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Saved FROM Death, Saved TO Life

From Depths of Hell Thy People Save

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text which invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s think about this.

From Death

The opening line of this stanza identifies Emmanuel through His connection to the patriarch of Israel named Jesse. The next line begins to explain that role by declaring He is to be our rescuer. But this begs the question, “Rescue them from what?”

When you look at the first level of rescue, particularly as it pertains to the people of Israel, you see the longing for Emmanuel to rescue them from exile. As you probe deeper, you realize that the physical exile, as real as it was, pointed to a deeper, spiritual one, with eternal implications. Emmanuel’s deliverance includes more than a return to the Promised land. That one foreshadows a more profound deliverance from hell, which the verse below refers to as Sheol.

From depths of hell Thy people save,

For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 86:13 ESV

Here is the first expression of His great love for us, deliverance from the depths of hell and eternal separation from God. Sheol is the Hebrew word for the abode of the dead, which will not be the home of any who look to the Branch of Jesse’s stem for rescue. Instead, they have been saved and granted eternal life. 

But is that the only deliverance accomplished, eternal separation from God in the depths of hell? No. Certainly His coming to us not only fulfilled prophecy, but in so doing saved us from the wages we had earned, death and hell. This is the greatest expression of His deliverance, but there is more.

Ultimately, we do not get what we deserve. This is true at every level:

  • spiritually
  • physically
  • relationally
  • mentally

Are there simpler, smaller ways where you need to see that rescue? Things you are facing in this season from which you are desperate to be delivered? Do not hesitate to ask, but first start with some praise.

 

RESONATE!
Give praise to God for not giving you what you deserved. Your sin and mine separated us from God eternally before we could even do anything about it. And He made a way out of it, by descending into hell and defeating it. There are many expressions of that deliverance. Are there particular ways you are longing for it today? Ask for it.

To Life

And Give Them Victory O’er the Grave

Not getting what you deserved, and getting what you did not deserve are two very different things. Not only did we not get hell, and eternal separation from God, but we do get victory over death and an eternity with God. Now that is some good news.

This image captures it well. Even though we die and are buried in the ground there is hope beyond the grave. The butterfly reminds us of that.

It goes into the cocoon as a lowly caterpillar and emerges a beautiful butterfly. We too will be transformed into something very different demonstrating our victory over the grave. All of this the work of the Branch of Jesse’s stem, Emmanuel.

And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV

This is a quote from Hosea and a small part of a larger passage about the reality of the resurrection and its result in us. Not only are we saved from hell, but we have victory over the grave. Jesus’ coming made a way for all of this to be true.

RESONATE!
Give praise to God for getting what you did not deserve. You get victory over the grave. Hallelujah! Ask Him to come to you again this season and demonstrate that victory in smaller ways to help you see Him with you even while you wait for His to come again. 

Jesus, thank You for delivering me from death and giving me victory over the grave. Help me walk in it this Advent season, into Christmas and the New Year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Transformed Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Podcast 24.3 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 ESV

Indeed that Branch came, the One promised from ages past. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise, and He will return again. And who is the fruit? We are! Connected to the stump of Jesse, we should bear good fruit. Are you? Ask the Spirit to reveal if you are.

Unto Thine own and rescue them!

He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12 ESV

Like Israel, our sins had kept us from walking in the presence of God. Even still, He made a way for us to become His own, and rescue us from our exile. He grafted us into the Branch and gave us life. Thank the Father for making a way for our banishment to end.

From depths of hell Thy people save,

For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 86:13 ESV

Here is the first expression of His great love for us, deliverance from the depths of hell and eternal separation from God. Sheol is the Hebrew word for the abode of the dead, which will not be our home because we have been saved and granted eternal life. Give Him praise!

And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV

This is a quote from Hosea and a small part of a larger passage about the reality of the resurrection and its result in us. Not only are we saved from hell, but we have victory over the grave. Jesus’ coming made a way for all of this to be true. Ask Him to come to you again this season.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Saved FROM Death, Saved TO Life appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
From Depths of Hell Thy People Save – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hell-purgatory-heaven-stairs-path-735995/
And Give Them Victory O’er the Grave – https://pixabay.com/photos/tombstone-cemetery-grave-butterfly-660890/

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Reconnecting, and Remaining So

O Come Thou Branch of Jesse’s Stem

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text that invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s tune our hearts.

