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What A Happy Sight!

It was there by faith I received my sight

At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

What Do You See?

When you look at the cross what do you see? Try it. Close you eyes. Envision the cross. Answer the question. What do you see?

Do you see the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your soul? Eyes of faith allow you to see that. Not simply Jesus hanging there to pay for your sins, but the outcome of your faith. We did not get to see Jesus at the cross, but when we look at the cross we can see Jesus, and all that His work there accomplished.

It was there by faith I received my sight

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV

Our faith allows us to see the wonder of the cross, Christ’s finished work there and all that He accomplished. Thank Him for giving you spiritual eyes to see.

What a gift to see the cross with eyes of faith! Many who look upon it never truly realize the significance of what Jesus did there. If you do, give Him praise. If you do not, ask Him to give you faith-enabled sight right now.

RESONATE!
When you look at the cross can you see the salvation of your soul? If not, please take a few minutes right now and ask Jesus for faith-enabled sight. There is an effect of Jesus’ work at the cross, but you must have spiritual eyes to see it. 

Enduring Happiness

And now I am happy all the day

And just what is that effect of Jesus’ work at the cross? The Scripture above says the salvation of your souls. The hymn writer here says being made happy all the day. Are they the same or are they different? I suppose they could be both, depending on your understanding, but for our sake here we are going to say they are the same.

There are the same because the soul that is saved has a happiness that is not effected by external circumstances. It is happy all the day no matter what because it has found peace with God. Have you found that happiness?

And now I am happy all the day

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

We have victory over sin, death and the grave through our Lord Jesus Christ. We experience sadnesses in our lives, but we do so against the enduring joy He has given us. Thank Him one more time for applying His work at the cross to your life.

The writer is not saying we never have anything but happiness. Instead, he is affirming that because of the cross, even when we deal with unhappy things we are able to maintain a level of happiness in spite of it. Thank the Father for making you happy.

RESONATE!
God saved your soul through the work of His Son at the cross. Thank the Father for saving your soul, for making you happy. “Father, thank You for making me happy.” 

Jesus, thank You for your work at the cross. It changes everything for me, not only for eternity but for how I live my life daily. In Jesus name. Amen.

Happy 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.

Podcast 26.6 Transcript 

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV

Jesus bled and died at the cross so that we could die to sin and live to righteousness. At the cross He opened our eyes and delivered us from the dominion of darkness. Give Him praise for opening your eyes at the cross.

And the burden of my heart rolled away

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV

If you have placed your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross, you know what it feels like to have the weight of your sin lifted. Thank Him. If you do not know, humble yourself before Him, confess your sin and need of a Savior, and feel the burden roll away today.

It was there by faith I received my sight

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV

Our faith allows us to see the wonder of the cross, Christ’s finished work there and all that He accomplished. Thank Him for giving you spiritual eyes to see.

And now I am happy all the day

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

We have victory over sin, death and the grave through our Lord Jesus Christ. We experience sadnesses in our lives, but we do so against the enduring joy He has given us. Thank Him one more time for applying His work at the cross to your life.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post What A Happy Sight! appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
It was there by faith I received my sight – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-human-face-vision-look-person-321961/
And now I am happy all the day – https://pixabay.com/photos/search/happy/

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Presenting the Gift of Love

Here Lord I Give Myself Away

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Present Your Gift

When you give something away it is called a gift. Another word for gift is present. One way of conveying a present to someone is to present it to them.

Truly the only thing you can give or present to someone that they can get nowhere else is yourself. When the writer talks about giving himself away, he has gotten to the core of what it means to give, taking something special or unique and presenting it to someone.

As we think of Jesus sacrifice this is the only appropriate gift or present. Our very selves. Are you ready to present the gift of your life to God?

Here Lord I give myself away

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

Our response is expressed by giving our lives in worship to God, loving Him and loving others. In view of His mercies, and even by them, to give ourselves over to the purposes of God as modeled by Christ Himself. Will you give yourself entirely over to the Lord? What are you holding back?

Here is our response. We give ourselves away to God, to use our lives as extensions and expressions of the very love of Christ that has changed our eternities and is transforming our days. What will giving yourself away look like today? Ask the Father that question routinely.

 

RESONATE!
Lord help me to give myself to you. Father, please show me how to give myself away today. And remind me to ask you some  question like that again tomorrow and every day. 

Love Earnestly

‘Tis All That I Can Do

What does giving yourself away look like? Love. And what does love look like? There are countless expressions of this most important action and God will help you find yours. The crucial thing is to understand that loving by giving yourself away to God and others should really characterize every word and deed. It is really all you can do, because it should be the motivation of everything you do.

