Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  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.

We continue our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Ever had a friend forsake you? That is painful. But take heart, God never will.  Let’s think about this.

Ouch!

When someone you thought you could count on walks away, it hurts. When someone you thought was a friend turns their back on you, it really hurts. When it feels like every friend you have has forsaken you, it REALLY hurts!

If by earthly friends forsaken

Being abandoned or deserted is a terrible thing to experience. Not only do you have to deal with the betrayal, but then there’s isolation. Feeling very alone is awful, ask Paul.

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 2 Timothy 4:16 ESV

Wow! How about that response from Paul. I am not certain I could muster the courage or forgiveness to let all my earthly friends off the hook with such energy! The translation adds an exclamation point.

This is a sad story Paul tells, but we have all felt the sting of a friend forsaking us at one point or another. Some were no big deal, others have been exceedingly painful. What’s your story?

RESONATE!
We need others and we must share our lives, but when those we trust most are not there when we really need them it is the worst of all disappointments. We are going to consider how God wants us to respond to Him when earthly friends forsake us, but take a moment to reflect on how you have responded to those earthly friends first. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart for any hurt that has lingered. Ask Him to allow you to extend the same forgiveness Paul offered to those who deserted him. It may not mean you even restore the relationship, but carrying unforgiveness around really only hurts you.

Ahhhh!

When we feel the sting of being forsaken by earthly friends, we have the opportunity to embrace the balm of clinging all the more closely to heavenly ones. It comes down to where we find our primary source of encouragement and support, and that should always be in God. Think about this.

In response to some disappointment in an earthly friendship, you cling all the more to God. Over time, your grip and resolve weaken, like that of an infant, and you let go. In that moment you will discover God is still holding onto you, like an attentive parent, aware of every need and ready to supply.

There are times when we cling a little more to His unchanging hand because other things have failed us. But even the most determined of us loose our grip after awhile. Thankfully God never does.

Still more closely to Him cling.

You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 ESV

Oh He could let go, and that might cause you to fear, but He will not. It would be inconsistent with His character. We fear Him and serve Him, swear by His name and hold fast to Him, because He is faithful.

RESONATE!
What is causing you to cling more closely to Him today and in this season. COVID-19? Social injustice? An earthly friendship forsaken? All the defeats and disappointments in life are allowed by God to remind us that He is always there for us, and enough for every need. Tell Him again today that you are committed to cling to Him still more closely because He is the One changeless reality in life. Father, I am committed to cling to You.

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
Earthly Friends Forsaken – https://pixabay.com/photos/one-against-all-all-against-one-1744086/
Still More Closely – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-holding-bond-love-people-2545754/

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  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.

We begin our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. We must be careful to build on things that will last, so when the storms come, we have a sure foundation. How’s your foundation? Let’s think about this.

Intentional

Have you ever tried to build something and realized part way through that you lacked something essential? Maybe you started, and it became clear later that you were not at all sure the completed project was what you really needed. Or maybe when you finished, it was obvious you had wasted your time.

All these scenarios can be extremely disheartening. But there is a way to avoid them, at least to some extent. That requires a diligent intentionality to make sure the plan -from the beginning- is going to accomplish what is most important to you.

Build your hopes on things eternal,

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 ESV

Jesus teaches the truth we are singing in this line. We must be careful what our foundation is. If we build on things that last, like God’s eternal word, then we are wise builders, and our lives will be strong. Seems pretty obvious right? Still, many of us struggle to build on that foundation, though it is literally within our grasp to do so.

There are so many things that get in the way of our being routinely in God’s word. 

You can not build on eternal things if you do not know what they are. You can not know what they are if you are not in God’s word reading about them. You can not read God’s word if you do not open the book, or the app.

Reading them is only part of the battle, though. Once you read them, you need to ask God how to structure or build you life on them. The Holy Spirit is the best teacher, and He wants you to know God’s words so you can build your life on them.

RESONATE!
If you are not reading God’s word regularly, will you commit today to ask Him to help you plan and carve out time to do so? Just reading is not enough though. When was the last time you simply asked the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and give you understanding of God’s eternal word? Read a verse or a passage today, but first ask the Holy Spirit to bring it to life so you will know how to build on it. That exercise will give you hope.

Yet Childlike

Even when we do develop the intentional discipline of getting into God’s word and building our hopes on its truths, we must always maintain a childlike posture before Him. It can be tempting to oversimplify spiritual realities when we see a truth, build on it, and see the positive outcome. God’s ways are higher than ours and keeping a right perspective on how limited is our understanding is always healthy.