Stump

The writer has taken a bit of poetic liberty here. Emmanuel is more accurately a branch or shoot from the stump of Jesse, not his stem. The word stump may not rhyme as well, but it conjures a more accurate picture of the dismal state of the people of God as they waited on the promised Emmanuel. We would do well to consider for a moment just how dire that position was.

Because of their failure to keep their covenant with God, He had fulfilled His promise to them that He would exile them from His presence. They chose to follow their own desires as opposed to the clear commands of God. They had been scattered to the four corners of the earth, driven out of their inheritance, cut off from the promises of God with no hope of return.

There are many ways in which our experience parallels theirs.

Because of our failure to honor God with our lives, He kept His word to have nothing to do with those in sin, so we were separated from His presence. We chose to follow our own desires as opposed to the clear commands of God. We had been scattered to the ends of the earth, driven away from the ways and will of God, cut off from the roots of our relationship to Him with not hope of reconnecting.

So our cry echoes theirs.

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 ESV

He came, not because we deserved it. He came to keep His word, and provide a way for us to once again bear the fruit. We, like they, are reconnected, even grafted into the shoot that sprang forth to fulfill this promise.

Indeed that Branch came, the One promised from ages past. Jesus is the shoot, the fulfillment of the promise and He will bear fruit. And who is the fruit? We are! Connected to the stump of Jesse we should bear good fruit. Are you? 

We invite Him again to come, the One who is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. The implication to this name is that we be connected to Him as He is the source of our life. Are you connected to the Branch of Jesse’s stem? 

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to reveal if you are bearing fruit. Whether you are or not reveals the strength of your connection to Him. Healthy, well-connected branches bear fruit. Jesus, show me the strength of my connection to You and help me to bear fruit.

Branch

Unto Thine Own and Rescue Them

There are seasons in each of our lives when we fail to bear fruit. While that may seem natural since there are seasons for every purpose under heaven, it is not the supernatural reality the Branch of Jesus has invited us to live. We are to be evergreens.

So how do we escape the cycle of bearing fruit and not bearing fruit? We look to God for help staying connected. That connection and the constant nurturing of it rescues us from ourselves.

And it is His promise and our prayer that gives us the hope reconnection is possible, even probable. That connection, based on our faith in Him, is what makes us His own. Our rescue flows out of that relationship. Are you nurturing that connection and relationship? If you are going to bear the fruit of that connection you must.

Unto Thine own and rescue them!

He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12 ESV

Like Israel, our sins had kept us from walking in the presence of God. Even still, He made a way for us to become His own, and rescue us from our exile. He grafted us into the Branch and gave us life.

RESONATE!
We deserved our banishment, and we do not deserve being gathered back to God, yet that is exactly what He has promised and accomplished. Thank the Father for making a way for our banishment to end and the opportunity to be grafted into His life it creates. Now we must continue to look to Him for the grace to stay connected. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay connected. Spirit, help me nurture my connection to the Branch of Jesse, Jesus my Savior.

Jesus, thank You for being the Branch of Jesse, and providing a way for me who was banished to be brought back to You. Help me stay connected so I can enjoy the life You offer. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Connected Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 24.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

We invite Him again to come, the One who is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. The implication to this name is that we be connected to Him as He is the source of our life. Are you connected to the Branch of Jesse’s stem? Ask Him to reveal your connection.

Jesus, show me the strength of my connection to You.

That connection, based on our faith in Him, is what makes us His own. Our rescue flows out of that relationship. Are you nurturing that connection and relationship? If you are going to bear the fruit of that connection you must. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay connected.

Spirit, help me stay connected to Jesus.

So what does that connection rescue us from? Eternal separation from God in the depths of hell. His coming to us not only fulfilled prophecy, but in so doing saved us from the wages we had earned, death and hell. Give praise to God for not giving you what you deserved.

God, thank You for not giving me what I deserved.

Not getting what you deserved, and getting what you did not deserve are two very different things. Not only did we not get hell, and eternal separation from God, but we do get victory over death and an eternity with God. Give praise to God for getting what you did not deserve.

