soul 

It’s Saturday morning, and as of late I have merely been posting a song. This is a song from the 1800’s, and though it has been redone, it still retains the beauty of the original verse. It is all based off of what is arguably the best known psalm in all of Scripture - Psalm 23. This is the psalm with the “hounds of heaven” - the goodness and mercy of the Lord that will pursue me all the days of my life. This is a psalm of tremendous comfort and hope, because it focuses on the Great Shepherd. Because it is so familiar, I encourage you to read it as well this morning in a different translation. I’ve included one below by Alec Motyer (an Irish scholar who died a few years ago. He said of himself: "I’m not really a scholar. I’m just a man who loves the Word of God.”).

(The Shepherd)

1. Yahweh is my shepherd:

I will not lack.

2. In pastures of fresh grass he makes me lie.

Beside secure waters he guides me.

3. He restores my soul.

He leads me along tracks of righteousness,

for the sake of his name.

(The Companion)

4. Even when I am walking in the valley of deadly shadows

I do not fear evil,

because you are ever with me:

your rod and your staff reassure me.

(The Host)

5. You lay a table before me,

in front of my adversaries.

You have refreshed my head with oil;

my cup is more than full!

6. But indeed good and committed love

will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will return to Yahweh’s house for ever.

And now to get to the song - “The King of Love” by I Am They.

I AM THEY - King Of Love: Song Sessions Free Chords + Lyrics: https://essentialworship.lnk.to/KingLoveTutorialID Stream or Download: https://essentialworship...

The King of Love my Shepherd is
Whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever
And He is mine forever

Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And where the verdant pastures grow
With food celestial feedeth

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is
The King of Love my Shepherd is

Lost and foolish off I strayed
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me

In death's dark veil I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me
Thy rod and staff my comfort still
Thy cross before to guide me

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is
The King of Love my Shepherd is

Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is

Never failing, Ruler of my heart
Everlasting, Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is
The King of Love my Shepherd is

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise
Within Your house forever
Within Your house forever

This morning I want to get back to the heart of God…I’m not sure there is a better place to focus than that. The text I turn to is Jeremiah 6:16.

16 Thus says the LORD: 

“Stand by the roads, and look, 

and ask for the ancient paths, 

where the good way is; and walk in it, 

and find rest for your souls.

Stand and look. The Lord is commanding the people to look…to think…to consider as a traveller does on a journey. They should take care to find their way. Matthew Henry, the great Bible commentator wrote: “O that men would be thus wise for their souls, and would ponder the path of their feet, as those that believe lawful and unlawful are of no less consequence to us than the right way and the wrong are to a traveller!”

And then we find another imperative - ask for the ancient paths. What are the paths? They are the way of faithfulness that had been given to Moses and the people. The paths are the way of God and that which he blesses. They are the way of godliness and righteousness and peace and joy. They are the way of God’s law.They are the way laid out in Holy Scripture…the written Word of God given to us to be treasured and followed. This is the good way that we are to walk in.

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed in the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 

nor stands in the way of sinners, 

nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 

2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law he meditates day and night. 

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water 

that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. 

In all that he does, he prospers. 

This ancient way is the way of delight in the Lord and in his ways. It is delight in his Word and in all that he has given us. It is following these ways even when the road seems quite rough. It is an ancient way, not necessarily a smooth way. It will likely cost you a bit of pain, but you will find much help along that way, and certainly the end of the journey will make it all worthwhile. It is a way that will bring rest to our souls. The way of faithful obedience is the way of true and lasting growth (John 15:1-17). And we have a forerunner, because this is the path that our Lord walked before us and in him we have the strength to walk it too.

Yet there is a little bit of the verse that I left out - the response: But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Let us not say the same thing. Let us walk the road before us. Let us take up our cross and follow our Lord on his path of obedience and blessing. It is the good road. It is the road that reveals the heart of God…that he desires the best for his children.

Below is a song by Andrew Peterson (by now you know I really appreciate his music). It’s called “You’ll Find Your Way.”

Music video by Andrew Peterson performing You'll Find Your Way. (P) (C) 2012 Centricity Music. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation ...

