Hosanna

There was a man who smiled like the sunrise
His face I can’t forget
His love displayed was unlike any other
He humbly dressed just like a vagabond with
Discourse like a King
And when he talked the angels stopped to listen

Hosanna
Filio David (Son of David)
Hosanna
In Altisimis (in the Highest)

He often spoke about a Kingdom coming
His words I can’t forget
Where all who come may rest beneath His mercy
Where royalty is flowing through the veins of
Every citizen
And every soul is treasured like a promise

Jason Morant, 2006

Grace, all sufficient.

March 4, Morning,
Mr. Spurgeon writes:
"If none of God's saints were poor and tried, we would not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has nowhere to lay his head, who yet can say, "Still will I trust in the Lord;" when we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who still glories in Jesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, who yet has faith in Christ, oh! what honor it reflects on the Gospel. God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers. Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing 'that all things work together for [their] good' (Rom. 8:28), and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring—that their God will either deliver then speedily, or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace. There is a lighthouse out at sea. It is a calm night. I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm. The tempest must rage about it, and then, I will know whether it will stand. So with the Spirit's work. If it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we would not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it, we should not know how firm and secure it was. The masterpieces of God are those who stand steadfast and unmovable in the midst of difficulties—'Calm mid the bewildering cry, confident of victory.' He who would glorify his God must set his account upon meeting with many trials. No man can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts are many. If yours, then, is a much tried path, rejoice in it, because you will all the better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God. As for his failing you, never dream of it—hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end."

grace.
the gospel.
all sufficient.
enough.

watch. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=faf0159744aecaf5c732
_ _ _ _ _

On the other hand: the best of friends cannot all be found upon bookshelves

A friend challenged me this week about the meaning of reciprocal friendship and whether I could really call a dearly-loved author, my close friend. So to clarify, while I benefit much from the companions on my bookshelf, by no means do I take lightly the gift of real-life fellowship. (Pr. 27:17).

Mrs. Groveman captures well my sentiments:
An old friend visits, and time passes by. Memories upon memories knit together the tapestry of friendship bonded; love molded. What is it that draws two people together? Is it common likeness, or interests and intellect? Is it gifting, or some mirrored reflection of your very self seen in this new person? Time reveals the hidden motives, and tests the bond of true fellowship. It indeed is a mystery why two people become friends. I am convinced it is the blessing of God. Unity is a gift from above, and it is that unity that draws you together. You enjoy a similar author, or painting, or a reflection on a particular Bible passage. Somehow, you realize that in all the vastness of this universe, there is someone who sees the world from similar eyes. This too, is the blessing of Him who watches over us. It becomes like the spring rain on the mountains; the balm of Gilead; touched by the Spirit of God. A gift given from Him to a most undeserving recipient. It is rare in this life, and there are many who walk through this world without ever experiencing true friendship. The vulnerability that is required in giving of oneself, requires the cross of Jesus Christ. It is only in giving that we truly receive; and it is this vulnerability that opened the way for all men to find freedom from sin. His example of friendship to His redeemed, sets the stage for all true friendship. Only in embodying this example do we find true peace and joy. "We love, because He first loved us" 1 John

And Mr. Lewis writes of this costly gift:
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable...."

transparent, vulnerable, sweet and costly fellowship.
only grace makes this possible...

what a gift.

Some of my best friends... are dead.

It may seem strange to count someone who is no longer living and whom you've never met as a dear friend, but I think these two would qualify as such: Charles Spurgeon (an old friend) & Thomas Watson (a new friend). These men challenge the way I think, compel me to know and love Christ more, and spur me on to serve the folks I interact with on a daily basis. I would read these books aloud to you if I had your permission and you happened to be sitting in my living room right now. But seeing as that's not the case, I hope this brief glimpse would encourage you to pick up a book or two.

Mr. Watson Writes: His Exact Curious Working, Every providence has a mercy or a wonder wrapt up in it. God's wisdom is never at a loss; but when providences are darkest, then the morning star of deliverance appears. It is hard to have the heart low when comfort is high. God sees humility to be better for us than joy. It is better to want comfort, and be humble, than to have it, and be proud. In case we are low in the world, or have but little oil in the cruse, let us rest in God's wisdom. He sees it best; it is to cure pride and wantonness.When we wonder what God is doing with us, and are ready to kill ourselves with care; let us rest in God's wisdom. He knows best what He has to do. "His footsteps are not known" (Psalm 77:19). Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. God is most in His way, when we think He is most out of the way (from "A Body of Divinity").

Mr. Spurgeon Writes: (Regarding Psalm 44:17-19, "All this has come upon us; but we have not forgotten You, nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from Your way; but You have severely broken us in the place of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.) Though utterly crushed and rendered desolate and driven as it were to associate with creatures which haunt deserted ruins, yet Israel remained faithful. To be true to a smiting God, even when the blows lay our joys in ruinous heaps, is to be such as the Lord delights in. (from "The Treasury of David").