God, I praise You for giving me what I did not deserve.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Reconnecting, and Remaining So appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s Stem – https://pixabay.com/photos/annual-rings-wood-sawed-off-474927/
Unto Thine Own and Rescue Them – https://pixabay.com/photos/stump-bud-hope-nature-3581917/

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This Is the Way, Walk In It

To Us the Path of Knowledge Show

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text which invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s think about this.

Seeing the Path

It can sometimes be difficult to identify the path ahead of you. Sometimes it is because the tress are so thick it is hard to see. Sometimes it is just dark. Sometimes it is challenging to lift your head enough to make anything out at all.

If you are going to be successful in any endeavor you must have some perspective and some clarity. Without the former, you are likely to settle into whatever makes you comfortable. Without the latter, you may be inclined to wander aimlessly, moving around but getting nowhere.

As you think about finishing this year and starting the new one soon, do any of these circumstances describe what you are going through? Maybe you are having trouble finding your way and you are struggling. Maybe you have asked for help but it does not seem to be coming. Whatever the case, this stanza offers a simple solution through a simply prayer.

To us the path of knowledge show,

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 ESV

His paths are not ours, but He welcomes us to leave the ones we are on and join Him. If you truly want to walk the path of knowledge, ask Him to show it to you, realizing it may very well be small, daily adjustments you will need to make. Those adjustments may be all that is required of you to learn His paths.

One of the ways He orders the things in your life, the prayer from the previous line in the hymn, is by revealing the very path of knowledge. When you know the way to go, that which knowledge dictates, you have a better opportunity to take it. 

RESONATE!
I know it seems too simple, but it is very important you ask Him to show you His path. He wants to do it.  But He does want s to want it. Ask Jesus to show you the path of knowledge. 

Taking It

And Teach Us in Its Ways To Go

It is one thing to know the path, to be able to see it, identify it.  It is another thing altogether to walk it. But having a companion along the way, one who knows the path can make a huge difference.

You are never alone. God is always with you. Always showing. Always teaching. Are you watching? Is this your prayer?

And teach us in its ways to go.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 ESV

He has promised He will instruct and teach us, but notice it is a very personal thing. He is going to counsel us, and have His eye on us. How remarkable is that? Wisdom from on high has His eye on you as you learn to walk in His ways. That is pretty remarkable.

But what to how remarkable that is the simple fact that even when we know the right, we do not choose it and He knows that. Often we may know the right way, but we still choose the wrong. He says I will teach you in the way you should go. He will not force us, but welcomes us to taking it.

RESONATE!
Thank Him that He is watching you, ever instructing and redirecting. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to walk the path of knowledge so you may be positioned to receive the blessings of walking with wisdom. Spirit, teach me how to walk with wisdom.

Jesus, thank You for your patience with me as I muddle along the path you have clearly marked. Help me to walk it in today and every day. I am so thankful Your eye is upon me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Teachable Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Podcast 24.2 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV

And how we long for Emmanuel to come and impart that wisdom to us. Wisdom whose presence allows our lives to be filled with some remarkable qualities. The question becomes will we welcome that Wisdom to find expression in our lives. Ask Him to search your heart.

Who orders all things far and nigh;

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 ESV

The first issue arises: God’s ways are not our ways. If we are going to welcome HIs presence, then we must first acknowledge it will require us to behave and think differently. Are you willing to make those adjustments in your living and thinking?

To us the path of knowledge show,

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 ESV

His paths are not ours, but He welcomes us to leave the ones we are on and join Him. If you truly want to walk the path of knowledge, ask Him to show it to you, realizing it may very well be small, daily adjustments you will need to make. Ask Him to show you His path.

And teach us in its ways to go.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 ESV

He has promised He will instruct and teach us, but notice it is a very personal thing. He is going to counsel us, and have His eye on us. How remarkable is that? Wisdom from on high has His eye on you as you learn to walk in His ways. Thank Him that He is watching you.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post This Is the Way, Walk In It appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
To Us the Path of Knowledge Show – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/man-forest-path-trees-woods-5714986/
And Cause Us in Her Ways to Go –  https://pixabay.com/illustrations/illustration-background-wallpaper-5291780/

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One Gift: Wisdom

Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri is biweekly and a time we set aside to wander in the Presence of Jesus and ponder His truths. When you are ready, prepare your mind, body, and soul to have a transformational encounter with Jesus.

