Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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 this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

All You Need, No Matter the Day

God’s faithfulness is the same every day.

What are you facing today for which you need God’s strength? He is faithful. What challenge awaits you tomorrow which will require the hope that is only found in God? He is faithful. Whether today or tomorrow you can count on God to provide everything you need.

Today never really becomes tomorrow, and yet God has made a promise and provision for each in its own way.  Tomorrow is always a day away, as Annie sang in the musical bearing her name. The difference is illustrated in the two phrases, “I am” and “I will”.

“I am” is present tense. Today.

“I will” is future tense. Tomorrow.

Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

He is with us. He is our God. Strength for today.

He will strengthen. He will help. He will uphold. Bright hope for tomorrow.

Just the strength for the day we are facing is a gift we sometimes fail to open, but He also gives us hope beyond it. How gracious that two-fold gift is, and how unfortunate we fail to receive it on some days when we need it most. Ask the Spirit for the humility to accept them.

Spirit, help me to humbly receive Your strength and hope.

 

 

 

RESONATE!
All you need for whatever you are facing today, and hope that the same will be true tomorrow when it comes can be yours in Christ. What has you troubled? Look to God for the strength and hope you need to overcome it.

All You Need, Along with Everyone Else

God’s faithfulness is the same for every person. Not only every day, but also every one.

Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

Love Him and keep His commandments. Easier said than done. But He is faithful and if we will surrender we will know the blessing of standing side by side with countless others who have made that same choice and trusted God to help them fulfill it as well.

This is such a great line. All the blessings of this final stanza are fully mine, even though there are “ten thousand” others around me with the same access to each of them. How faithful is our God and how boundless His kindness to us. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness once more.

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about that incredible truth. You have a unique access to the blessings of God, but so do countless others who will trust Him. How can you love Him better today? Ask Him and trust that He will help you.

Father, thank You for the blessings that are mine, and everyone else’s who will love You and keep Your commandments. Help me do that. Amen.

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.

Image Attribution
Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/light-tunnel-silhouette-woman-3920898/
Blessings All Mine with Ten Thousand Beside – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/people-crowd-group-abstract-5710630/

I have no merit
to woo or delight Thee,
I have no wisdom
or pow’rs to employ;
Yet in thy mercy,
how pleasing thou find’st me,
This is Thy pleasure:
 that Thou art my joy. 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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 this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

God Took Initiative

The first half of this stanza appears to be a real downer, until the second half redeems it and with it any hope we have at experiencing the faithfulness of God. It starts by outlining our utter depravity before restoring the possibility of something else. The first part of the thought from Jeremiah 9:23-24 could be viewed in a similar negative light if it were not for the latter half for it tells us what not to do, before instructing us what to do instead.

Yet in thy mercy,
how pleasing thou find’st me,

…but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24 ESV 

He practices that steadfast love, justice and righteousness on us, and even delights to do so. This must be our boast. Not anything that we are or have done, but in the unmerited favor and delight of our Lord.

Consider the image above. It makes me think of someone who has opened themselves to the bright glory of the knowledge of God and His steadfast love, justices and righteousness. Can you see yourself taking such a posture? Are you open to God’s mercy, allowing it to flow in Your life?

There is nothing in us that merits that mercy, but even still, the Lord makes a way for me to be found pleasing to Him. None of that lies with me.  It is His mercy, not getting what we deserve. It is all His work, so none can boast, other than boasting in Him. 

Spirit, help me boast in God today, and forever. Make that boast right now, then all day and forever. Make your boast in Him today, then repeat that every day, for eternity. 

RESONATE!
When was the last time you boasted in God? Told someone else of the mercy you have received? It does not have to be a long, drown-out story, but can be as simply as just expressing something He recently did for you. Keep it simple, but commit right now to look for an opportunity to boast in Him today. Then ask the Spirit to help you do it today, and repeat that every day, until it becomes a way of life. Hardly anything will please Him more than for you to make much of Him.

I Humbly Responded

But as if His unmerited mercy in our lives was not enough, these last two lines take things to an entirely different level. What is God’s pleasure? What brings Him the greatest delight? Our finding our joy in Him!

This is Thy pleasure:
that Thou art my joy.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV

What is God’s pleasure? That I find my joy in Him. How amazing is that? Our greatest joy, fullness of joy, is found only in His presence, at His right hand forever, and His pleasure is our discovering and living in that. Hallelujah!

Is your life the equivalent of a hallelujah to God? Is it obvious to others you find your greatest delight in God? Do you seek out ways to bring Him praise?