When I look at you, boy
I can see the road that lies ahead
I can see the love and the sorrow

Bright fields of joy
Dark nights awake in a stormy bed
I want to go with you, but I can’t follow

So keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way

Your first kiss, your first crush
The first time you know you’re not enough
The first time there’s no one there to hold you

The first time you pack it all up
And drive alone across America
Please remember the words that I told you

Keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way

If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

And I know you'll be scared when you take up that cross
And I know it'll hurt, 'cause I know what it costs
And I love you so much and it's so hard to watch
But you're gonna grow up and you're gonna get lost
Just go back, go back

Go back, go back to the ancient paths
Lash your heart to the ancient mast
And hold on, boy, whatever you do
To the hope that's taken hold of you
And you'll find your way
You'll find your way
If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

In light of the past few days on the blog, the song I am posting this morning is another from Rich Mullins - though originally from Fanny Crosby. Take time today and find in Scripture all the references in this song to the care of our Great Shepherd. Why should we not doubt his mercies? How is he such a comfort? How do we know that God does all things well? Where is the perfect rest promised?

The hymns of old are so often filled with rich Biblical allusions - take the time and find them and may your soul be strengthened by these words leading you to the fountain of living water.

All of the way my Savior leads me 
What have I to ask beside? 
Can I doubt His faithful mercies? 
Who through life has been my guide 
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort 
Ere by faith in Him to dwell 
For I know whatever fall me 
Jesus doeth all things well 

All of the way my Savior leads me 
And He cheers each winding path I tread 
Gives me strength for every trial 
And He feeds me with the living bread 
And though my weary steps may falter 
And my soul a-thirst may be 
Gushing from a rock before me 
Lo a spring of joy I see 

And all the way my Savior leads me 
Oh, the fullness of His love 
Perfect rest in me is promised 
In my Father's house above 
When my spirit clothed immortal 
Wings it's flight through the realms of the day 
This my song through endless ages 
Jesus led me all the way

Rich Mullins & Beaker play their version of Fanny J. Crosby's classic hymn, "All The Way My Savior Leads Me" at a concert in Holland, 1994.

I want to continue a bit more on what I wrote about yesterday. This is a theme that has been continually coming up in what I have been reading and studying. It all tends to relate back to the presence of God in the life of the believer. I decided to reread an old sermon by Jonathan Edwards called: “God the Best Portion.” Edwards’ message is a deep reflection on Psalm 73:25, yet it also reminded me of Isaiah 26:3.

3 You keep him in perfect peace 

whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you. 

This verse is a great promise of God, and we likely think about it in relation to the benefit we receive as believers - kept in perfect peace. However, I think the point is that the believer is looking to and trusting God alone. The believer is longing for God and his presence. Just a few verses later in that chapter we read:

8 In the path of your judgments, 

O LORD, we wait for you; 

your name and remembrance 

are the desire of our soul. 

9 My soul yearns for you in the night; 

my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. 

The soul of the believer yearns for God and his presence - because we know that the presence of the holy, infinite, eternal, unchangeable, gracious, good God is our good. Knowing who God is should draw us to him more and more. I think of our Larger Catechism question 7: “What is God?” The answer is this:

God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. (see also the Confession Chapter 2)

And to be honest, as good as that definition is, it cannot touch the depth and breadth of who God truly is. God is a God worth seeking, worth knowing, worth loving. He is the one for whom our souls should yearn. And as we get to know the God revealed in Scripture and most gloriously manifested to us in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, we cannot help but long for him. This God who gave himself for us to save us from our sins is our only true and lasting satisfaction and portion in all of life. The saint cannot be satisfied with anything less than God. That reminds me of a quote by Burroughs as well as one by Edwards from this message (and I may take another post to reflect a bit more on this message)

“Therefore you will observe, that whatever God may give to a gracious heart, a heart that is godly, unless he gives himself it will not do. A godly heart will not only have the mercy, but the God of that mercy as well; and then a little matter is enough in the world, so be it he has the God of the mercy which he enjoys.” ~ Burroughs

“Offer a saint what you will, [but] if you deny him God, he will esteem himself miserable. God is the center of his desires; and as long as you keep his soul from its proper center, it will not be at rest.“ ~ Edwards

Here is a song about longing for God’s presence by Shane and Shane.

