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 video below.

Below is video 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 video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Coming

The key is His presence.

This entire text is a two-fold invitation. The first invitation is to God, to come and reveal Himself as all we need for every malady that besets us. The second invitation is to the listener, in this opening stanza the captive, to come and rejoice since God is coming into each of those maladies as the solution. It has both the vertical and horizontal dimension of worship in each stanza and refrain and so encourages us to embrace the tension of a people between two realities, wanting to be with God while waiting for His appearing.

It is a perfect Advent text. Advent means coming. He is coming. This text welcomes Him and encourages the listener to rejoice even as we wait.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV

Foretold in Isaiah and fulfilled in Matthew, Israel was waiting for the appearing of the anointed One, the Messiah, who would deliver them. We long for His second coming while we wait for deliverance as well. There was an obvious tension in their waiting.  There is a similar tension in ours.

As Israel longed for the first coming of Emmanuel, so do we for His second. This opening line is the invitation to Him to be “God with us” and the other stanzas will offer different names which reveal different realities of who He is and the needs each fulfills. As you sing this and other Christmas carols, allow the undercurrent to be your asking Jesus to come to you again in this season when we celebrate His first coming.

RESONATE!
What are you really longing for? Jesus’ return, or something else. This plaintive cry simplifies all our smaller longings into one great one: the presence of God.  Ask Emmanuel to reveal what you are really longing for. Then place that longing within the context of this overarching one. O come Emmanuel.

Freeing

The bars are formed by a lack of awareness of His presence. It asks the question, “Is God with us?”

We begin to understand the ancient cry for Emmanuel as we look deeper into this stanza and the reality it portrays. Israel is crying out for a redeemer, a deliverer, a rescuer. Emmanuel is all that and more.

But it is not only Israel who needs a redeemer, is it? Much of this text has double meaning. One that resonates with the soul of those who are waiting for the coming of the Messiah, and another with those who await His return. Both are equally correct. Israel was captive by oppressors and we by the oppression of sin.

And ransom captive Israel

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:10 ESV

Having been exiled from the city of God for their sins, the people of Israel felt the distance which separated them from Him. As God’s people in this age, we often fail to acknowledge the spiritual distance caused by our disobedience. We need to be honest with God. Such honesty opens the possibility of that we will join the rejoicing of those who have been set free from captivity.

As Israel was captive by their own rebellious choices, so were we. Having surrendered our lives to God we have been set free from the consequences of our sin, yet sometimes we choose to return to them. It seems silly to think we would, but each of us knows how true that is. Acknowledging our captivity is the first step toward being set free.

RESONATE!
Are you aware of any captivity in your heart? Are there things which tempt you back to old patterns of living where new ones should have been cultivated? Ask the Spirit to reveal any thoughts or behaviors which have captivated you. Confess them to Him and prepare to join the rejoicing that marks the lives of those who know they have been set free.

Jesus, come to me anew. Spirit, reveal any captivating thoughts.

Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us. Your presence in our midst changes everything. Yet sometimes we are tempted to return to old patterns, or fail to truly believe we have actually been set free. Give us reasons to rejoice again today as we embrace the freedom. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Liberated Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 24.1 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

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

As Israel longed for the first coming of Emmanuel, so do we for His second. This opening line is the invitation to Him to be “God with us” and the other stanzas will offer different ones. Ask Jesus to come to you again in this season when we celebrate His first coming.

Jesus, come to me anew.

As Israel was captive by their own rebellious choices, so were we. Having surrendered our lives to God we have been set free from the consequences of our sin, yet sometimes we choose to return to them. Ask the Spirit to reveal any thoughts or actions that are captivating you.

Spirit, reveal any captivating thoughts.

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. Mourn any separation from Him, and allow that grief to motivate you to repentance as you turn back to God.

Father, I turn away from sin and to you today.

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. Prepare yourself in this season to respond to His coming to you, and ready yourself to rejoice.

