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/

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love

Joy to the World 1719
By: Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)

Listen to this modern acapella version of this carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. 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.

As we conclude our journey through this carol in which we call the world to sing with joy, how will you find your place in the song? Let’s think about this.

Singing Trees

There is Scripture that speaks of the trees of the field clapping their hands, Isaiah 55:12. When the wind rushes violently through the branches it can soon like applause. That has never been difficult for me to conceptualize. Clapping trees.

But singing trees!?! That is a whole different matter.

Then there is this interesting thought of trees clapping because they are witnessing something happening, like a spectator at an event. But the trees in the verse are singing, like they are the performers. Really though, even the singing trees are responding, here to the coming of the Lord to judge the earth.

The glories of His righteousness

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. Psalm 96:12b-13 ESV

The trees are going to help the nations prove the glories of His righteousness by singing for joy when He comes. Can you imagine what that is going to sound like? It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about it. I will sing now so I am ready when the trees do.

They will sing because there is a glory to His righteousness. We do not think about this much but we are dealing with One who eternally is without fault or blemish. He only does right. Though we know this is true it is difficult for our minds to comprehend, living in a world where wrong is so common.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about what singing trees will sound like. Will you be ready when the trees start to sing? Make this your simple prayer “Father, show us the glories of Your righteousness.” 

Saving Tree

Now there are singing trees and there is a saving tree. Singing trees are pretty astounding. But the saving tree has no parallel.

God has shown us His love in a myriad of ways, but nowhere else like on that tree at Calvary. The beauty of a sunset, God’s love. The kindness of a friend, God’s love. The mercy of not receiving what we have earned, GOD’S LOVE!

And wonders wonders of His love

Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Psalm 17:7 ESV

We have seen the wonders of His love, even in our fallen world, yet we still long for the people of every tribe and tongue to see them as well. One day the nations will sing with us. Let’s do everything we can to help them understand that now and usher in the joy!

And His rightness required that He make a way to deal with our wrongness. His doing so through the sending of our Savior reveals the wonder of His love. While we were separated from Him He made a way for us to come back to Him through His sacrifice. What joy!

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on the wonders of His love, ways both great and small He has shown you His steadfast love. What has prompted you to seek refuge at His right hand? Simply ask Him “Jesus, show us the wonders of Your love.“

Jesus, thank You for the glories of Your righteousness and the wonder of Your love. I want to sing of them all the days of my life, even eternally. Help me to daily lift my voice in praise. 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 Attribution
The glories of His righteousness – https://pixabay.com/photos/forest-trees-sun-rays-sunlight-fog-1072828/
And wonders wonders of His love – https://www.pxfuel.com/en/desktop-wallpaper-jjpah

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as far as the curse is found

Joy to the World 1719
By: Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)

Listen to this modern acapella version of this carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. 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.

As we continue our journey through this carol in which we call the world to sing with joy, how will you find your place in the song? Let’s think about this.

What’s Growing in Your Garden?

Working a garden is not easy, but it is very rewarding. All the sowing can lead to reaping, as long as the time between the two is active as well. What are you sowing?

When you have sown things that bring blessing there comes an eagerness for the reaping. When you have sown other things there will more likely be dread. All the work to cultivate and tend your garden can seem like futility, and it certainly can be very difficult, but when you care for the process blessings can certainly flow.

He comes to make His blessings flow

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:19-21 ESV

The freedom of the glory of the children of God.How we long for that! We hope for the creation itself to be set free from its bondage to corruption. Jesus made all that possible. He came to start that work and will return to complete it. We long for His blessings to flow!

Thanks be to God that Jesus has a different plan for the garden of our lives. He wants blessings to flow instead of curses. He has already done the significant work required to make that possible, but we have to partner with Him. Will you prepare for your garden work?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about what you are allowing to grow in the garden of your life. You can weed out the bad, and cultivate the good. Make this your simple prayer “Lord, help me prepare for my garden work.” 

What Fruit Is Flourishing in Your Grove?

From the garden to the grove the same principles are in play. Trees are known for the fruit they bear. The same is true of us. What are you bearing?