‘Tis all that I can do

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV

Christ’s work on the cross paid the penalty for all our sins, yet there is some way that our response of love to His great act of love also covers sins. All we can do is love one another seriously. It is easier said than done, but may Christ’s example inspire and empower us today.

Giving ourselves away is the only right response to Christ doing that first. The hymn writer says it is all that we can do, so in a thousand ways this singular truth will be lived today. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with joy as you find your unique expressions of God’s love today.

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to reveal to you the intrinsic nature of loving by practicing giving myself away. Even when I struggle to keep something back, teach me to give my all. Help me to do so gladly. Spirit, fill me with joy as I love.

Loving Savior, thank You for showing me how to love by enduring the cross for the Father’s glory and my good. Give me eyes to see the cross this season and find my surrender in it  I want to experience the joy of giving myself away. 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.

Podcast 26.5 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay 

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV

When we look at the cross and realize it was necessary because of our sin, it causes grief. That grief is the result of the awareness of our Savior’s sacrifice to take the burden of sin. In this penitent season, look to the cross again, and feel that grief.

The debt of love I owe 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV

Our grief in the cross should not leave us wallowing in sadness, but responding with gratitude in the resurrection life of Christ. That gratitude is characterized by love for the One who laid down His life and took it up again so we too might live. Acknowledge your debt of love to Jesus.

Here Lord I give myself away

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

Our response is expressed by giving our lives in worship to God, loving Him and loving others. In view of His mercies, and even by them, to give ourselves over to the purposes of God as modeled by Christ Himself. Will you give yourself entirely over to the Lord? What are you holding back?

‘Tis all that I can do

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV

Christ’s work on the cross paid the penalty for all our sins, yet there is some way that our response of love to His great act of love also covers sins. All we can do is love one another seriously. It is easier said than done, but may Christ’s example inspire and empower us today.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Presenting the Gift of Love appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Here Lord I give myself away – https://pixabay.com/photos/gift-packaging-loop-christmas-402199/
‘Tis all that I can do – https://pixabay.com/photos/people-friends-group-hands-signs-2608145/

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Evoking Godly Emotions

Dissolve My Heart in Thankfulness

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Dissolve

There is a lot of emotion in this stanza. The first part was focused on the blushing caused by the very appearance of the cross. This second part is no less dramatic.

The use of the word dissolve here first reveals the tone. This usage has to do with one thing subsiding uncontrollably into an emotion or feeling, in this case thankfulness. The writer is praying and asking God to cause his heart to subside uncontrollably into thankfulness, and all this at the very appearance or thought of the cross.

Has that ever been your experience? Have you ever looked at the cross, pondered our Savior’s sacrifice there, and found the very seat of your emotions sinking into a state of thankfulness? Not part of it, but all of it, until you were overcome with gratitude?

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20 ESV

Seeing ourselves clearly against the backdrop of the cross can have the effect of dissolving our heart in thankfulness, but we must welcome that work. We should be thankful for the work of the cross. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart overwhelmed with thankfulness.

From shame in the first part of this stanza to thankfulness in the latter, such is the journey of the honest soul as it acknowledges all the emotions the cross evokes. What a beautiful prayer to have our hearts dissolved in thankfulness! Are you willing to have your heart dissolved? If so, ask Jesus to do it.

RESONATE!
It really is a simple prayer, but one that must be prayed earnestly. “Jesus, dissolve my heart in thankfulness.”
If you are willing to ask, truly desiring that experience, be prepared for God to answer for there are few prayers God would like to answer more than to help your heart to sink into gratitude.

Melt

And Melt Mine Eyes with Tears

The use of the word dissolve above was not unlike the use of the word melt here, at least in some ways. The makeup of the object changes, from ingratitude to thankfulness, from something hard to something soft. But there is something in the words that is interesting.

It is the word to. The writer did not pray, “melt mine eyes with tears”, but “melt mine eyes to tears”. That is a very interesting choice.

With implies lots of tears flooding the eyes. To implies the eyes actually becoming tears, so complete is the anguish. The very nature of the eyes changes, so complete is the pain. Though I have cried tears at the thought of the cross, this seems more exhaustive, and I think I want it. How about you?

And melt mine eyes to tears

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret…2 Corinthians 7:10a ESV

Though thankful we are also grieved when we see our need for the cross. We repent and turn from our lives of self and sin and surrender to the work of repentance. Repentance leads to salvation, and in salvation there is no regret. Ask Jesus to melt your eyes to tears of repentance.

From thankfulness to tears, maybe ones of godly repentance as much as it may still be needed, and maybe ones of utter joy at the incredible, undeserved gift of salvation. Have your eyes ever melted into tears at the thought of the cross? If not, ask the Spirit to do that today.