Watch the Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.

Now that we have cleared our minds of the clutter, we can wander on the journey with Jesus.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined a Enduring Peace, Confident Hope This week we will examine One Gift: Wisdom.  When you are ready, you may begin the dialogue with Jesus and state: “Jesus, I invite you to help me to leisurely wander into your Presence. Prepare my heart to receive, and illuminate my spiritual senses to encounter you.”

PROMISE: Proverbs 2:6 Amplified Bible

For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding

What wisdom, knowledge, and understanding do you need from God? Let Him know for He promises to give it to you just for the asking.

O Come Emmanuel

PSALM: O Come, O Come Emmanuel  (The Latin metrical form composed by John Mason Neale 1818-1866) Additional verse H.S. Coffin 1916

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
And order all things, far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And cause us in her ways to go.

This United Methodist hymn (#211) is said to date back to the 9th century and was traditionally sung on Christmas Eve. The advent hymn reminds us of the incarnation of Jesus, the wise counselor who was present then, the wise God with us who is present now, and the wise coming Christ who will be present tomorrow. As the songwriter contemplates what he would like to receive from Emmanuel, he requests wisdom.
Come Lady Wisdom

PARABLE: I was introduced to Lady Wisdom as a young child through a vacation bible school lesson where she was personified and became my friend.  I’ve been teased about having extra brain cells, being too educated, and too smart for my own good. I couldn’t always explain how I knew that I knew. All I know is that I asked for it, and I received wisdom from God. When adversity was like sneakers glued to my feet as I walked through life, I beckoned Lady Wisdom and she came. When darts of trials were piercing me as though I was a dartboard, I asked for wisdom and she came.  And when she came, I responded with certainty and confidence that was labeled haughty and arrogant.

Perhaps you’ve experienced ridicule for your wisdom from those who don’t know that God promises all Believers His Wisdom. It is one of the gifts that He gives freely when we ask Him. This Christmas, like the songwriter, I am asking Emmanuel–God with us–for one gift: His wisdom. Wisdom to make order of the chaos around me. To show me through His lens of knowledge and understanding His purposed path for all of the world’s trauma. To cause me to wisely Go His way. It won’t be wrapped under a tree. I’ll find it tucked throughout the Book of Life. I’ll find it in the quiet moments of morning when only God and I are snuggled in the chair. I’ll hear Emmanuel, God with me, share His truth. Like the refreshing fragrance of pine, I’ll breathe in His loving, gracious, kindness and I’ll exhale His purposed path as He shows me the next part of my journey. 

PONDER and WANDER:  If you choose, take time to ponder the question: In what area of your life are you seeking God’s Gift of Wisdom?
Soul care training exercise:  As life continues to happen and baffle us with unending chaos, I invite you to take some quiet time and ponder and/or journal the below questions.

  • What do I need to know from Emmanuel, God who is with me?
    • Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you in what area of your life you need further knowledge and understanding.
  • Where in my life have I allowed my own limited thinking to interrupt me from doing what God is leading me to?
    • Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness what comes to your mind. Invite God into those thoughts and ask Him to transform your doubts and fears.
  • How am I to move, go, boldly walk forward toward my chosen path?
    • Focus on the words of Jesus our Wonderful Counselor and let Him empower you with the tools to wisely apply His knowledge and understanding to your NEXT steps.
One gift wisdom

PRAYER: Dear Father, You promised that if I lacked the wisdom to guide me through a decision or circumstance, that I could ask and that you would grant it generously without rebuke. Please grant me ONE gift, your Wisdom. Fill me with your KNOWing. Send me in the direction of transformational DOing. In the healing name of Jesus, I pray. Amen 

PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your mind of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to breathe in Emmanuel’s Presence and let the work of your wandering fill you with wisdom.

Then take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.

Until next time, be Resonant.

The post One Gift: Wisdom appeared first on Resonant 7.

BONUS REFLECTION: If you choose click below and listen to the Tribute to Lady Wisdom by Angie Winans. After the monologue consider what would like to say to Lady Wisdom?