To find eternal joy in God is the greatest blessing this life affords. What is more, it is difficult for us to fathom that there is nothing that gives God greater pleasure than for us to find that joy. Marvel at that incredible mystery again today and rest in it, in Him.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about that incredible truth. God takes great delight in you finding delight in Him. It creates a positive feedback loop that can change your perspective and ultimately your entire life. Even if it has to start small, get your hallelujah started today.

Father, thank You for finding delight in my delight in You. Help me to boast in you today and everyday, until it becomes a way of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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.

Image Attributions
Yet in thy mercy, how pleasing thou find’st me –https://pixabay.com/photos/rays-wonder-sun-light-wonderful-2464986/
This is Thy pleasure: that Thou art my joy – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-girl-freedom-happy-sun-591576/

I could not love Thee,
so blind and unfeeling;
Covenant promises
fell not to me.
Then without warning,
desire, or deserving,
I found my Treasure,
my pleasure, in Thee.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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 this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

God Took Initiative

The last half of this stanza reminds me of the words of a song I learned several years ago.

You did not wait for me to draw near to You
but You clothed yourself with frail humanity
You did not wait for me to cry out to You
but You let me hear Your voice calling me “Forever Grateful” by Mark Altrogge

It expresses in a very descriptive way the incredible reality that God took the initiative to deal with our separation from Him. Before we could even become aware of our need for a Savior, and certainly long before we even cared, Jesus made the way for us to have a restored relationship to the Father. We did not deserve it, or even desire it, yet without warning God stepped into time and space and changed everything.

Then without warning,
desire, or deserving,

For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28 ESV

He shed His blood on the cross and established a new covenant for all those who place their trust in Him.  They placed the crown of thorns on His head and nailed Him to the tree, but only so that He could accomplish redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Every single one of us was in the same hopeless position until His cross.

RESONATE!
Ponder that for a few moments. Before you desired redemption, before you could have attempted to earn it, even before you realized you eve n needed it, He provided. He took the initiative in redemption. Think about that, and then take a few moments to express Your gratitude to Jesus for His initiative. 

I Humbly Responded

After purchasing our redemption on the cross, Jesus then revealed it to us, and gave us the faith to respond. How kind! The chorus of “Forever Grateful” delineates the only appropriate response to what Jesus did for us.

And I’m forever grateful, Lord, to You.
And I’m forever grateful for the cross.
And I’m forever grateful to You
That You came to seek and save the lost.

Eternal gratitude. That’s it. Finding in Christ an unspeakable Treasure, and joys forevermore.

I found my Treasure,
my pleasure, in Thee.

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1:4 ESV

Not only can we now draw near but we are changed at our very core to be characterized by the nature of God. That allows us to escape the corruption that plagues the world due to sinful desire. What an incredible promise! Oh for the grace to live it out today and every day for the rest of eternity!

He has become our Treasure and our pleasure. How? Simply by inviting us into His life through His death and resurrection. Are you pursuing a soul-satisfying relationship with Jesus or are other things distracting You?

RESONATE!
Is it easy to become distracted by things that are lessor treasures than knowing Jesus and living for Him. Ask Him today to help you see Him for the Treasure He is. That is the beginning. Then follow it up by asking Him to help you live it out today. 

Father, thank You for expressing Your faithfulness by initiating redemption. How kind of You to do that. Give me the faith every day to respond in a way that brings glory to Your name and reveals Your faithfulness through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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.

Image Attributions
Then Without Warning, Desire or Deserving – https://pixabay.com/photos/thorn-crown-nails-jesus-christ-4265860/
I Found My Treasure, My Pleasure in Thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-gospel-bible-3279880/

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest
Sun moon and stars
In their courses above
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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 begin our journey through this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

Many and Various

So what part will you play in the great drama of worship that is unfolding across all creation?

In the opening portion of this stanza the writer lists cyclical seasons and celestial spheres as some of the things that bear witness to God’s faithfulness. Then he continues by expanding on that list with the many and various different witnesses that nature as a whole offers in praise of God. What a beautiful explanation of the activity of creation as a response to and declaration of the faithfulness of God.

Join with all nature
In manifold witness

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24 ESV

Not only do seasons and stars declare His glory, but also all nature. Every created thing proclaims the handiwork of God, in many and various ways. You are a part of that creation, so these lines also become an invitation and even an exhortation for you to find your place in the praise.

Maybe you are not a singer or an instrumentalist. Maybe you can not preach a sermon. Maybe you falter when you try to read or pray publicly. No matter. Those are just some of the expressions of worship of the church gathered. There are many more that allow the church dispersed to declare God’s faithfulness.

What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? How might you be able to use that skill, gift, or talent in a way that blesses others and points them to God?

The seasons cycle along and reveal God’s glory. The stars shine and planets spin to the same end. Birds sings, and oceans roar. Tress grow and plants produce. You are not they, so their role is not yours. What part were you made to play? What were you made to do?