RESONATE!
Again, a simple prayer, but with profound implications.  Will you prayer, “Spirit, melt my eyes to tears”? Be ready for Him to answer.

Merciful Savior, thank You for Your work on the cross that creates a scenario where my heart can be filled with thankfulness and my eyes would melt to tears. I want to experience that kind of thoughtful emotion and the very appearance of the cross. Amen.

Emotional Thinking!

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Podcast 26.4 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

Saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. Ezra 9:6 ESV

Though these are the words Ezra spoke when he heard the sins of the returned exiles recounted, they might just as well be ours when the cross forces us to confront our sin. We should be ashamed of the lives we lived apart from the cross. Confess your shame.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

While Calvary’s cross appears

And you…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13a-14 ESV

The cross makes a way for all the wrong things to be made right, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us. We are ashamed that we are hopeless without Him, but it can lead us to the place of putting all our hope in the cross and Christ’s finished work there. Embrace the glory of the cross.

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20 ESV

Seeing ourselves clearly against the backdrop of the cross can have the effect of dissolving our heart in thankfulness, but we must welcome that work. We should be thankful for the work of the cross. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a heart overwhelmed with thankfulness.

And melt mine eyes to tears

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret…2 Corinthians 7:10a ESV

Though thankful we are also grieved when we see our need for the cross. We repent and turn from our lives of self and sin and surrender to the work of repentance. Repentance leads to salvation, andin salvation there is no regret. Ask Jesus to melt your eyes to tears of repentance.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Evoking Godly Emotions appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Dissolve My Heart in Thankfulness – https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-ice-cold-winter-christmas-549097/
And Melt Mine Eyes with Tears – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-tear-cry-sadness-pain-emotion-609987/

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The Makers Man-Remaking Repurchase

When Christ the Mighty Maker Died

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man the creature’s sin

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

The Mighty Maker

It is hard for me to fathom that the One who made all things voluntarily offered His life so that He could remake all things.

Scripture clearly tells us that Christ made all things and in Him all things hold together. Jesus was there at the the beginning  and will be there at the end, Alpha and Omega. Because of the cross we get to join the song of joyful praise which began at the creation. As one hymn puts it, “Mortals join the happy chorus which the morning stars began.”

Christ brings us back into relationship with God. Brings us back to God, having been put to death, but made alive in the spirit. Because He suffered we do not have to any longer.

When Christ the mighty Maker died

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV

Having initially made all things good, He suffered and died to remake everything good again. His work of creation flawed by our sin was set right in His work of re-creation and redemption. He was put to death in the flesh, to make us alive in the spirit. Hallelujah!

 

 

RESONATE!
Take a moment and think of your favorite part of creation. Praise God for revealing His glory to you in it. Then praise Him for revealing His glory in His redemptive work, even more miraculously that His creative work, when You get down to it. The revelation is possible because He died, paying the penalty for our sins. Thank Jesus for dying.

The Sinful Creature

For Man the Creatures Sin

He is the Creator, or Maker, and we are the pinnacle of creation, having been made in His image. The creature of creatures. But before we begin to think to highly of ourselves, remember that when given the opportunity the first of us blew paradise up by choosing their will over God’s. This is often the underlying issue with sin.

At that original sin but us, the creature, at odds with Christ, the Creator. What should have been Paradise became Paradise lost. Their sin separated them from God, and ours does the same. If it had been you or me in the garden we would have made the same mistake.

For man the creature’s sin

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 ESV

We fell short, so God had to intervene to lift us to His glory again. We sinned, so God had to do something about it, The cross changes our temporal direction as well as our eternal destiny. Christ models for us the self-denial that ushers God’s light into our lives. Will you embrace His path!

If the Spirit did not reveal to us the significance of Christ’s work in our redemption we would not believe it, would not even realize our need for a Savior. But thanks be to God, He has revealed it to us. Thank the Spirit for doing His work of revealing our sin and Christ’s salvation.

Spirit, thank You for revealing my sin and Christ’s salvation.

RESONATE!
How kind of God to reveal to us how much we need Him. The Holy Spirit does this work. Will you welcome that work, not only in salvation, but in sanctification as well?

Mighty Maker, thank You for making all things well. Righteous Redeemer, thank You for making all things well again. Keep me continually mindful of how grateful I should be for both of those incredible workings. Amen.

Awestruck 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.

Podcast 26.3 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Well might the sun in darkness hide

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45 ESV

As Jesus hung on the cross a darkness covered the whole land. Though we do not know exactly what the gospel writers mean by this, it seems more than just poetic. A heaviness undoubtedly permeated those three hours while Jesus suffered on the cross. Think about that.