And one more from Mr. Spurgeon: It is always the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us pay attention to ourselves instead of to Christ. He insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you do not have the joy of His children; you have such a weak hold of Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self. He tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you; it is Christ! It is not your joy in Christ that saves you; it is Christ! It is not even your faith in Christ that saves you, though that is the instrument, but it is Christ's blood and His merits that save you! Therefore, do not look as much to your hand, with which you are grasping Christ, as to Christ. Do not look to your hope, but to Jesus, the Source of your hope. Do not look to your faith, but to "Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith" (Hebrews 12:2). We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our actions, or our feelings. It is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan, and have peace with God, it must be by looking unto Jesus. Keep your eyes simply on Him. Let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, and His intercession be fresh on your mind. When you wake in the morning, look to Him. When you lie down at night, look to Him. Oh, do not let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus. Follow hard after Him ad He will never fail you (from "Morning and Evening").

Stupidity: Sovereignly Redeemed

The following account of Martin Luther is taken from a message by John Piper. I love the truth of God's sovereignty he so plainly speaks of, and how history has only but proven this truth! God uses us—weak, fearful, confused sinners—to accomplish His great plans and purposes in spite of ourselves. As I read my Bible this morning, new gratefulness for men like Calvin and Luther and even Frederick of Saxony who protected Luther, flooded over me. They stood boldly to preserve this precious Word and to teach it faithfully to all who would listen. Yes, God is a redeemer, not only of our foolish decisions, but of our foolish hearts which, without His love first poured out, would never have turned to Him.

"Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben to a copper miner who wanted him so badly to be a lawyer. And he was on his way to being a lawyer. In 1502, at the age of 19, he received his Bachelors degree, ranking, unimpressively, 30th of 57 in his class. In January, 1505 he received his Master of Arts at Erfurt and ranked second among 17 candidates. That summer the providential Damascus-like experience happened.

On July 2, on the way home from law school, he was caught in a thunderstorm and was literally knocked off his horse by lightening. Luther was so frightened that he cried out, 'Help me, St. Anne; I will become a monk.' In other words, since he did not know the safety of the gospel, he took the next best thing which was the safety of the monastery. And to his father's utter dismay, he kept his vow two weeks later. On July 17, 1505 he knocked at the gate of the Augustinian Hermits in Erfurt and asked to be accepted, which he was. Now later on he admitted that was a blatant sin—what he did. He went against his father’s will and he did it out of fear. Then he added, 'But oh, how much good the merciful Lord has allowed to come of it!' And just a parenthetical encouragement to you, reading biography and church history is so hope-giving because you see the providence of God overcoming foolish decisions. And some of you right now are in crises because of very stupid decisions that you’ve made. And you are wondering whether there is any future for marriage, for parenting, for ministry. And the answer is: The sovereignty of God manifest in this ungodly, carnal decision of Martin Luther, that sovereignty of God is great enough to do wonders through your stupid decisions. Because He did... with Martin Luther."


Take a minute to read through the article. It is sure to edify...
Martin Luther: Lessons from His Life and Labor
John Piper, Bethlehem Baptist Pastor’s Conference, 1996.

strange treasures in this world appear...

This old hymn has rolled over and over in my car this week and seems to grow sweeter each time. If this is the field where hidden lies the pearl of greatest price, it must be of infinite value, no matter its appearance upon first glance.


Laden With Guilt
Lyrics: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Laden with guilt and full of fears,
I fly to Thee my Lord,
And not a glimpse of hope appears,
But in Thy written word
The volumes of my Father's grace
Does all my griefs assuage
Here I behold my Saviour's face
In every page

This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown
That merchant is divinely wise
Who makes the pearl his own
Here consecrated waters flow
To quench my thirst of sin
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows
No danger dwells within

This is the judge that ends the strife
Where wit and reason fail
My guide to everlasting life
Throughout this gloomy vale
O may Thy counsels, mighty God
My roving feet command
Nor I forsake the happy road
That leads to Thy right hand

The Israelites: He Will Provide

Themes sometimes tend to dominate for a season.

I think when the Lord is seeking to get a particular message across, He brings clarity by allowing different aspects of His Word to hit us all at once from many directions. For me, the most recent theme can be summed up by the words of this song about the children of Israel. It's an older song I first heard several years ago, but today the Lord used it once again to speak in power:

Exodus

breathing in this desert air
grumbling voices fill my ears
a month of freedom in my hand
i thought it would be different here

though in bondage i was full
i wanted to be free
yet here i am in need of you
Lord, come provide for me

I am here, wipe away your tears
I am here, I will provide
I will provide with My bread of life
I will provide, I will provide, I am here

this evening i think of the land
that i was freed from once again
but this time i know i will see
Your glory in the morning

as the dew is lifted from the ground
revealing bread of heaven for your child
i find that there's enough to meet my needs
but to gather it up isn't easy

I am here, wipe away your tears
I am here, I will provide, I will provide

Psalm 77:19 "Your way was through the sea, Your path through the great waters; yet Your footprints were unseen." Lord, even when Your footprints are unseen, will You give faith enough to follow? Your Name is Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord Will Provide."