Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

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 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, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Light

What darkness is threatening you today?

Darkness can make us feel isolated and afraid. We can not see which way to go or the dangers around us. It can be paralyzing and terrifying. But…

…if you can identify even the smallest glimmer of light everything changes. You begin to move toward the light, slowly at first and then with increased speed as things become brighter and clearer until finally you are running to the light.

You find rest and comfort. Your fears are dispelled. You can move around in freedom.

God’s presence is such a light, shelter and tower.

Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:

…The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 ESV

The mingling of peace and protection in God’s living presence is so beautifully portrayed in this stanza, and particularly this line. He cares for our souls. He also cares for our bodies. When you feel threatened you should run to Him.

His presence also provides Shelter for our souls and a Tower of protection for our lives. And we need those things because there are forces which come against us, but…

…God is for us and with us as we face them.

The darkness has little sway over us when we run to the light of our Lord. Run to Him today. The One who wants to be your Shelter and Tower.

RESONATE!
Ask Him to be your Shelter and Tower. Pray “God, be my Shelter and Tower.” Thank Him in advance for giving your soul shelter and for being your stronghold when your body is threatened. 

Strength

So did you do it? Did you ask God to be your Shelter and Tower? Asking for help can make us feel small, and so can looking up. But it does not have to, or at least that does not have to be your last feeling.

When we look heavenward, eyes of faith help us to see that there is more to this life than what we can see with our eyes. In Psalm 8, the writer asks the question when gazing up, “What is man that you are mindful of Him?” before He answers His own question. God has made us a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honor.

So, don’t hesitate looking up. And when you are left gazing in awe at what you see, speak to the One who made it all. Ask Him to lift you into His presence, to a plane of greater awareness, and power.

Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26 ESV

God is everything we need for this life and the next. Nothing on earth can satisfy like Him, and even our bodies fail us, but He is the Power.

His presence is the real Power behind everything we do. Even when your power fails you, His will not. His is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and ultimately will raise us heavenward to His glorious presence.

RESONATE!
Declare your trust in Jesus to raise you heavenward. Spirit, thank You for being the real Power in my life. Thank the Holy Spirit for being that Power from on high, for today and the day when you rise.

Lord, thank You for revealing to me your desire to be my Shelter and Tower. You have raised my hope to a plane I did not know before I knew you, and yet I know there is so much more I have yet to grasp. Raise my awareness of Your presence, until your raise me into it. 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
Thou My Soul’s Shelter, Thou My High Tower – https://pixabay.com/photos/lighthouse-sea-sunset-tower-sun-2372004/
Raise Thou Me Heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r – https://pixabay.com/photos/milky-way-universe-person-stars-1023340/

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

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 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, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Presence

His Wisdom comes from His words. His presence creates the atmosphere where I can hear them and live them. These are gifts from our Father. Showing our gratitude for them through our attitude demonstrates we are actually His children.

This entire stanza is really about presence, not His presents to us. His presence is what makes the difference in every circumstance. Our awareness of it changes our perspective and our response.

When we realize how wonderful a Father God is, it makes sense to want to be His child. Jesus said the right to be God’s child rests in whether we believe in Him, God’s Son. While it takes faith to do that, it seems silly not to when you consider the benefits of the decision.

But here’s the rub. What difference does His presence really make? His presence in us shows the world that He actually came. This is how we show the world we are His “true” children. Jesus prayed for that difference to be seen in us.

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;

That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:21 ESV

Our living out our connection with God is one of the ways the world believes in Jesus. Our unity with other believers becomes a picture of the connection of Jesus and His Father. Learning to live in unity with other believers is not easy, but is essential for us to have unity with God.

Think of it another way. Like Father, like son. We want to be like God. This happens as we imitate and emulate His ways. In order to do that we must know Him and His ways. One of those ways is unity. Ask the Spirit to reveal the ways of God, and empower you to walk in them, thus demonstrating you are God’s child.

Spirit, help me to imitate God’s ways.

RESONATE!
Ask yourself this question, or better yet ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the answer to you. How well is your unity with other believers showing that God is your Father? Maybe you have some work to do, or maybe the Spirit does. Open yourself to His work of making you a child of God by learning to walk in unity.

One

Surrender. That is what comes to mind when I think of God dwelling in me and being one with Him. This image is a powerful illustration of that.

When we decide we are going to hold on to God with everything we are we realize there is really no need to hold onto anything else. That little hand could not hold anything else if it wanted to, but it does not need to because the big hand can. The same is true with our relationship with God.

It is not just about unity, but love.

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:23 ESV

When our lives welcome the presence of God, we become one with Him and each other, just like Jesus and the Father are one. God dwelling in us is both a miracle and a promise. It is also proof that God sent Jesus because He loves us.

God makes His dwelling in us in ever-increasing measure as we open our lives to His influence. Have you invited the Lord to come and have His way in you recently? When you do He does, and He aligns your life to His purposes. Commit to welcoming Him regularly.

RESONATE!
Welcome Him to dwell in you again today. His presence with you will convince you of His love. Convinced of His love you can live out your faith in a way that will convince the world of the same, starting with other believers.

Father, thank You for showing Your love to me in Jesus Christ. Help me to take your hand and trust You to lead me to a place of unity with You and others, so the world may know Your love. 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
Thou My Great Father, I Thy True Son – https://pixabay.com/photos/silhouette-father-and-son-sundown-1082129/
Thou in Me Dwelling, and I With Thee One – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-child-s-hand-hold-tight-1797401/

No condemnation now I dread
Jesus and all in Him is mine
Alive in Him my living Head
And clothed in righteousness divine
Bold I approach th’eternal throne
And claim the crown through Christ my own

And Can It Be, That I Should Gain? 1738
By: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Listen to this modern version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics.  Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below. 