Jesus, help me prepare to rejoice at Your coming.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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

The post Be Freed By His Captivating Presence appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – https://pixabay.com/vectors/key-vintage-key-lock-old-antique-2824086/
And Ransom Captive Israel – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fence-prison-deprivation-of-liberty-1986479/

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

Below is video 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 video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Enduring

I long to come to the end of my days with a peace that has endured. To arrive at the sunset of my life, through its many difficulties with the experiential knowledge of God’s peace that lasted. How about you?

When I think of something enduring it brings to mind not only that it simply lasts a while, but also that it remains even though assailed. One of the expressions of the faithfulness of our God is His imparting peace to us that continues through the most challenging of times. For me that peace hinges on the first blessing that is mentioned in the list that makes up this final stanza: pardon.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 ESV

This incredible list of expressions of God’s faithfulness starts off where it must, pardon for sin. Once that account is settled, everything else flows from there, starting with the peace it ushers into our souls. These twin blessings belong to everyone who turns to the Lord and receives His compassion.

He is willing to abundantly pardon, but we must do our part to create that scenario. Did you see turning involved? We must forsake our ways and return to God’s.

When we do the Lord has already promised what His response will be: compassion. He will abundantly pardon. Not just pardon, abundantly pardon.

So are you tempted to think that maybe you have done too much, that God probably will not pardon you. Well, you are wrong. Forsake your way, turn to God, and receive His pardon and the peace that endures all things.  

God, I praise You for pardon and peace.

RESONATE!
Is there anything you need to turn from today, even any thoughts, so you can find rest in Jesus? Allow the Spirit to bring anything to mind. Simply confess it to God, commit to turn from it and return to His ways. Then give Him praise for these two remarkable “p”’s, pardon and peace. 

Presence

As you are going along the wearisome journey that is life in this fallen world, it is good to have a companion. If you fall down or fail, they can help you back up and encourage you to move forward. If you are struggling, they can help. If you are lost or confused, they can ofter perspective for your path.

God is a companion like no other.

Consider the image here. How much easier is it to overcome a challenge when you have a helping hand along the way, especially those last few steps which can seem the most difficult of all?

Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

That is an incredible series of promises all of which flow from the presence of God. Presence, salvation, encouragement, consolation, and singing. Can you imagine God singing over you? Well, He does and He is!

Having received the pardon and peace of God we must learn to walk in it, in His presence. He encourages our hearts, quiets us with His love, and rejoices over us, but we must be willing to listen. When was the last time you truly listened for God?

God’s presence is truly what makes the difference in every circumstance. When we are down and discouraged, His presence brightens even the darkest times. When we are lost or confused, His presence directs us to His path. How unfortunate we do not take the time to learn how to listen for the voice that reminds us of His presence. Will you take a few moments to listen right now?

RESONATE!
Welcome God simply by acknowledging that He is with You. Ask Him to take captive all the thoughts and voices that clamor for your attention. Ask Him to show you where you may need saving today, from self or sin. Ask Him to help you feel His gladness, and quiet you with His love. Then quiet yourself in His presence right now, and listen for His rejoicing.

Mighty God, thank You for the blessings of pardon and peace. Thank Your cheering and guiding with Your presence. You have been so faithful to me, even though I did not deserve it. Help me respond to that faithfulness today in whatever way will most honor You. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Enduring Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 23.5 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

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.

This incredible list of expressions of God’s faithfulness starts off where it must, pardon for sin. Once that account is settled, everything else flows from there, starting with the peace it ushers into our souls. Praise God for these two remarkable “p”’s, pardon and peace.

God, I praise You for pardon and peace.

God’s presence is truly what makes the difference in every circumstance. When we are down and discouraged, His presence brightens even the darkest times. When we are lost or confused, His presence directs us to His path. Thank Jesus for His presence.

Jesus, thank You for Your presence.

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.

