O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol 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.

We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text which invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s think about this.

Seeing the Path

It can sometimes be difficult to identify the path ahead of you. Sometimes it is because the tress are so thick it is hard to see. Sometimes it is just dark. Sometimes it is challenging to lift your head enough to make anything out at all.

If you are going to be successful in any endeavor you must have some perspective and some clarity. Without the former, you are likely to settle into whatever makes you comfortable. Without the latter, you may be inclined to wander aimlessly, moving around but getting nowhere.

As you think about finishing this year and starting the new one soon, do any of these circumstances describe what you are going through? Maybe you are having trouble finding your way and you are struggling. Maybe you have asked for help but it does not seem to be coming. Whatever the case, this stanza offers a simple solution through a simply prayer.

To us the path of knowledge show,

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 ESV

His paths are not ours, but He welcomes us to leave the ones we are on and join Him. If you truly want to walk the path of knowledge, ask Him to show it to you, realizing it may very well be small, daily adjustments you will need to make. Those adjustments may be all that is required of you to learn His paths.

One of the ways He orders the things in your life, the prayer from the previous line in the hymn, is by revealing the very path of knowledge. When you know the way to go, that which knowledge dictates, you have a better opportunity to take it. 

RESONATE!
I know it seems too simple, but it is very important you ask Him to show you His path. He wants to do it.  But He does want s to want it. Ask Jesus to show you the path of knowledge. 

Taking It

It is one thing to know the path, to be able to see it, identify it.  It is another thing altogether to walk it. But having a companion along the way, one who knows the path can make a huge difference.

You are never alone. God is always with you. Always showing. Always teaching. Are you watching? Is this your prayer?

And teach us in its ways to go.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 ESV

He has promised He will instruct and teach us, but notice it is a very personal thing. He is going to counsel us, and have His eye on us. How remarkable is that? Wisdom from on high has His eye on you as you learn to walk in His ways. That is pretty remarkable.

But what to how remarkable that is the simple fact that even when we know the right, we do not choose it and He knows that. Often we may know the right way, but we still choose the wrong. He says I will teach you in the way you should go. He will not force us, but welcomes us to taking it.

RESONATE!
Thank Him that He is watching you, ever instructing and redirecting. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to walk the path of knowledge so you may be positioned to receive the blessings of walking with wisdom. Spirit, teach me how to walk with wisdom.

Jesus, thank You for your patience with me as I muddle along the path you have clearly marked. Help me to walk it in today and every day. I am so thankful Your eye is upon me. 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
To Us the Path of Knowledge Show – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/man-forest-path-trees-woods-5714986/
And Cause Us in Her Ways to Go –  https://pixabay.com/illustrations/illustration-background-wallpaper-5291780/

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol 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.

We begin our journey through Advent with this ancient text which invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s think about this.

Separation

When was the last time you were away from someone you really cared about? Can you recall that terrible feeling? Have you ever experienced the uncertainty of not knowing if a separation would end, and that it was all your fault?

All these evoke the feeling of having a wedge driven in your relationship with God. We have all felt it at times, even after it ended in earnest when we surrendered our lives to Him and welcomed Him in. It is awful.

This opening stanza sets up the hope of that separation ending by carefully acknowledging the pain of it. It calls to mind the Scriptural allusion of Israel being separated from God by its sin. In so doing, it allows us to enter into that drama on a personal level by considering how we have contributed to our own exile, or at least the feeling of it.

That mourns in lonely exile here

He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12 

When we do acknowledge that separation, it is painful because we realize it is our choices that have created it, just like Israel. There is a remedy for that malady.  Do you know what it is?

The separation caused by sin is real and agonizing. We must accept that, confess it and plead with the Father to deliver us from its debilitating effects. Do it today!

RESONATE!
Confess the things that separate you and cry out to be drawn near again. Mourn any separation from Him, and allow that grief to motivate you to repentance as you turn back to God. Do so and ask Jesus to gather you close. 

Joining

Separation need not be eternal.

When was the last time you were reunited with someone you really cared about after some period of separation? Can you recall that wonderful feeling? Have you ever experienced the elation of knowing a separation would end, and that the joining together was not your doing at all?

The name God gives Himself in this stanza is Emmanuel. God with us. We will not always be separated from Him as we are today. There is coming a day of great rejoicing when we are joined with God at the return of Jesus Christ. This is our blessed hope.

Until the Son of God appear.

Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 ESV

As Israel longed to rejoice at the first coming of Emmanuel, so do we for His second. He is our blessed hope and just as certainly as He came to them as the promised Messiah, so He will come again as the conquering King. Is He your hope?

Trust that just as Jesus came to His people as a helpless baby, He will come to you as a faithful savior. He will come, and He will appear or make Himself known to you. Are you longing for that day, ready to rejoice?

RESONATE!
Prepare yourself in this season to respond to His coming to you, and ready yourself to rejoice. Ask the Father to fill you with anticipation this season. Ask Jesus to help you prepare to rejoice at His coming.

Jesus, how I long to rejoice at Your return. Help me prepare by being honest with You about things that separate me. You are my blessed hope. 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
That Mourns in Lonely Exile Here – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/silhouette-woman-tree-landscape-67202/Until the Son of GOd Appear – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515662226059884353/

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

All You Need, No Matter the Day

God’s faithfulness is the same every day.

What are you facing today for which you need God’s strength? He is faithful. What challenge awaits you tomorrow which will require the hope that is only found in God? He is faithful. Whether today or tomorrow you can count on God to provide everything you need.

Today never really becomes tomorrow, and yet God has made a promise and provision for each in its own way.  Tomorrow is always a day away, as Annie sang in the musical bearing her name. The difference is illustrated in the two phrases, “I am” and “I will”.

“I am” is present tense. Today.

“I will” is future tense. Tomorrow.

Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

He is with us. He is our God. Strength for today.

He will strengthen. He will help. He will uphold. Bright hope for tomorrow.

Just the strength for the day we are facing is a gift we sometimes fail to open, but He also gives us hope beyond it. How gracious that two-fold gift is, and how unfortunate we fail to receive it on some days when we need it most. Ask the Spirit for the humility to accept them.

Spirit, help me to humbly receive Your strength and hope.

RESONATE!
All you need for whatever you are facing today, and hope that the same will be true tomorrow when it comes can be yours in Christ. What has you troubled? Look to God for the strength and hope you need to overcome it.

All You Need, Along with Everyone Else

God’s faithfulness is the same for every person. Not only every day, but also every one.

Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

Love Him and keep His commandments. Easier said than done. But He is faithful and if we will surrender we will know the blessing of standing side by side with countless others who have made that same choice and trusted God to help them fulfill it as well.

This is such a great line. All the blessings of this final stanza are fully mine, even though there are “ten thousand” others around me with the same access to each of them. How faithful is our God and how boundless His kindness to us. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness once more.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about that incredible truth. You have a unique access to the blessings of God, but so do countless others who will trust Him. How can you love Him better today? Ask Him and trust that He will help you.

Father, thank You for the blessings that are mine, and everyone else’s who will love You and keep Your commandments. Help me do that. Amen.

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attribution
Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/light-tunnel-silhouette-woman-3920898/
Blessings All Mine with Ten Thousand Beside – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/people-crowd-group-abstract-5710630/

I have no merit
to woo or delight Thee,
I have no wisdom
or pow’rs to employ;
Yet in thy mercy,
how pleasing thou find’st me,
This is Thy pleasure:
 that Thou art my joy. 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

God Took Initiative

The first half of this stanza appears to be a real downer, until the second half redeems it and with it any hope we have at experiencing the faithfulness of God. It starts by outlining our utter depravity before restoring the possibility of something else. The first part of the thought from Jeremiah 9:23-24 could be viewed in a similar negative light if it were not for the latter half for it tells us what not to do, before instructing us what to do instead.

Yet in thy mercy,
how pleasing thou find’st me,

…but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24 ESV 

He practices that steadfast love, justice and righteousness on us, and even delights to do so. This must be our boast. Not anything that we are or have done, but in the unmerited favor and delight of our Lord.

Consider the image above. It makes me think of someone who has opened themselves to the bright glory of the knowledge of God and His steadfast love, justices and righteousness. Can you see yourself taking such a posture? Are you open to God’s mercy, allowing it to flow in Your life?

There is nothing in us that merits that mercy, but even still, the Lord makes a way for me to be found pleasing to Him. None of that lies with me.  It is His mercy, not getting what we deserve. It is all His work, so none can boast, other than boasting in Him. 

Spirit, help me boast in God today, and forever. Make that boast right now, then all day and forever. Make your boast in Him today, then repeat that every day, for eternity. 