The nearness of God is the greatness goodness we can experience while we reside on the planet earth. We want to not only know about God the Father, Son, and ...

For me, a place of rest and tranquility and peace would be waking up in tent looking out at the scene of the picture above. The mountains have always been a place to which I have been drawn. I love the serene beauty and the sounds of nothing but nature. If I could think of a place that would bring me contentment - this would be on the top of the list.

In our men’s groups we are studying the book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (and it is a book I would highly recommend). In our study last night and this morning we looked at a point the author made that a truly contented Christian is content with any condition/circumstance they find themselves in, but they are not satisfied. What he means is that a believer is content with what they are providentially given in this world (with affliction, with blessing…whatever), yet the only thing that truly satisfies a believer is God and his presence.

Psalm 73:25: Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

It also reminded me of Psalm 16 (which we have looked at a few times in this blog). Burroughs made this point: “A little in the world will content a Christian for his passage, but all the world, and ten thousand times more, will not content a Christian for his portion.” The only portion that will satisfy is God himself (Psalms 16:5; 73:28).

From there Burroughs went to Philippians 4:7,9: 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Do you see the difference between verse 7 & 9? It moves from the “peace of God” being with you to the “God of peace” being with you. And Burroughs writes: “Here is what I would observe from this text, That the peace of God is not enough to a gracious heart except it may have the God of that peace.”

The blessings of God are wonderful, but without God himself they mean very little. A Christian will only truly be content with God himself. We don’t just want the grace of God…we long for the God of grace. We don’t merely rejoice in the mercy of God…we rejoice in the God of mercy.

It is the presence of God that brings the Christian to contentment. The covenant of God with his people could be summarized with this promise: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” God will be our God…we will be in his presence. And through Christ God has dwelt with us (John 1:14). And he will be with us to the very end of the age…and we will be with him forever. That is our greatest joy and our greatest longing.

Here is a song that goes back to my youth group days, but it still speaks just as strongly. It’s “My One Thing” by Rich Mullins. (see THIS for a live version - and it reminded me of seeing Rich live in high school and singing this song in the audience)

Today is Saturday and I slept in - therefore this post is going to be simply an great song. I recently came to know the group CityAlight (they are an Australian church - great lyrics and good music) and we have sang a couple of their songs at church (which I cannot wait to do again). Here is one of my favorites, and I certainly think it applies to our current situation.

Before you play the song - just a reminder - the place we learn the truths in this song is not from this song, but from Scripture. Don’t let the lack of routine in this time keep you from Scripture - let this time drive you more and more into Scripture.

“Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me”

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

CityAlight ~ Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me (Lyrics) get "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2T15n2J Apple Music: https://appl...

As I have written previously, I continue to dig deep into my collection of music, and not surprisingly, old hymns (mostly re-tuned) have been some of the most beneficial in this time. There is something that the old hymn writers knew of God in the midst of sorrow, pain, doubt, fear, worry, and more.

Today I turn to a hymn originally written by John Newton. Newton’s mother died when he was seven, but she had taught him the Bible at a very young age, and that proved beneficial later in life. At age 11 he started a life at sea. He was not a man of faith, but rather quite godless. He later wrote of his life of moral abandon: “I sinned with a high hand, and made it my study to tempt and seduce others.” His life at sea was not easy. At one point he was flogged as a deserter from the navy and spent 15 months living as a half-starved and poorly treated slave in Africa.

It wasn’t until later in his life at sea that Newton was converted. And it was surprisingly as he commanded a slave ship that his faith matured (which may seem a bit contradictory). Once he left the life at sea he was influenced by the Wesleys and George Whitefield and became increasingly disgusted with the slave trade and how he had taken part in it. He also became acquainted with William Cowper, a very skilled poet, but also one who knew depression all too well. I don’t know this, but I would not be surprised if the words of this hymn were influenced by his friendship with Cowper (and certainly by his own life experiences).