Image attributions:   
Come lady wisdom: unidentified photographer on Facebook with text added
Come Emmanuel: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/christmas-decoration-holiday-xmas-3009949/ with added text 
One gift: https://pixabay.com/photos/christmas-present-box-celebration-83119/ with added text

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Are You Willing to Let Wisdom Have His Way?

O Come Thou Wisdom from On High

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text that invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s tune our hearts.

Ancient

What does Wisdom look like? When you think of wisdom, what kind of images come to mind? Stuffy old books and stodgy old men, or peace and rest and light?

Earthly wisdom makes me think of ancient texts and people, but Wisdom from on high evokes the latter images for me. It seems to me Wisdom would know when to walk and when to sit. When to enjoy the sunlight and when to head for cover.

God’s Wisdom towers over us but we seldom stop the frenetic pace of living to observe or identify the cues it may be giving us. When was the last time you were simply still for at least five minutes with no other agenda but to tap into the wisdom of God? He wants to show us His way, but are we truly even looking, let alone inviting Him to come to us and show us?

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV

And how we long for Emmanuel to come and impart that wisdom to us. Wisdom whose presence allows our lives to be filled with some remarkable qualities. The question becomes will we welcome that Wisdom to find expression in our lives. 

God knows all things, but His wisdom goes even further. It includes experience and judgment. Of course God possesses all these and so much more. We need those things in our lives. We need Him. 

RESONATE!
Ask Him to search your heart.  Are you ready to welcome Him to show you His Wisdom? Invite Him to come with all His knowledge, experience and judgment. God, come and bring your knowledge, experience and judgment into my life.

Lofty

And Order All Things Far and Nigh

Not only is His wisdom ancient, it is lofty. It is simply higher than we can grasp without His help.  His perspective is so vast we can truly not even begin to fathom it. And yet, He wants us to welcome Him to order all things in our lives and beyond

There is a remarkable beauty in the ways and thoughts of God. It we would but lift our eyes from our own hurts, habits and hang-ups, we would be able to see it better. Then it would be able to change us.

Putting everything in our lives in God’s control can be a little intimidating, right? Will we even be able to understand what He is telling us. Maybe we will end up confused.

Hardly. God’s ways are higher than ours, but they are often reasonable, if not at least a little faith inducing.

Who orders all things far and nigh;

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 ESV

The first issue arises: God’s ways are not our ways. If we are going to welcome HIs presence, then we must first acknowledge it will require us to behave and think differently.

Being Wisdom, He is, after all, over all. His position is one of reigning authority. He wants to order things in your life so you can find rest and peace in a hurting world. Will you allow Him to order the things in your life, so you may experience the benefits of His wisdom?

RESONATE!
Are you willing to make those adjustments in your living and thinking? He wants to give you reasons to rejoice, but you must be willing to let Him have His way. Trust Him and simply ask, “Father, order things near and far, including the things in my life.” Then prepare to be amazed. 

Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us, and Wisdom from on high, taking up residence with us and ordering all things according to Your will and way. Help me adjust my thinking to let You have Your way in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Lofty Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 24.2 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

God knows all things, but wisdom goes even further. It includes experience and judgment. Of course God possesses all these and so much more. We need those things in our lives. We need Him. Invite Him to come with all His knowledge, experience and judgment.

God, come and bring your knowledge, experience and judgment into my life.

Being Wisdom, He is, after all, over all. His position is one of reigning authority. He wants to order things in your life so you can find rest and peace in a hurting world. Will you allow Him to order the things in your life, so you may experience the benefits of His wisdom?

Father, order things near and far, including the things in my life.

One of the ways He orders the things in your life is by revealing the very path of knowledge. When you know the way to go, that which knowledge dictates, you have a better opportunity to take it. Ask Jesus to show you the path of knowledge.

Jesus, please show me the path of knowledge.

Knowing the path and taking it are two different things. Often we may know the right way, but we still choose the wrong. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to walk the path of knowledge so you may be positioned to receive the blessings of walking with wisdom.

Spirit, teach me how to walk with wisdom.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Are You Willing to Let Wisdom Have His Way? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, Thou Wisdom from On High – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/book-old-clouds-tree-birds-bank-863418/
And Order All Things Far and Nigh – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/moon-heaven-earth-blue-planet-4638721/

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