I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me
A sinner condemned unclean
My Savior’s Love 1905
By: Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)
Listen to this modern acapella version of this 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!!
Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we begin our journey through this wonder-filled hymn take an assessment of the level of wonder and amazement character your relationship with Jesus. We all have room to grow in response to His love for us. Let’s tune our hearts.
Aware of His Nearness
Every follower of Jesus longs for the day when we will finally see him face-to-face. Even still, there are moments when Jesus reveals something of Himself to us. He reminds us we are accepted. He overwhelms us with peace in the midst of a storm. He quiets our souls. We become keenly aware of His presence, though we may not even know how, and we are generally surprised, amazed that Jesus would overwhelm us with Himself.
In those moments, we also experience a awakening to something God wants to do in our lives. It reminds us of the new thing He did in redeeming us, even as He welcomes us into the next, greater expression of our redemption. When that happens we can sing with the hymn-writer…
I stand amazed in the presence
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:5-6 ESV
Paul was certainly surprised to find Himself in the presence of Jesus. So surprised he had to ask who Jesus was, even though He acknowledged Him as Lord. Paul was on his way to persecute the church when Jesus revealed Himself and redirected Paul’s life. Jesus has been redirecting lives for millennia and He wants to do it today. How might Jesus be revealing Himself and redirecting your life today?
When was the last time you were aware of the presence of Jesus? Where were you? Maybe you were reading Scripture. Maybe singing a song. Maybe He reminded you of His great love in some other way. Whatever is was, it probably took your breath away. Thank Him for that. And for the breath He gave for the next part of the journey.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on your latest encounter with Jesus. Those moments change us as Jesus invites us into more. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, thank You for revealing Your presence.”
Associated with His Lowness
Ever feel unimportant? Insignificant in the eyes of others? Living an existence that seems inconsequential?
We all struggle with these thoughts on some level at some point. Surprisingly, Jesus can empathize with those feelings, not because it was true, but surely as a result of the way people regarded him because of where He grew up. He was from Nazareth, a little regarded place in the eyes of most of His contemporaries.
God had a purpose in that part of the story. He has a purpose for your life as well. He wants you to know He will come to you in your lowest moments.
Of Jesus the Nazarene
And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:23 ESV
From Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus, to the angel redirecting Joseph out of Egypt to Nazareth in Galilee, God had a plan. God has a plan for your life as well. It may not involve heavenly visions or angel visitations but it still has divine purpose. How will you respond?
Jesus being called a Nazarene indicates He was fulfilling prophecies, not only because He came from a place of little repute but also because He was the sprout of Jesse from Isaiah 11:1. This reminds us of His roots and His purpose. He came to deliver us. Amazed yet?
RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider the parts of your life others may regard with disdain. Jesus knows those tings about you and still He loves you. Though you may be inclined to flee from the glory of His presence, instead commit to standing in it by praying a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, help me stand amazed.“
Jesus, thank You humbling Yourself. That willingness creates the opportunity for me to humble myself in Your presence. Though I my kneel before You as well, help me to stand amazed in Your presence. In Jesus’ name.
Vindicated 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 48.1 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.
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me
A sinner condemned unclean
When was the last time you were aware of the presence of Jesus? Where were you? Maybe you were reading Scripture. Maybe singing a song. Maybe He reminded you of HIs great love in some other way. Whatever is was it took your breath away. Thank Him for that.
Jesus, thank You for revealing Your presence.
Jesus being called a Nazarene indicates He was fulfilling prophecies, not only because He came from a place of little repute but also because He was the sprout of Jesse from Isaiah 11:1. This reminds us of His roots and His purpose. He came to deliver us. Amazed yet?
Jesus, help me stand amazed.
He loves you. When was the last time you meditated on that simple truth? Why not do it right now? Think of who He is. Think of who you are. Think of His great love for you. Think about it. Just quiet yourself and think about that life-altering truth. Jesus love you.
Jesus, fill me with wonder at Your love.
That is you. You have sinned. That sin has left you condemned in the eyes of a holy God. That sin has left you unclean, hopeless of washing yourself so you can appear before Him. So He made a way for you to be acquitted and purified through the sacrifice of His Son. Amazing!
Father, thank You for offering Jesus in my place.
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 the refrain..
How marvelous how wonderful
And my song shall ever be
How marvelous how wonderful
Is my Saviour’s love for me
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 Can You Cultivate Amazement? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
I stand amazed in the presence – https://pixabay.com/photos/worship-god-jesus-faith-cross-2721716/
Of Jesus the Nazarene – https://havenlight.com/products/merciful-savior-by-jared-barnes
Leave a Reply