Take time and read through these words, listen to the music, and let the truth of God’s covenant love and grace soothe your heart. As believers we are graven on the heart of our God and he will never let us go (John 10:28). There is no safer (or more blessed) place than in the arms of our Savior and in the presence of our God.

Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what Christ the Savior says.
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise.
Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
May he help thee to believe!
Then thou presently wilt see,
Thou hast little cause to grieve.

"Fear thou not, nor be ashamed,
All thy sorrows soon shall end.
I who heaven and earth have framed,
Am thy husband and thy friend.
I the High and Holy One,
Israel's GOD by all adored,
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord."

"For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain,
But my mercies I'll renew,
Thou shalt soon rejoice again.
Though I scorn to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease.
'Tis but for a moment's space,
Ending in eternal peace."

"When my peaceful bow appears,
Painted on the watery cloud,
Its to dissipate thy fears,
Lest the earth should be o’erflowed.
'Tis an emblem too of grace,
Of my covenant love a sign.
Though the mountains leave their place,
Thou shalt be forever mine.

Thou afflicted, tempest-tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou can be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart.
All thy walls I will repair,
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew,
And in thee it shall appear,
What a God of love can do.

Unlike many people, I don’t really dislike Mondays. Typically it’s my day off…a day to rest and recover a bit from a busy and draining (in a good way) Sunday. That has felt different over the past 5 weeks or so. I don’t have the same tiredness, but there is still emotional drain - and today with the cloudy and rainy skies and the temperature dropping - it’s a bit gloomy (especially as I type from a dark basement).

And the gloominess is a bit of picture of the longness of these days were are living in right now. There is uncertainty and (at least a bit of) trepidation. What is going to happen? When is the country going to open up again? Will we be safe from this virus? And sometimes the peace that we long for is hard to hold on to or even come by, but we have to go to the only source of peace in the midst of the uncertainty.

I think of Isaiah 26:3,4:

3 You keep him in perfect peace 

whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you. 

4 Trust in the LORD forever, 

for the LORD God is an everlasting rock. 

Our Lord is our everlasting rock. He is the Rock of Ages. He is the one who can (and will) keep us in perfect peace. We are to labor to find rest in him. Our eyes must be fixed on him in the midst of whatever we are going through. He has proved his status as our rock over and over and over again. We can trust him. The resurrection of Jesus was the ultimate picture for us that our God is to be trusted. Our God gives us peace. Our God secures our hope. He truly is the anchor of our soul.

There is a great song written by Sandra McCracken called “Rock of Ages (When the Day Seems Long). [Here is a second version of it by Indelible Grace] Listen and let the words of truth wash over your soul. Our God is our solid and secure rock!

Lyrics written by Sandra McCracken and the music written by Indelible Grace's Kevin Twit. It has a nice haunting melody mixed with strains of Celtic influences.

Today I am providing another guest post by Tristan. I so wish we could be together this evening for a service. I pray that today you meditate on this most important of days in the ministry of Jesus. Without this suffering, we would have no hope.

On Good Friday, the Church remembers Jesus’ death on the cross. And while it can be a bit off-putting to call something so terrible as death “good”, in this case, that label seems to be the most appropriate term at our disposal if we understand it properly. 

There are a number of places where the word “good” is used in Scripture, but it is perhaps most familiar to us in the creation account found in Genesis 1. As God knits together heaven and earth, fills the sky and the sea, allows the dry land to flourish, and, at last, creates man in his own image, there is this refrain: And God saw that it was good. The creation account finds its culmination in verse 31 where the text tells us, And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. In the beginning, God creates, and his creation is good. But this “good” isn’t the same “good” that I might use to describe freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies or an evening spent with friends. It is not the bottom tier of the “good, better, best” spectrum. No, this “good” is as good as it gets. In fact, the Hebrew word tov, which we translate “good,” actually has connotations of perfection or wholeness. It is as though God has said about his creation: “My work is complete; it simply cannot be improved upon.” 