I love the picture here. We must choose to cling to our Father’s hand even when we begin to figure some things out because that humility will keep us out of trouble. It will keep us from running off into mischief. It will also limit how much we put our hands on because we are somewhat occupied simply with the thought of staying close to Him by not letting go.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 ESV

Does that image, that line, and this verse describe your relationship to God? If not, you are probably feeling the effects of that on your soul. While getting out of those messes is not easy, the first simple step is righting wherever we may be failing. Grab, hold, and cling to His unchanging hand today, whether you think you need to or not. It will uphold you when the weight of life is too much.

RESONATE!
Often our failure to cling to God can be traced to pride. We thought for a moment, or a decade, we could handle things. When we finally realized we were wrong, the humility required to reach for and hold to God can be sorely lacking. Will you receive the challenge of the song-writer and hold to God’s unchanging hand today? You may be very surprised to find He has been holding you all along.

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
Build Your Hopes – https://pixabay.com/photos/book-bible-religion-reading-study-2617987/
God’s Unchanging Hand – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-child-s-hand-hold-tight-1797401/

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It Is Well with My Soul (1873)

By: Horatio G. Spafford, (1828-1888)

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

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  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.

We continue our journey through one of the most beloved of all hymns, with one of the most poignant, yet inspiring, stories. If you do not know the story, you may watch more about it here. Jesus is our blessed hope and we find rest for our souls in Him and His promised return. Let’s think about this.

The Sound of the Trumpet of God

Trumpets are powerful instruments. Throughout Scripture we see them used to signal important moments and events, in both battle and worship. I am certain there is no coincidence there, but that is another blog for another day.

The voice of angels are often compared to the sound of a trumpet I believe because it is the instrument that seems to sound with utmost authority. It is clear and loud. That final trumpet that will call the dead in Christ to rise will certainly be that.

Think of it. A trumpet sounding so magnificently that it is heard by those long dead. The only appropriate response is that they will rise even before those who are alive in Christ. Remarkable! Why do you suppose that is? Maybe those living will be in shock or overwhelmed, but the dead in Christ will virtually be like, “That is the sound I have longed to hear!”

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

But not only that, the Lord Jesus Himself will descend at those moments. Wow! The dead in Christ rising to meet Jesus in the air will create the backdrop of our rising to meet Him as well. The hope of this spectacular promised and coming event is what allows our souls to be well, no matter what we have to face in this life.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV

RESONATE!
On Tuesday I asked what you are looking for? The same is true of your listening. Your mental preoccupation influences how you deal with your circumstances. If you are listening for something, if effects how you hear everything else. Are you listening for this incredible resounding of the trumpet. Undoubtedly, you will hear it either way, but if you are listening for it you will face everything differently. Take a few moments and sincerely ask, “Jesus, help me to be ever listening, watching and waiting for Your return.”

Really?

Even so, it is well with my soul.

Well I guess if you are ready it is. But what if you are not. The skies rolling back, the trumpet resounding, Jesus descending, the dead in Christ rising: even so, it is well with my soul. HOW!?!

Though it is hard to fathom what the events of His return will actually be like and how we will ultimately respond, we can choose to echo John’s words and desire to see Jesus’ come quickly. Why? Because it is well, and will forever be well, with our souls.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 ESV

What Jesus has already accomplished through the shedding of His blood creates the opportunity for our souls to be made well. His presence with us in all things allows our souls to remain well. And the revelation of how this will all end allows our souls to anticipate being well then also.

RESONATE!
Is it well with your soul? It can be! Right now, no matter what comes until His return, and when He finally does. If it is not well, ask Jesus to show you what is effecting your soul, and when He reveals it ask Him to help you deal with it so you can experience the wellness of soul Jesus offers to all who believe.

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
Trump Shall Resound – http://dedication.www3.50megs.com/rev_trumpets6a.html
The Lord Shall Descend – http://www.choosingjesuseveryday.com/2018/12/14/heaven-48/

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It Is Well with My Soul (1873)

By: Horatio G. Spafford, (1828-1888)

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

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  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.

We continue our journey through one of the most beloved of all hymns, with one of the most poignant, yet inspiring, stories. If you do not know the story, you may watch more about it here. Jesus is our blessed hope and we find rest for our souls in Him and His promised return. Let’s think about this.

Are You Listening?

We all long for wellness of soul. Jesus has promised it to us. So why does it seem so elusive?

Maybe we just need to listen better.

Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!

…we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51b-52 ESV

We are longing for that change, but the transformation we are longing for actually began the moment we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ. Sure, we are longing for the completion of the process, but we must also submit ourselves to it today. Part of that transformation occurs when we begin to tune our ears to listen for the sounding of the final trumpet and the voice of the Lord.

That singular focus keeps us from becoming discouraged when the events in our lives would seek to do so. How? Because it acknowledges we are longing for more, something beyond this earthly plane. 