Below 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!! We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

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 hymn which encourages us to be amazed at God’s love for us prepare to respond and give Him praise. Let’s think about this.

Approaching Boldly

That I get to approach His throne at all is hard to believe. That I can do so boldly is even more remarkable. Though He has reigned eternally, He has given me access to come before His throne with boldness. What a gift!

It is after all a throne of grace. Rather, it is The Throne of Grace which is true on at least two counts it seems. First, because our God is a God of grace, His throne would obviously be characterized by grace. But maybe even mores, it is The Throne of Grace because it is both the pinnacle of grace and the place from which grace emanates.

Bold I approach th’eternal throne

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Free of condemnation and clothed in righteousness I boldly approach His eternal throne. Why? Because I face trouble in this life and long to go to the One who is bigger than my biggest problem. To know I can not only come, but come with confidence, is such a blessing.

Clothed in His righteousness I can boldly approach His throne. It was not enough for Him to free me of condemnation and give me life, He gave me access to His very presence where I will spend the balance of eternity before the throne of my matchless King.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and imagine what that will be like when you finally get to approach the throne boldly. Though we long for the day when we approach in person, we have that same access in our souls right now. Pray the simple prayer, “God, help me long to approach Your throne.“

Claiming the Crown

If you thought mercy and grace were all you would receive when you come you are sorely mistaken. You will receive a crown. Such a gift is promised to those who love God.

We claim the crown, but loving Him. Loving Him who first loved us. Loved us when we were anything but lovable. Though not very lovable we were His. Because of that He loved us redeemingly.

Are you ready to claim your crown?

And claim the crown through Christ my own

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV

And not only come, but come to claim a crown. And just what kind of crown, the crown of life. Even if I have to pass through death to make my claim I am not afraid. Because I love Him I believe He will help me to be steadfast under trial. I love Him because He loved me first.

Not only will I be with Him, I will reign with Him. This is mind boggling. I believe it to be true and yet struggle to grasp the magnitude of this incredible promise. Only through Jesus is this incredible inheritance possible. Though I am not worthy, one day I will claim my crown.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and imagine that crowning resting upon your brow. Do you know who will place it there. Jesus Himself. Just a bit too much to take in, but try anyway for that day is coming. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, give me the faith to believe this truth.“

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
Approaching Boldly – http://troendesforsamling.org/en/2019/articles/the-throne-in-heaven/
Claim the Crown – https://biblestudymedia.com/blogs/daily-lectionary-devotional/a-crown-of-beauty

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
I woke the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off my heart was free
I rose went forth and followed Thee

And Can It Be, That I Should Gain? 1738
By: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Listen to this modern version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics.  Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below. 

Below 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!! We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

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 hymn which encourages us to be amazed at God’s love for us prepare to respond and give Him praise. Let’s think about this.

Broken Chains

We were no more aware of our chains than we were of our prison. That is until the light of God’s love flooded our cell. Even with awareness there was still no way of escape if it were not for the one the God made available to us by His grace.

Imagine for a moment your heart chained. Barely able to beat, to function as it should, but not knowing any better, the impairment of the bondage was not even clear to us. It was what we understood to be normal.

Then God changed all that. He shattered the doors. He cut the bars of iron in two.

My chains fell off my heart was free

For he shatters the doors of bronze
    and cuts in two the bars of iron. Psalm 107:16 ESV

He set us free by shattering the doors of our prison, loosing the chains that long had bound us. Do you recall what that felt like to have the burden of sin lifted from your heart? Recalling that elation is good fuel for the flame of your soul.

That same light which illuminated my bondage also shattered those shackles. Even more than the release of physical chains my heart was truly free from the consequence of a lifetime of sin. I could have never pryed them off but they melted away in the light of God’s love.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and recall the weight of your chains. Now reflect on how it felt in those first moments to have them fall away. Pray the simple prayer, “God, I praise You for dissolving the chains my sin had forged.”

Following the Chain Breaker

Simply being free was not the end of the story of redemption, but the very beginning. Our Lord has so much more in store for us beyond the miracle of freedom. Still so many taste that liberty and feast no more, content with only the first course of the meal God has made available.

With the weight of our sin and its curse lifted we can rise up. Before that moment we were not able to move, or rather not free to move about in God’s purpose. At best we muddled around thinking that was normal, but somewhere deeper knowing that was not true.

As we rose we were presented with the reality that we needed to choose a path. There are no shortage of ones available but truly one best, the one that has us following Jesus. Can you see His footprints ahead of you so you know which way to go. If not, wait for them to become clear.

I rose went forth and followed Thee

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man! Psalm 107:15 ESV

We thank Him for that freedom by rising in it and committing to walk in it. It is His steadfast love that set us free and we live to share that wondrous work with all who will listen. Are your lips and your life making that good news known?

The only appropriate response to that newfound freedom is to rise up and follow the One who made it available. First we stand in His presence, free of sin. Then we learn to move about in that freedom, all the while learning that following Him is the only path to enjoying it fully.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and thank God for setting you free. We must learn to live our lives in response to His love by following Him, walking in His ways. Pray this simple prayer, “Jesus, show me how to follow You today.“

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
Broken Chains – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/freedom-break-handcuffs-happiness-4025802/
Followed – https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-nature-sense-landscape-117255/