Just as I am Thy Love unknown
Hath broken ev’ry barrier down
Now to be Thine yes Thine alone
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn 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.

As we continue our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s think about this.

Crucified with Christ

What is your response to the crucifixion of Christ? Maybe “Thank You, Lord”. Maybe “Hallelujah!” Maybe stunned silence “the hour you first believed”.

We must carefully consider our response. It must not be haphazard or lacking thoughtfulness. The action that broke every barrier down demands an appropriate response. Another hymn says it like this…

Love so amazing so Divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

It could be argued that offering ourselves entirely is the only appropriate response. Scripture bears out that truth as well. Can you say with Charlotte Eliott…

Now to be Thine yes Thine alone

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20a ESV

Having broken down all those barriers and ushering in His peace He enables us to be His. That requires us to die daily to ourselves so that we may live for Him. That is our response to His love: demonstrating we are His by allowing Him to live in us. What will that look like today?

My response to all that love? Giving myself to Him entirely, and Him alone. Easier said than done though. There are so many other things that come along that I want to give myself to, but I must remember that I have given myself to Him and must continue to do so.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and contemplate your response to the crucifixion. How did you respond when you first opened your eyes of faith? How are you responding to it this week? Pray this simple prayer, “God, help me give myself to you and you alone every day.” 

Living By Faith

We should live our lives by faith, continually coming to the Lamb of God. There is a sense in which He is ever before us, drawing us heavenward and upward in a great procession of saving faith. Every moment of every day in every single pursuit this overarching purpose must be seen, coming to the Lamb of God who gave Himself for me.

Singing this hymn in or out of church? Yes. Driving down the road? Yes. Speaking to my family, a neighbor or co-worker? Yes. Spending my money? Yes. Fill in the blank ________? Still yes.

Learning to come through every activity in life is part of what living by faith means.

O Lamb of God I come I come

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20b ESV

As we come to him, we do so acknowledging our desire to live by faith in His Son. It is imperative that we acknowledge that because our flesh will war against it at every opportunity. We come to give our lives to Him because He came to give His life to us.

When I come to Him I am reminded that I need to continue to give myself to him as one part of my continual response to the work of His love breaking down every barrier, most notably the one between me and him. Come to Jesus again today and respond to His love.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider how you will come to the Lamb of God today. He has already broken every barrier down so you have no excuse. Pray simply, “Jesus, I come in response to Your great love made known to me.“

Lord, thank You breaking every barrier down and inviting me to offer myself to You as You offered Yourself for me: completely and without reserve. Show me how to do that today. In Jesus name. Amen.

Dedicated Thinking!

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Image Attribution
Now to be Thine yes Thine alone – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-1448946/ (cropped)
O Lamb of God I come I come – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-1448946/

Just as I am Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve
Because Thy Promise I believe
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn 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.

As we continue our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s think about this.

Promise

What exactly is God’s Promise? In one sense it is His Word. It contains His promises and is in fact His Promise.

But Christ is also the Incarnate Word, so in anther sense it is Jesus. Jesus is both the Promise and the Promise fulfilled. He accomplishes everything we need to find peace with God, and is Himself that Peace.

Do you believe it? Do you accept as true all that God has assured us will happen? If someone took at assessment of the way you live would there be enough evidence to convict you of believing? Is it obvious that you believe God’s Promise?

Because Thy Promise I believe

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 ESV

Here are the conditions of our surrender. We must receive Him and believe in His name with all the promises it holds which includes becoming children of God. We were separated from Him by our sin with no way back until Jesus made the way for us to come. Thank You Lord.

Though it is no small thing and many fail to do it, the only thing we must do is believe. Believe His promise. Believe that He has already accomplished everything needed to grant us access. Believe we can come. And demonstrate that by simply coming. Will you come today?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and assess the evidence of your belief. If you truly believe you will come to Jesus, and then keep coming to Him day after day after day…Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, help me to believe and come.” 

I Come

But will you really?

His Promises are so accessible to us. Probably more so than at any other time in human history. You can carry multiple Bibles in your pocket, but when was the last time you came to it? When was the last time you read it?

Not as a part of a class. Not during the sermon. Not while trying to find some verse you could not quite remember.

Just read it.

Reading His Word is a way of coming to God. That approach informs your coming. It also helps you see Him clearly.

O Lamb of God I come I come

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!…” John 1:29 ESV

John the Baptist saw his cousin drawing near and exclaimed the wonder of God’s grace. Jesus became the Lamb of God to pay for our sins, and the sins of the whole world. Not everyone sees this and not even all of those who see come. Come to Him again today.