RESONATE!
When was the last time you boasted in God? Told someone else of the mercy you have received? It does not have to be a long, drown-out story, but can be as simply as just expressing something He recently did for you. Keep it simple, but commit right now to look for an opportunity to boast in Him today. Then ask the Spirit to help you do it today, and repeat that every day, until it becomes a way of life. Hardly anything will please Him more than for you to make much of Him.

I Humbly Responded

But as if His unmerited mercy in our lives was not enough, these last two lines take things to an entirely different level. What is God’s pleasure? What brings Him the greatest delight? Our finding our joy in Him!

This is Thy pleasure:
that Thou art my joy.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV

What is God’s pleasure? That I find my joy in Him. How amazing is that? Our greatest joy, fullness of joy, is found only in His presence, at His right hand forever, and His pleasure is our discovering and living in that. Hallelujah!

Is your life the equivalent of a hallelujah to God? Is it obvious to others you find your greatest delight in God? Do you seek out ways to bring Him praise?

To find eternal joy in God is the greatest blessing this life affords. What is more, it is difficult for us to fathom that there is nothing that gives God greater pleasure than for us to find that joy. Marvel at that incredible mystery again today and rest in it, in Him.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about that incredible truth. God takes great delight in you finding delight in Him. It creates a positive feedback loop that can change your perspective and ultimately your entire life. Even if it has to start small, get your hallelujah started today.

Father, thank You for finding delight in my delight in You. Help me to boast in you today and everyday, until it becomes a way of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Yet in thy mercy, how pleasing thou find’st me –https://pixabay.com/photos/rays-wonder-sun-light-wonderful-2464986/
This is Thy pleasure: that Thou art my joy – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-girl-freedom-happy-sun-591576/

I could not love Thee,
so blind and unfeeling;
Covenant promises
fell not to me.
Then without warning,
desire, or deserving,
I found my Treasure,
my pleasure, in Thee.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

God Took Initiative

The last half of this stanza reminds me of the words of a song I learned several years ago.

You did not wait for me to draw near to You
but You clothed yourself with frail humanity
You did not wait for me to cry out to You
but You let me hear Your voice calling me “Forever Grateful” by Mark Altrogge

It expresses in a very descriptive way the incredible reality that God took the initiative to deal with our separation from Him. Before we could even become aware of our need for a Savior, and certainly long before we even cared, Jesus made the way for us to have a restored relationship to the Father. We did not deserve it, or even desire it, yet without warning God stepped into time and space and changed everything.

Then without warning,
desire, or deserving,

For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28 ESV

He shed His blood on the cross and established a new covenant for all those who place their trust in Him.  They placed the crown of thorns on His head and nailed Him to the tree, but only so that He could accomplish redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Every single one of us was in the same hopeless position until His cross.

RESONATE!
Ponder that for a few moments. Before you desired redemption, before you could have attempted to earn it, even before you realized you eve n needed it, He provided. He took the initiative in redemption. Think about that, and then take a few moments to express Your gratitude to Jesus for His initiative. 

I Humbly Responded

After purchasing our redemption on the cross, Jesus then revealed it to us, and gave us the faith to respond. How kind! The chorus of “Forever Grateful” delineates the only appropriate response to what Jesus did for us.

And I’m forever grateful, Lord, to You.
And I’m forever grateful for the cross.
And I’m forever grateful to You
That You came to seek and save the lost.

Eternal gratitude. That’s it. Finding in Christ an unspeakable Treasure, and joys forevermore.

I found my Treasure,
my pleasure, in Thee.

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1:4 ESV

Not only can we now draw near but we are changed at our very core to be characterized by the nature of God. That allows us to escape the corruption that plagues the world due to sinful desire. What an incredible promise! Oh for the grace to live it out today and every day for the rest of eternity!

He has become our Treasure and our pleasure. How? Simply by inviting us into His life through His death and resurrection. Are you pursuing a soul-satisfying relationship with Jesus or are other things distracting You?

RESONATE!
Is it easy to become distracted by things that are lessor treasures than knowing Jesus and living for Him. Ask Him today to help you see Him for the Treasure He is. That is the beginning. Then follow it up by asking Him to help you live it out today. 

Father, thank You for expressing Your faithfulness by initiating redemption. How kind of You to do that. Give me the faith every day to respond in a way that brings glory to Your name and reveals Your faithfulness through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Then Without Warning, Desire or Deserving – https://pixabay.com/photos/thorn-crown-nails-jesus-christ-4265860/
I Found My Treasure, My Pleasure in Thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-gospel-bible-3279880/