Alas and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sov’reign die
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I

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.

His Glory

The first half of this stanza asks if our Savior, our Sovereign bled and died, but it is the second half which really finishes the question. It provides the reason behind why He did and should leave those of us who benefit from His sacrifice in stunned awe. Take a few minutes to ponder this.

Would He devote that sacred head

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

The Father gave His only Son to provide us the opportunity to move from death to life. What an astonishing and extravagant yet necessary gift it was! Consider for a moment your eternity if Jesus had not been willing to surrender to the Father’s will. We would be doomed.

Yes, God was so committed to our redemption that He was absolutely willing to devote, to commit a large portion of His resources, namely the sacred head of His beloved Son, to that purpose. He loved the world that much. May we be overwhelmed by it in this penitent season.

RESONATE!
This is one of the most basic truths of our faith. Christ died for us. This is one of the most common verses infall of Scripture, but when was the last time you stopped to reflect on it? Will you take a few minutes right now and do that? If you will, first pray this simple prayer. “Lord, overwhelm me with Your sacrifice.”

My Depravity

The juxtaposition between the innate value of these two things, Christ’s glory and my depravity, highlights the stark contrast between the two. But the choice of words for this last line has changed over the years, and though I like the current version best, I must admit the original lyrical choice by Watts is pretty striking. Not sure what it is, let me take you back.

Current – For sinners such as I

Transitional – For such a one as I

Original – For such a worm as I

Although not certain why the change was initially made, I have heard it supposed that people were not comfortable associating themselves with a worthless worm. This seems silly to me because of the utter lostness of our souls when we acknowledge we were sinners, as in the current version. “Such a one” was a terrible choice, and “sinners such as I” is superior in my opinion to “such a worm”, but I appreciate the powerful illustration of being acquainted with the lowly condition of a worm.

For sinners such as I

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

Far worse off than any worm, doomed would we be because of our sin. It separated us eternally from the Father…and yet, He made a way. Christ died for us to show us the love of God. And that extravagant offering was devoted and offered while we were so undeserving. We were sinners, lost and hurling down a path toward eternal damnation and separation from a loving God. Then He intervened.

RESONATE!
How will you respond to that love through this season of Lent? How will you offer yourself to God, responding to Jesus’ example? Ask the Spirit to show you to respond, and then enliven the praise of your ransomed soul.

O Sacred Head, thank You for being so devoted to the Father’s will that You were able to accomplish my redemption. Through this season as I approach Easter again, overwhelm me with Your sacrifice and fill me with wonder as never before. 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
Would He Devote That Sacred Head – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-clinic-jesus-christ-2437571/
For Sinners Such As I – https://pixabay.com/photos/earthworm-soil-dirt-macro-686593/

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

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.

Heart of My Heart

In makes sense that on the final approach to Valentine’s Day, we have a line that focuses on hearts. But the real idea that is being evoked here is not so much about love, but the heart as the center of something. And the heart of hearts being the center of the center.

There is an earnestness in the cliche, “in my heart of hearts”. It indicates believing something deeply, and sometimes to hold it as one of your most secret and true thoughts. For instance, to say “I know in my heart of hearts, I am the right man for this mission” means I truly believe this to be true.

We should confess that God is at the very center of our truest thoughts. Whatever happens, He is the heart of our heart. And it is the living out of that desire, in it’s purest form, that will allow us to see God not just eventually, but constantly.

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 ESV

And just how do we become, “pure in heart”? Only God can do this work, but thanks be to God, He has made it available in Jesus Christ. We long to see God, and we will, if we simply respond to His invitation of love. He purifies our heart at salvation, and then continues the experience of that as we walk along with Him.

He is the very center of all that is dear to us. Even though we often fail to realize it here and now, it will not be lost on us then and there. A better understanding of that now helps us to pray earnestly for it, through all that we experience, while we wait. Ask for perseverance.

RESONATE!
We want to see God, so we better let Him work on our hearts, and partner with Him to do our part as well. Are there other things crowding Him out of that center position? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that might be competing with the One who should be the heart of your heart.

My Vision

One of the ways that we practice Him being the center of our heart is by continually making Him our highest aspiration and greatest goal. You rarely hit a target at which you are not aiming. Is the Lord set before you?