The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John saw Him and exclaimed this truth. Have you ever done that? It is on the basis of this belief we can come at all so we should be quick to declare it. Believe it in your heart and confess it with your lips today.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider how you have declared the Lamb of God. John said “Behold” and we can issue that same invitation today. Pray simply, “Lord, help me to declare Your saving work.“

Lord, thank You revealing Yourself to me through the Person of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe He is Who He said He is, and will do what He said He will do. Thank You for taking away my sins. In Jesus name. Amen.

Committed Thinking!

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Image Attribution
Because Thy Promise I believe – https://pixabay.com/photos/bible-book-pages-open-reading-1868070/
O Lamb of God I come I come – https://pixabay.com/photos/leaf-fall-autumn-walking-shoe-2597122/

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot
To Thee Whose Blood can cleanse each spot
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn 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.

As we begin our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s think about this.

Cleansed by Blood

This seems like such strange idea. How can something get clean by washing it in blood? How can a blot or spot of anything be washed away by blood?

This idea did not seem strange at all to the worshippers who would come to the Temple. Lambs were sacrificed routinely to make atonement for sins. Their blood flowed freely as a part of that sacrificial system which allowed worshippers to be one with God again after some sin kept them separate. Without the shedding of blood there was no remission of sin, a washing of regeneration.

Of course it is not the kind of washing one does in a sink or tub. It is an internal, eternal cleansing. It is making something clean at its very nature.

Do you believe the blood of Jesus does this? I don’t just mean for everyone else, I mean for you. Do you believe His blood washes you clean?

To Thee Whose Blood can cleanse each spot

but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. I Peter 1:19 ESV

Here is the source of our cleansing, the very blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. So precious is that blood for it is the only thing that can rid our souls of all their dark blots, past, present and future. Give praise to Jesus for shedding His blood so you can come.

Why can we not simply trust Him and the efficacy of His blood? Pride or at least a lack of humility? Does it seem too simple just to trust Him? Do we think we will find a better way? Yes, yes and yes. Yet when we surrender to His work alone we find cleansing and peace.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about the blood of Jesus. It was the only thing that could make you right with Father God. Pray this simple prayer, “Jesus, help me trust in Your blood.” 

Will You Come?

He has done all the work. He has been made known to us. He enables us to find faith and hope in God. And yet many never come…

O Lamb of God I come I come

He was…made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God…so that your faith and hope are in God. I Peter 1:20-21 ESV

He was made known to us so that we could become believers in God. Now our faith and hope are in Him and nothing else. Thank Him for revealing Himself to you and then making a way through His shed blood for you to come.

Will you just come today? What dark blot is holding you back? Bring it to the Savior and let Him deal with it, since you will not be able to do it on your own anyway. Stop waiting and simply come, just as you are, before the spotless Lamb of God who takes away blots.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider the incredible gift of this Lamb. You can do nothing earn it. You only need to believe. Pray simply, “Father, help me come just as I am.“

Lord, thank You for making a way for me to come to You. Shedding Your blood was a price I can not even really comprehend but I believe it. Help me come today and everyday. In Jesus name. Amen.

Cleansed Thinking!

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Image Attribution
To Thee Whose Blood can cleanse each spot – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/background-blood-blood-stain-1759447/
O Lamb of God I come I come – https://pixabay.com/photos/lamb-farm-sheep-livestock-2216160/

Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy Blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn 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.

As we begin our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s think about this.

Invited

I should never have gotten the invitation. Yet I see His outstretched hand and know that He is inviting me to come. It could not be more clear, or more surprising.

The first part of the stanza made it very clear there is no reason why I should be welcomed. No merit of my own triggers the invitation. On the contrary, my actions effectively made certain I got no invite at all.

The blood Jesus shed for me changed that.

Not only is there now a way for me to come, but He bids me to do so. He invites me. He urges me to come.

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 ESV

Not only does He make the way for us to come, but then He calls us to do so. Weary and worn from carrying the weight of our sin He offers us rest if we will come to Him. Why so many ignore this incredible, unmerited offer of grace is mind-boggling to me.

Again, as if cleansing me from all my sin was not enough, He then invited me to draw near. I am able to come because He has cleansed me, otherwise I would not dare to even consider approaching a holy God. Because He calls me I will come as the Spirit enables me.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about the incredible invitation of Christ to you. Can you accept the fact that His hand is opened and welcomed you? Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, help me to approach boldly.” Then trust Him to do just that.

RSVP

To be invited is wonderful, but we must respond.

It is not enough to be welcomed. We must accept that welcome and enter in. So there was no misunderstanding whether he would receive the invitation and accept the last line repeats the response, “I come, I come.”