And shut His glories in

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10 ESV

It was fitting that this darkness would be paralleled by that which Jesus was battling. He was about to experience separation from the Father as He became sin for us. The suffering of the One who made all things would bring many to glory. Thank Him if you are one of them.

When Christ the mighty Maker died

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV

Having initially made all things good, He suffered and died to remake everything good again. His work of creation flawed by our sin was set right in His work of re-creation and redemption. He was put to death in the flesh, to make us alive in the spirit. Hallelujah! 

For man the creature’s sin

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 ESV

We fell short, so God had to intervene to lift us to His glory again. We sinned, so God had to do something about it, The cross changes our temporal direction as well as our eternal destiny. Christ models for us the self-denial that ushers God’s light into our lives. Embrace His path!

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man the creature’s sin

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post The Makers Man-Remaking Repurchaseappeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
When Christ the Mighty Maker Died – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/crucifixion-of-jesus-bible-story.html
For Man the Creatures Sin – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-1448946/

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The Shepherd Loves His Sheep

Amazing Pity Grace Unknown

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree
Amazing pity grace unknown
And love beyond degree

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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.

Pity and Grace

It was His pity that prompted His grace. He did not simply feel sorry for us. He was moved to compassion.

It reminds me of Matthew 9:36 which says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Sheep without a shepherd are in a bad way. With no protection, they are easily victimized. They can not protect themselves, and are likely to be in grave danger.

That was our status because of the crimes we had done which separated us from our Good Shepherd. Our sins had put us in a bad way. With no protection for the wrath of a Holy God, no way to escape it. We were in grave danger. Then, the cross.

Amazing pity grace unknown

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV

The riches of God’s grace and the extravagance of His pity are on display at the cross better than anywhere else. Redemption and forgiveness are ours because of Christ’s work there. God saw how our sin caused us to suffer and He intervened.

Grace like that which was on display on the cross had never been seen before it. The Father saw that we were suffering in sin, He pitied us, and then did something about it. He sent His only Son, the only one who could, to bear the penalty for our sins.

RESONATE!
Give Him praise! What are you waiting for? Sing a song, say a prayer, find a way to express, “Father, I praise You for Your grace and pity.” 

And Love

And Love Beyond Degree

When I think of myself as the lonely sheep, harassed and helpless and the darkness encroaches, I am so thankful for Jesus’ pity and grace. But I am also thankful for His love. He came after me, and it cost Him.

I am reminded of Matthew 18:12 which says, “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” He would leave ninety-nine to come after me, but in order to get to me, He had to give up His life.

And love beyond degree

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV 

He showed His love best on the cross, while we were still sinners. Love beyond degree. He did not wait until we were lovable, and good thing because we never would have been to a holy God. Instead, He made us lovable through the cross. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!

The cross is an expression of love that we can not even truly fathom. For Christ to bear the weight of all sin for all time requires a love that is truly incomprehensible, yet the Spirit makes it known to us. Thank the Spirit for giving you the capacity to see and receive God’s love there.

RESONATE!
Do you remember your helpless and harassed state before you surrendered to the Shepherd’s call? Take a moment and think about that. Then think about His coming to you, like a sheep lost and alone, when you first believed. That was the work of the Spirit, allowing you to see and receive God’s love at the cross.  Thank Him.

My Good Shepherd, thank You for coming after me and finding me. Thank You that I did not have to come to You, but instead you pursued me. I will be grateful eternally for that kindness. Amen.

Grateful Thinking!

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Podcast 26.2 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Was it for crimes that I have done

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV 

Yes, Christ bore the punishment for our crimes, our sins, when He went to the cross. He had never sinned and was crucified without reason, which is why Pilate washed His hands of the matter. The sinless died for the sinful. Recall when you first realized you needed a Savior.

He groaned upon the tree

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:34 ESV

Jesus said several things from the cross but this expression may have seemed that most like a groan. Again, in His humanity Christ felt forsaken as He died on the cross. He endured that shame and separation from the Father for our good. Thank Him for bearing the cross for you.

Amazing pity grace unknown

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV

The riches of God’s grace and the extravagance of His pity on are display at the cross better than anywhere else. Redemption and forgiveness are ours because of Christ’s work there. God saw how our sin caused us to suffer and He intervened. Give Him praise!

And love beyond degree

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV 

He showed His love best on the cross, while we were still sinners. Love beyond degree. He did not wait until we were lovable, and good thing because we never would have been to a holy God. Instead, He made us lovable through the cross. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree
Amazing pity grace unknown
And love beyond degree

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time,
Be Resonant.

The post The Shepherd Loves His Sheep appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Amazing Pity, Grace Unknown – https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-sheep-silhouette-dusk-50494/
And Love Beyond Degree – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-good-shepherd-christ-1335804/

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