And this is the same understanding of good warranted by its usage to describe the Friday on which our Savior was crucified. When God declared his creation good, it was in perfect relationship with him. But our sin destroyed this relationship. By violating God’s commandments, we made ourselves unfit to stand in his presence. That is why we need Jesus. Our only hope of returning to the goodness of Eden was through the death of a sinless Savior. 

In the account of the crucifixion we learn that, as Jesus breathed his last, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom (Mt. 27:51). In the Old Testament, the veil existed to keep the people of Israel from the direct presence of God. It’s not as though God didn’t want to have a relationship with his people. In fact, he created us for loving relationship with him. But, because God is also just, he must respond to sin by punishing it. He knew that, as a sinful people, Israel could not avoid his wrath with their sin unatoned for. The veil was a reminder that there was no way for them to be in right relationship with God on their own. But with Jesus’ death, all of that changed. Jesus is the way to the Father. 

In many ways, Jesus’s final words echo those of his Father at creation. As Jesus cries It is finished, he declares once and for all that his work is complete. It is perfect. It cannot be improved upon. Jesus’s death for our sins means that, by believing in him, we are on our way back to Eden, to the new heavens and the new earth, to perfect union with God. And that is good news indeed!

And then let me add another song choice - this one by Andrew Peterson. It is a meditative song that goes through the last words of Christ from the cross, appropriately called “Last Words (Tenebrae).” And because of the large repertoire of songs for this season, here is a great hymn: “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.”

Holy Week, Day 6: Friday Friday, April 3, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Saturday: https://vimeo.com/89436644 The link for Palm Sunday: vimeo.com/89013208 The link for Monday: vimeo.com/89117797 The link for Tuesday: vimeo.com/89651201 The link for Wednesday: vimeo.com/89420035 The link for Thursday: https://vimeo.com/89420081

Lately I have taken to use the old Book of Common Prayer as an aid in some of my time with the Lord. For the night prayer it begins with “The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.” Then there is a suggested confession of sin (a good practice at the end of the day). But what I want to turn to is the Psalmody - Psalm 4; 31:1-6; 91; 134 (these are all recommended to read at night). In particular I want to look at Psalm 4.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have given me relief when I was in distress.

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;

the LORD hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

In particular I want to highlight verses 6-8. Contextually, the psalmist (David) is in distress - he is in the midst of some pretty troubling circumstances. However, he is also quite confident in the Lord - that the Lord will hear the prayer of the godly (the faithful ones). When we come to verse 6 there is an answer to a taunt of sorts. The insolent insinuate that there is nothing good. Then comes the plea to the Lord: Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD! To have the Lord’s face put upon you is a great blessing (see Numbers 6:25,26). So, in essence, he is making an appeal for the presence of the Lord. And then the statement that is fairly shocking (not shocking as untrue, but shocking as to the weight of it) - that the Lord’s presence has brought more joy in the heart than any abundance of wealth and goods. This is something we confess, but how often do we experience this?

I think as we have had so much pulled away from us in this very strange time that perhaps the Lord is showing us this reality. He is showing us what matters the most. As I’m stuck in our bedroom for who knows how long, I want the joy of the Lord. I want the presence of the Lord and the blessing of that presence.

So as I laid down last night I went to sleep with the promise of verse 8 that is based on the presence of God - and in his presence I (and all his children) can sleep with confidence in the Lord.

It was harder to think of song to go with all this, but this one will work - and I don’t believe you’ll need the lyrics. It’s called “Give Me Jesus” by Fernando Ortega. May this be the cry of our hearts and the basis of our confidence.

Yesterday was a good day in my neck of the woods. The sun was shining. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The neighborhood was buzzing with socially distant activity - and that is where the ominous nature of all this still pressed through. There was joy mixed with sorrow. It was again a surreal experience. If you let it, that dichotomy of existence….it could weigh you down.

Even in the midst of a beautiful day, there is still distress. There is trouble. What is going to happen with all of this? What decisions will our leaders make next that deeply affect each and every one of us? So much feels completely out of our control - because it is.

As I was reading in John 16 this morning I was reminded how out of control the disciples felt - and how confused and sorrowful, and certainly weighed down by the prospects of what would come next.