This is such a great line. All these blessings 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.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post Learning to Walk in God’s Enduring Presence appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Pardon for Sin and a Peace that Endureth – https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-tree-silhouette-dusk-lonely-3156176/
Thy Own Dear Presence to Cheer and to Guide – https://pixabay.com/photos/adventure-height-climbing-mountain-1807524/

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

Below is video 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 video, and the transcript below.

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 tune our hearts.

Turkish Delight

If something has “delight” in its name, you would immediately be led to believe it is probably pretty, well….delightful right?

I think I first heard of Turkish Delight when I read “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” as a child. Edmund had found his way through a wardrobe into an enchanted snow-blanketed wood when along came a horse-drawn carriage. I could not understand how he would be so easily lured into it by a confection, but pleasure can be like that, a little irrational.

For those unfamiliar with Edmund’s favorite sweet, Turkish Delight (or Lokum) is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios, hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; traditional varieties are often flavored with rosewater, mastic, Bergamot orange, or lemon. Though that all sounds very good, Edmund’s response to the offer of it from the White Witch still did not make sense to me.

There is a sense in which the opening lines of this stanza may have the same effect on some, albeit with the opposite effect. There is nothing in me that delights God? Is He like a fickle child, waiting for the right combination of starch and sugar to come galloping by?

Hardly. But it does reveal a few things about our understanding of our pleasure and God’s. This stanza does two things. It reminds us of our inability to please God, and of His desire to change that.

I have no merit
to woo or delight Thee,

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8 ESV

Though we do not like to admit our utter depravity, we must remember that to do so makes even more of the faithfulness of God. There was nothing in us that deserved the grace He has poured out on us, and until He did we could not please Him, not in the least. There are simply not enough pistachios and walnuts in the world to change our standing before God. Until there is more to us than the flesh, we simply can not please Him.

Fortunately for us, that is not the end of the story.

To woo is to gain the love of someone. To delight is to please someone greatly. There is nothing in me that can evoke either of these feelings in the heart of my God. While that is a sad reality it is important to acknowledge and in so doing highlight His mercy.

I do think it is important to notice the sequence. I can not gain His love. I cannot even please Him greatly. Yet, that is the word that starts the second half of this stanza and explains the difference God made in our dire circumstance, and how. We will go there on in our next Thursday Thoughts, but first we must examine a few other areas we may be inclined to think could be used to incline God’s affection toward us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

RESONATE!
The beginning of intimacy with God starts with honesty. We must acknowledge before God, confess or agree with Him about our helpless, hopeless condition. We could not make Him love us, or even please Him greatly, while we operated solely in our flesh. Take a moment to thank Him for revealing this to you, for until you saw this clearly, you simply were not able to please Him. 

I Have No…

This acknowledgement reminds me of a line from another of my favorite stories, “The Lord of the Rings”. The wizard Gandalf  is leading the little party through the mines of Moria and comes to a fork in the road. He had studied and memorized many things that had gotten them this far but at this moment he humbly confesses, “I have no memory of this place.” How many travelers would benefit from their leader doing the same?

Gandalf the Gray knew many things, but he also knew his limitations. His followers benefitted from that many times. We would benefit from the same humble acknowledgement.

Gandalf ends up being called Gandalf the Wise, and there is only one way for us to earn the same moniker.

I have no wisdom
or pow’rs to employ;

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, Jeremiah 9:23 ESV

We may have some abilities, all having come to us from the gracious hand of God, yet none of them are enough to overcome the separation caused by our sin. We could fashion no way back to Him. Why would we even try?

There is a way for us to enjoy the faithfulness of God, but it hinges on our willingness to acknowledge we have no memory of how to do so, and no power to bridge the chasm between us. You can fill in the sentence with any other number of things, “I have no….”, but they are still only part of the equation. We will examine the most important part, God’s contribution, in the latter half of the stanza.