The cross in the picture here has a target built into the crux of the cross. It is a good reminder that we need to keep our eyes on the cross. It will keep us from being shaken whenever difficulties befall us, as the previous line indicated.

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 ESV

He is our goal and our prize. We are walking in a particular direction, the one that will lead us to the place we long to be, in God’s very presence. Nothing can deter us on our journey because He is with us. Thank Him for being your Vision, AND helping you to realize it.

Having a clear mental picture of what we are pressing toward makes the working and waiting easier. Having a firm faith in the Sovereign over it all does as well. Ask Him for that picture and the faith required to wait until He makes it a reality.

RESONATE!
Take a moment and pray the two prayers indicated above. The first is one of thankfulness because only by His grace can we even see Him at all. The second voices a desire to see Him more clearly. It will be time well spent.

Ruler of all, be my Vision and Victory. Help me to set my eyes on You. May that resolve find me convinced You are with me, and help me stand firm in You. 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
Heart of My Own Heart, Whatever Befall – https://pixabay.com/photos/necklace-with-winged-heart-2900736/
Still Be My Vision, O Ruler of All – https://pixabay.com/photos/eyes-blue-sky-clouds-sunset-5459811/

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

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.

First

Early in my relationship with God I learned the verse below and it has since become to me a significant scripture throughout my journey. Some might call it a Life Verse, one that governs much of my thinking about my Lord, and His activity in my life. Even so, I often fail to live up to the highest expressions of it, though it remains my aspiration to do so.

Putting God first in all things and keeping Him there are both lofty aspirations as well. To do so will create some conflict internally and externally, but will ensure that you will always be able to find your path forward, even if not initially. Trust requires that we believe God is at work even when we do not see it, making a way where there seems to be none.

I am not certain it will still be sung hundreds of years from now but a song of our day expresses well the kind of faith necessary to put and keep God first. Way Maker by Leeland says,

Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working

I think of those who first sang these words, and those who first sang the ones below and marvel that across time and space the same God revealed Himself to song writers who found words for their contemporaries to express in worship. We join when them as we sing…

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

It is so easy to lean on other things and not fully trust the Lord. Working to acknowledge Him in all our ways is a good antidote though. When we are convinced He is our Inheritance, as the previous line declares, we find it much easier to put Him and Him alone first in our heart. We love others to be sure, but none so much as Him. 

RESONATE!
Do you know what it looks like to put Him first in your heart? Ask Jesus to show you today. “Jesus, show me the way to make you first today.” What are a couple ways you are feeling inclined to make God first in your heart? What will you do about that prompting today?

High King

Sometimes I look into the heavens and marvel at the fact that the One who made them not only cares for me, but wants me to see Him as the treasure that He is. He reveals Himself to me as such in those moments, but I all too quickly forget. How about you?

I was running some errands just last night and walked out to my vehicle to see a sunset which literally took my breath away. It was one of a thousand I have seen that revealed to me the creative wonder of the Lord God. Each of them a form of riches I should treasure more than anything this earth affords.

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, Nehemiah 1:5 ESV

This is the opening of Nehemiah’s prayer after days of mourning, fasting and praying. It was not a quick and easy acclamation but one he was still determined to make. Are you so resolved?

We set out on this journey believing He is our Treasure, but the further we go the more we realize just how true that is. Wherever you are on that journey, ask your King to take you higher into the knowledge of what Treasure He truly is, now and forevermore.

High King of Heaven, lift me to a greater knowledge of You.

RESONATE!
Take a moment and allow the Lord to search your heart to reveal if He is your treasure.  If He reveals any competitors, renounce them and place Him first in your heart. Then ask Him to help you see the Treasure He truly is and to cherish Him rightly.

Lord God of heaven, thank You for revealing the great and awesome works of creation. I long to live ever in awe of the Treasure You are. Forgive me for the many times I have failed to do so. I am grateful You are calling me back to practicing that priority. 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 and Thou Only First in My Heart – https://pixabay.com/vectors/first-aid-medical-medicine-doctor-2789561/
High King of Heaven My Treasure Thou Art – https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-field-calm-tranquil-scene-736875/

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/