Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)
Listen to this modern version of this ancient hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.
Heed Not
To take no notice of riches or people’s praise is a difficult assignment. Like so many of our hymn texts, this one is easy to sing, but not so easy to live. The rest of the stanza illuminates the path that makes it possible, but first let’s take a closer look at the things by which we must not allow ourselves to be preoccupied.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16 ESV
There is nothing inherently wrong with riches or praise. The problem arises when we seek these things with greater enthusiasm than the things of God. There are many tempting things in the world, but when God fills our vision these things pale in comparison.
I like to think about it this way. What do you find yourself thinking about when you are thinking about nothing in particular. Do you begin to wonder how to make more money, or the stuff it would buy? Do you try to figure out how to get recognition for the things you do, or the people you do them for? When we allow these things to crowd out our gaze upon God is when the real trouble begins.
What do you love more? The things of this world, or the things of your Father?
Spirit, search me for any worldly affections.
RESONATE!
What do you love more? The things of this world, or the things of your Father? Ask the Spirit to search you for any worldly affections that may be competing with Him. Ask Him to help you overcome these lesser things as He fills your gaze.
Inheritance
Spurning the allure of riches and the draw of applause becomes much simpler when we set our hearts instead on something much more satisfying. Both money and recognition are fleeting, but the not the endowment of God. While there is an unfathomable extent of it waiting for us in eternity, we do not have to wait until this life is over to begin to enjoy it.
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 ESV
He is and has everything we need both now and forever. We may want some other things, but our deepest needs are supplied only when we look to Him for there provision. With this in mind, we commit to turn from the things that would impair our glorious pursuit of Him and run with abandon to the One who is our Inheritance.
It is with that commitment we find is the beginning of the clarity and conviction that allows us to pay no mind to riches or praise, the singular fact that God is our inheritance. That knowledge changes everything. I do not need gold or applause if I have Him.
RESONATE!
Setting our hearts on Him routinely helps to create a rhythm which protects us from the things that would seem to satisfy but never can. Thank Him for revealing to you that He is everything you need. Tell Him, maybe again, you will place your trust in Him alone.
Jesus, thank You for supplying everything I need. Help me to develop a habit of setting my heart on You so I am enabled to resist the temptation of seeking that supply in counterfeits. I will trust You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Satisfied 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 25.4 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.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
To take no notice of riches or people’s praise is a difficult assignment. Like so many of our hymn texts, this one is easy to sing, but not so easy to live. The rest of the stanza illuminates the path that makes it possible. Ask the Spirit to search you for any worldly affections.
Spirit, search me for any worldly affections.
Here is the beginning of the clarity and conviction that allows us to pay no mind to riches or praise, the singular fact that God is our inheritance. That knowledge changes everything. I do not need gold or applause if I have Him. Thank Him for revealing this to you.
Lord, thank You for revealing You are my Inheritance.
When we are convinced He is our Inheritance we find it much easier to put Him and Him alone first in our heart. We love others to be sure, but none so much as Him. Do you know what it looks like to put Him first in your heart? Ask Jesus to show you today.
Jesus, show me how to make You first in my heart.
We set out on this journey believing He is our Treasure, but the further we go the more we realize just how true that is. Wherever you are on that journey, ask your King to take you higher into the knowledge of what Treasure He truly is, now and forevermore.
High King of Heaven, lift me to a greater knowledge of You.
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.
Sing
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 Finding True Satisfaction, Not a Counterfeit appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Riches I Heed Not, Nor Man’s Empty Praise – https://pixabay.com/photos/gold-treasure-rich-golden-money-207585/
Thou Mine Inheritance, Now and Always – https://pixabay.com/photos/people-concert-fans-the-crowd-1728150/
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