RESONATE!
Your life is a part of the witness of God’s creation. You have your own role to play in declaring God’s faithfulness on whatever stage He has given you. He has equipped you with everything you need to do, though you may need to develop it to use it well. Determine right now how you will exercise that opportunity to enter into the praise today. You are a unique expression of that witness. How will you exercise that privilege today? Ask Jesus to help you.Jesus, please show me how to join all nature and use my life as a witness.

For God’s Glory and Others Good

All these different, beautiful expressions of praise to God for His faithfulness come together in a grand crescendo for those who have ears to hear. Yet to some the silence is deafening. Many might walk through the forest and not hear what the trees and the leaves are bearing witness to: God’s faithfulness and mercy. How many fail to see the love in the center of it all?

This should challenge us to find the words and ways to reflect the reality of God to everyone around us. Not all will stop to consider our claims, but some will. And when they do, they will have the opportunity to discover the wonderful invitation to join the worship and find their place in the praise.

To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love 

To him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; Psalm 136:5 ESV

His love is steadfast. His mercy is unmerited. His faithfulness is great. This final phrase is a short litany of why we should give thanks to the Lord for His goodness. All around there are constant expressions of these truths but we often fail to recognize them, which leaves us incapable of declaring them.

RESONATE!
As you consider how you will join the worship today and invite others to do the same, take a moment to consider a few of the many reasons why you should. That consideration should provide you with ample inspiration. Ask the Father to help you see them all around you today, then find your place in the praise.

Father, thank You for using all of creation, including me, to put your faithfulness, mercy and love on display for all to see. Help me find my part in the great drama of worship today and may someone find some encouragement in how I live it out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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.

Image Attributions
Join with All Nature in Manifold Witness – https://pixabay.com/photos/autumn-landscape-nature-golden-219972/
To Thy Great Faithfulness, Mercy and Love – https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-sweetheart-leaf-autumn-maple-1776746/

Great is Thy faithfulness
O God my Father
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee
Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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 begin our journey through this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

Tender Compassion

1. No shadow of turning
2. Thou changes not
3. As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Three different ways to say the same thing. The writer could just have easily said something far less poetic.

1. You don’t change
2. You don’t change
3. You don’t change

But the word choices of the hymn are far more interesting while driving that repeated point home. Still, nestled amongst those three different declarations of His unchanging nature is this little nugget: Thy compassions they fail not. And how thankful we are, like all the people of God, for that truth.

Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. Malachi 3:6 ESV

It is one thing for us to declare God does not change.  It is quite another when He declares that about Himself. In this verse He plainly states He does not change, and that His unchanging nature is what keeps us from being consumed.

Like Jacob, and the children who bear His name, we too often forsake God’s ways and choose our own. Yet He is compassionate and does not consume us in our rebellion. We are often self-reliant and treat Him in ways that demand His compassion. Fortunately for us it never fails.

Like the strong hand in the image above God is always ready to take our hand when we offer it to Him in need of compassion. We simply fail to invoke His compassion over some situations. By doing so we rob God and ourselves of the opportunity to feel His compassion. Take some time to rest in His compassion right now.

RESONATE!
Think about your words, thoughts and actions and search them for a time you know you rebelled against God’s will and ways. Place that before God and consider His compassion. Have you received it for that situation? If so, thank Him. If not, do so now. Simply ask for Him to be compassionate with you as you confess it and request His compassion. Then just rest in it for a few moments.

Eternally Constant

God is in those moments of compassion, because He is eternally constant. He was, and is, and is to come. The magnitude of His presence is frankly beyond of ability to grasp.

As you stand at the edge of eternity and look into what may seem like at first glance the swirling chaos of forever, you may by His grace come to realize there is a constant. That constant in the bright presence of our God. Amidst the darkness without and within, He is. And He always will be. Compassionate.

As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Nothing we do changes God. Or simply, nothing changes God. He is ever the same. He was, and is, and is to come, in every way, in every moment, everywhere. So even when we are not faithful, that’s right, He still is.

He has been faithful and He will continue to be faithful. What He has been, He will be forever. Everything in life changes, except God. He is the One constant on which we can depend. His faithfulness does not depend on us.

RESONATE!
Take a moment and in one spot try to imagine all the moments in forever past, present and future that have and will occur just in that one spot. It is more than our feeble minds can conceive. Now try to wrap your mind around every moment, every where. Now imagine being in control of all of it, and always showing compassion. WOW!

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.

Image Attributions
Thy Compassions They Fail Not – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-compassion-help-old-care-699486/
Thou Forever Wilt Be – https://pixabay.com/photos/search/infinity/