What are you listening for? The timer on the microwave? The notification of a text message? The phone to ring for a job offer? The voice of someone long gone? The blast of the angelic trumpet? The voice of the Lord?

Those last two will mark the second most incredible moment in all of history, with the resurrection of Jesus Christ being the first. His return and the promised final transformation of all those who are in Christ. Are those what you are listening for?

RESONATE!
Do not overcomplicate it. Just ask Jesus to train your ears to listen for that trumpet blast and His voice. Then quiet yourself and let Him begin to tune your soul to resonate with that one passion. It will bring rest to your soul.

How Does Hope and Rest Sound?

You may think it is very quiet, but it may not be.

I began to learn years ago that peace is not the absence of conflict, peace is the presence of God. There may be chaos swirling around you, but you can still find peace. How? By learning to acknowledge the presence of God is every situation. I am still learning this incredible lesson, but I am so thankful for the journey that pursuit has taken me on.

When you look at this image what word comes to mind? Power? Majesty? Glory? ______? I wonder if it was peace?

See, when we cultivate the ability to hear God’s voice in the midst of the noise, now and forever, we are cultivating the very awareness that makes our souls well. When things are going poorly, He is our hope. When we just can not seem to find peace, He is our rest.

Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

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

Hope is the belief that you will receive something you do not yet possess. Rest is the calm that you will practice when you are trusting Jesus. But let’s be honest, nobody likes waiting, especially if your circumstance is painful and troubling. But we are waiting for something that is going to change the world as we know it, into the world for which we are longing.

RESONATE!
Maybe you need to learn to hope in Jesus in darkness. Maybe you need to learn to rest in Jesus in chaos. Thank Jesus for the rest His voice brings to your soul, and then ask Him to help you hope in His return.

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
Trump of the Angel – https://pixabay.com/photos/dresden-city-germany-angel-statue-63640/
Voice of the Lord – https://pixabay.com/photos/lightning-storm-weather-sky-3652193/

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It Is Well with My Soul (1873)

By: Horatio G. Spafford, (1828-1888)

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

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  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.

We continue our journey through one of the most beloved of all hymns, with one of the most poignant, yet inspiring, stories. If you do not know the story, you may watch more about it here. Jesus Christ has made wellness of soul available by becoming sin for us on the cross. Let’s think about this.

You Don’t have to Carry That Anymore

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

We sing a line like this, and I often wonder how many of us really believe it. Having served as a worship leader for years, I have even stopped a song or gone instrumental for a time to encourage people to allow such powerful truth to find its way past our ears and into our hearts. This changes everything.

• That load of guilt you continue to carry for something you did years ago, or something you left undone last week. You don’t have to carry that anymore.
• That weight of sin you continue to lug around because you think you need to somehow make amends to God.  You don’t have to carry that anymore.
• That burden of disappointment stemming from letting God down by not following through with some commitment. You don’t have to carry that anymore.

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

Don’t misunderstand me. Someone has to carry it, but fortunately for us, we don’t have to because Jesus did. Hallelujah! Sorry, I could not help myself.  We will get to the praise shortly, but first…

Is there something you have been carrying around with you? This is not normally one of those deep introspective moments. Most of us are aware of these things because we can sometimes not get them off our minds. Will you bring that care to Jesus and let Him carry it for you?

RESONATE!
Every sin we have ever committed in word, thought, and deed, the entire terrible record is nailed to the cross which satisfies the legal demands of the law. Some of them we simply struggle to let Him bear. Struggle no more. There is nothing He does not already know, and nothing He has not already borne for you. That is not the issue. The issue is simply believing He has done it. Name it right now, and then agree with the hymn writer. “_________” is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. 

Soul, Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Truly it is the only appropriate response for what Jesus did for us, yet still our fickle soul must be reminded at times. Our heart, mind, and strength echo these words of the Psalmist from Psalm 146:1. Instruct your soul to praise the name of Your Redeemer today and every day.

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Psalm 86:5 ESV

We instruct our soul to give Him praise because He is worthy. He is worthy because He is good and forgiving to all who call on Him. Call on Him today. What are you waiting for?

RESONATE!
Thank Him for bearing your sin. Bless Him for His selfless sacrifice. Call on Him to deliver you from yourself. Praise Him for forgiveness. Start with the words from Psalm 86:5 above, and then let the Holy Spirit give words to your heart-cry to God.

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
Nailed to the Cross – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-nail-christ-jesus-faith-1375765/
Bear It No More – https://pixabay.com/photos/boxes-cardboard-carrying-overload-2624231/
Free to Praise – https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-hands-freedom-worship-man-4661763/