Are there blessings bursting forth from you? Or are there curses? Our sin has wrought a curse, but we bear in our lives the firstfruits of what is to come. Are the signs of those fruits evident in your life?

Far as far as the curse is found

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:22-23 ESV

The redemption of our bodies. The curse brings death, but the blessing Jesus offers is life. The firstfruits of the Spirit deposit that longing in us for our adoption as sons and daughters, when the curse is removed and all we know is the blessing of being with God eternally, like the garden.

His intent is there will be no thorns in our gardens. He will make it so one day. Until then we can labor with Him to remove thorns and create a scenario in which blessings flow. But please note, this is not easy work and must be engaged in regularly for those thorns are insidious.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on the firstfruits of your life, things that demonstrate the work of the Spirit. You can partner with Jesus to bear the fruit He wants. Simply ask Him “God, help me tend my garden regularly.“

Jesus, thank You for the work you are doing in the garden and grove of my life. I can produce nothing but thorns and curses without Your help. Help me partner with Your work. 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 Attribution
He comes to make His blessings flow – https://pixabay.com/photos/farm-garden-rows-cabbages-1094434/
Far as far as the curse is found – https://pixabay.com/photos/orange-tree-orange-grove-plantation-1117420/

Joy to the earth the Savior reignsLet men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy

Joy to the World 1719
By: Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)

Listen to this modern acapella version of this carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. 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.

As we continue our journey through this carol in which we call the world to sing with joy, how will you find your place in the song? Let’s think about this.

Creations Response

We should be using our songs to declare that joy has come. The opening of this stanza is calling all mankind to lift their voices and  offer songs to God. This second portion is describing the natural response of creation.

And just what parts of creation will be joining in? Every part. Though this list is short, it is fairly comprehensive.

• Fields, places where crops are grown, fertile soil
• Floods, all the surface of the water
• Rocks, all the places nothing can grow
• Hills, all the places that are not flat
• Plains, all the places that are flat

While fields and floods, rocks hills and plains

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
  the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands;
  let the hills sing for joy together. Psalm 98:7-8 ESV

Our songs join those of every part of creation. This is not adding some new melody, as much as finding that which is woven into the very fiber of every created thing. Have you found that inmost melody? Look to God’s creation for your inspiration and ask the Spirit to help you receive it.

What a beautiful picture of creation offering praise to the Savior! The most common of all topographies are mentioned in this nearly comprehensive list. Yet, did you notice they are responding or rather adding their praise to ours?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about creation offering praise. If there songs are repeating ours that implies we are offering some. We get the song started, then creation follows. Make this your simple prayer “Spirit, help creation praise.” 

Something Worth Repeating

Echo. That what this next line means. Earth, and all its topography, is echoing our joy. The repeat the joy we are sounding.

So are you sending any joy into the airwaves? Are you making a sound that could be echoed? Are you giving earth something to repeat?

Repeat repeat the sounding joy

before the Lord, for he comes
  to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
  and the peoples with equity. Psalm 98:9 ESV

What does joy have to do with the judgment of God? We know His judgment will be done with righteousness and equity. Because we personally trust in the righteousness of Christ, we have peace knowing He has saved us from the wrath we deserve. Hallelujah! What a joy!

Our joy is prompted by the peace afforded in the Incarnation. Because the Savior reigns, and He is with us, we have joy. When was the last time you spent some time simply reflecting on the reason for our joy?

We sound out our joy and the rest of creation echoes. If that is indeed the case, we better make certain we are leading the way with our joyful praise. They cannot repeat our joy if we are not declaring it in the first place. Are you?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on the reason for our joy. Jesus arrival in the manger gave us a path to peace with God. Think about that. Then ask Jesus “Lord, help me declare my joy.“

Jesus, thank You for giving me a path to peace. May my joy this season be informed by your coming, and your reigning. Joy to the earth, help my praise sound forth. 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 Attribution
While fields and floods, rocks hills and plains – https://pixabay.com/photos/river-fields-trees-meadows-hills-6066233/
Repeat repeat the sounding joy – https://pixabay.com/photos/colorado-echo-lake-mountain-1213206/