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus had told them that he is going away. But then he said something shocking. That it was to their advantage for him to leave. How could that be? How could it be that they would be better off if Jesus, their teacher and Lord, left them? What does he say next? That the Holy Spirit would come. That he would convict the world in various realms. That He, as the Spirit of truth, would guide the disciples into al truth - the truth about Christ and salvation. And the truth that Christ has gone and prepared a place for his children (John 14:1-4).

Now the context of this text is that Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death - for his gruesome crucifixion. It will be a time when the world rejoices in its apparent victory. Jesus says to them: 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

By all accounts, on that Friday it seemed as though Jesus was a bit of a fraud. But soon that day would be seen for the good that it is, because Christ’s death and resurrection secured salvation for all believers. It no longer is a time of mourning (though there is that because of our sin that demanded it), but of great rejoicing. And that joy no one can take way (John 16:22).

Not the rejoicing of the world. Not the uncertainty of life right now. Not the oddities of a virus that no one truly understands. Nothing…no one can take the joy of salvation from Christ’s people.

And then the last words of this chapter: 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

Jesus knows what we need. He knew what the disciples needed to hear. They needed to hear of the work of the Spirit (and all believers have that same Spirit - indwelling us, always with us). They needed to hear that though they would have sorrow (facing reality is good) - they truly can have peace. They needed to hear that though they would experience tribulation in the world, yet Christ has overcome the world. And that is the source and ground and solid foundation of peace.

And as I think about myself, I experience the weighing down of all this. What change will all of this bring about? How is life going to be different. And then I need to return to the place of rest and peace. I am so thankful for the Spirit of God - may He rest upon us all.

Here’s a song for today - “Rest Upon Us” by Caedmon’s Call.

My soul is weary, and my cup is dry,
I am so in need of you,
Though my rightesousness is rags,
Your mercies are new

So Lord, come down to me,
So my heart can see,
How encompassing your grace can be

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
Breath of God, touch my soul,
Come unfailing love of Jesus,
Rest upon us, rest upon us,

My mind is heavy and my days are long,
I lift my eyes up in the night,
My heart it weighs me down,
But your burden is light,

So Lord, come walk with me
Until my heart believes
All the bounties that your grace can bring

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
Breath of God, touch my soul,
Come unfailing love of Jesus,
Rest upon us, rest upon us,

I will wait for you
I will wait for you
You rest upon us
Come rest upon us

It’s day 1 of the true “stay at home” order; however, for most of us life hasn’t really changed much. We’ve been acting this way. We’ve been staying “socially distant” from others and only going out for essential items. But now it’s a bit more official, and it feels a little more…I don’t know how to put it…ominous is some way. Not in the sense of doomsday, but just a little bit more unsettling.

In and of itself, this time is not peaceful. Though we may be at home and less hectic, the nature of what we are going through does not engender peace in us. It brings up worry, fear, anxiety, fretting, uncertainty, and much more. It’s not merely concern about health, but about the economy and the future. It goes to show where our peace is actually found. So much of what the world (and we) have likely relied on for peace and security has been blatantly removed from us. We need true peace.

John 14 - the beginning of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.” There is so much in this chapter that we could look at, but I will only draw our attention to one verse:

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

There is something decidedly different about the peace of Christ. Take some time and meditate on how different and greater the peace of Christ is than any other source of peace we could rely upon. His peace is peace within the storm. It is peace in the good, in the bad, in the ugly (sorry, that just kind of rolled right off the keyboard). But this is a time for you to consider his peace. Take some time and pray and thank God for the peace that is everlasting, that is surpassingly great, that is beyond understanding, that touches every area of life. Christ’s peace is solid and secure. It is everlasting.

Two songs for you today. The first is from the Gettys. I’ll post these lyrics:

May the peace of God, our heav'nly Father,
And the grace of Christ, the risen Son,
And the fellowship of God the Spirit
Keep our hearts and minds within His love.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

May this peace which passes understanding,
And this grace which makes us what we are,
And this fellowship of His communion,
Make us one in spirit and in heart.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Here is the second, by Fernando Ortega. It’s a beautiful song. Enjoy.