Have you made the decision? Have you replied and dropped the RSVP in the mail? Have you clearly indicated what you are planning to do with the invitation you have received?

O Lamb of God I come I come

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:37 ESV

I would be one ignoring the call to come if the Father had not allowed me to hear it. I would never have tasted forgiveness. I would still be separated from God without one plea but the Lamb of God has called me to Himself. Thank you Jesus.

The Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world, and He takes away my sin. That new standing before God allows me to make my approach, to come before God on the basis of what the Lamb of God has done for me. I come just as I am, and He changes me entirely. Hallelujah!

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider if you have made your intentions clear regarding the invitation you have received. Maybe you have been meaning to get around to replying and simply have not made a point of it yet. Wait no longer. Do it today! Pray simply, “Lord, I come.“

Lord, thank You for inviting me to come to You. I receive that invitation and reply, “Lord, I come.” Help me to live that approach every day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Responsive 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.

Image Attribution
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee – https://www.abranchinthevine.com/blog/the-invitation-of-faith-come
O Lamb of God I come I come – https://www.charismamag.com/life/women/22989-when-you-ve-failed

O measureless might ineffable love
While angels delight to worship Thee above
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise

O Worship the King 1561
By: William Kethe (?-1594)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn 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.

As we continue our journey through this ancient text and hymn, think about how God’s care flows through the majestic and the minute. From grand vistas to the closest droplet of water it is everywhere. Do you have eyes to see it? Let’s think about this.

Lays? Like the potato chips

There are quite a few expressions and words that are a bit archaic in our hymns, but this one may be at the top of the list. It took a bit a research and digging to find a satisfactory explanation of the word “lays”. After combing through many different definitions, and there are quite a few uses of this word, one finally jumped out.

lay (leɪ) 

n

1. (Poetry) a ballad or short narrative poem, esp one intended to be sung
2. (Music, other) a song or melody

[C13: from Old French lai, perhaps of Germanic origin]

A lay in this usage is a song or melody. That makes sense but it is a use I had never heard. Maybe that is one of the reasons this final stanzas is not often used, even though the imagery is inspiring.

The humbler creation though feeble their lays

…what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor. Pslam 8:4-5 ESV

Our songs are simply feeble compared to those offered by the angels on high. We are made a little lower than them, so our praise is not as magnificent as theirs. Still He has crowned us with glory and honor, not the least of which is the joy of offering Him praise.

The humbler creation though feeble their lays

…what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor. Pslam 8:4-5 ESV

Our songs are simply feeble compared to those offered by the angels on high. We are made a little lower than them, so our praise is not as magnificent as theirs. Still He has crowned us with glory and honor, not the least of which is the joy of offering Him praise. Even though our praise my be humbler than theirs that does not stop us from offering the best we have now, even as we long for more.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about your song of praise. It is humble and imperfect, but God loves to hear it. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, help me offer my best praise today.” Then trust Him to do just that.

All Creation

When Jesus returns there will be no one left out of offering Him praise. The Father has given Him the name that is above every other name. Accordingly, He will receive praise that is due no one else and everyone will offer it.

It begs the question, “Are you offering your songs of praise in this season in a way that is welcoming others to join you?” Our songs may be humble expressions of His matchless worth but we should still be offering them so others have a chance to hear them and sing along. And we should be inviting others to come along with us when we go to sing our humble songs. Maybe they will be confronted and comforted by the awesome reality that is our God.

You do sing His praise, right? When was the last time you invited someone to come with you to wherever you sing His praise? Decide today to invite someone to join you soon. That way when Jesus comes back they just might be ready to join the praise as opposed to those who will not be.

With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise

…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 ESV

How we long for that day when all creation will join us in the worship of the King! They may not choose to do so yet, but that day is coming when they will no longer have a choice. Every tongue will confess His worth. Hallelujah!

When we sing His praise it makes us long for more. And more is coming. More and better praise by more of creation, frankly all of creation. We long for that day when every knee will bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord. May we praise Him now in such a way that many join us even before that Great Day arrives.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what that day will be like when we offer our praise to with all creation. May there be many who gladly sing with us that day because they chose to offer their humble praise when they heard us offer ours. Pray simply, “Jesus, help me praise You in a way that welcomes others to join.“

Lord, thank You for welcoming me to join the praise. Help me to turn and welcome other to do the same, even as I long for Your return. In Jesus name. Amen.

Expectant 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.

Image Attribution
The humbler creation though feeble their lays – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/his-decoration-music-ears-show-3243259/
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise – http://www.praise-and-worship.com/jesus-christ-second-coming.html