RESONATE!
Thank God for the gifts of wisdom and power and whatever else He has given you. There are expressions of His kindness to you. But then thank Him for the revelation they were not enough to redeem you. Thank Him for the ability to acknowledge your shortcomings, but most of all for the knowledge of Him.

Father, thank You for all the things You have deposited into my life, the way You have fashioned me. Thank You for the humility to confess even they would never be enough to earn your love or affection. Thank You most of all for the knowledge of Your faithfulness revealed to me by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Humble Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 23.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

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. 

To woo, to gain the love of someone. To delight, to please someone greatly. There is nothing in me that can evoke either of these feelings in the heart of my God. While that is a sad reality it is important to acknowledge and in so doing highlight His mercy. Acknowledge your lack of merit.

God, I confess I have nothing to merit your affection.

We may have some abilities, all having come to us from the gracious hand of God, yet none of them are enough to overcome the separation caused by our sin. We could fashion no way back to Him. Thank Him for those gifts and the revelation they were not enough to redeem you.

Lord, thank You my capacities, but most of all for the knowledge of you.

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. Make your boast in Him today, then repeat that every day, for eternity. 

Spirit, help me boast in God today, and forever.

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.

Jesus, thank You for the joy I have in You, and the pleasure it is to You.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post Whoa! No Merit to Woo? Nope. appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
I Have No Merit to Woo or Delight Thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/turkish-delight-süßigkeit-meals-5034986/
I Have No Wisdom or Powers to Employ – https://pixabay.com/photos/wizard-gandalf-lego-magic-sorcerer-2021410/

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

Below is video 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 video, and the transcript below.

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 tune our hearts.

Unloving

There are any number of things that can impair our ability to discern the faithfulness of God. It can be challenging for us to see it plainly in a normal year, but one marked by a pandemic and social unrest certainly adds to the the difficulty. The pains and problems of our lives can cover or cloud God’s work in us in the midst of them.

This struggle is real for those who have found rest with God, but especially for those who have not. The former may struggle to see and feel it, but the latter simply can not. Until that moment of surrender and the epiphany which follows, we lack the capacity to fathom the work and wonder of the Lord.

Can you recall what that was like? The before, as well as the after? The writer refers to our state before God as blind and unfeeling. Sounds about right to me.

I could not love Thee,
so blind and unfeeling;

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. Romans 3:10-11 ESV

It is both painful and needful to acknowledge this reality. We were blind and cold toward God, so was our disposition in sin. We could not love Him, nor did we care to. We must acknowledge this in order to receive by grace His faithfulness to us. Have you done so? If not, take a few moments below to walk through that confession.

If you have done that before, rekindle that flame. It is hard to admit that not only did we not love God, but we possessed no capacity to do so until He gave it to us. We were incapable of seeing or feeling His love. That is our state apart from Him. It is important to remember that sometime.

RESONATE!
We must start with that humble confession. If you have never acknowledged your desperate need for God and how separated you were from Him do it today. Your desire to do so alone is evidence of His work in you for you could not ever seek Him on your own. If you have acknowledged that before take a moment to recall what feeling was like by simply asking Him, “Lord, help me recall my helpless state apart from You.” We will address that feeling or lack thereof as we go through this stanza.

But Not Unloved

My lack of capacity to love God was solely based on my lack of knowledge that He had first loved me. How kind of Him to reveal that love to me, and in that moment also the capacity to respond to it. Until then I did not even realize what I was missing.

Covenant promises
fell not to me.

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

Our sin had separated us from God and accordingly all the promises that He offers to those who believe and place their faith in the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son. You too were once outside of this covenant, outside of His glory.

Hopeless. We were hopeless before God made His promises known to us. Oh, we may have tried to find some hope in our abilities or resources, but true, lasting and eternal hope was unattainable. Can you remember what it felt like to only have the fleeting hope of this life?

He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to create a path of faith. A path that leads us into a place where His promises fall on us. That place is a place of hope and rest.

RESONATE!
Again take a moment to allow the Spirit to remind you the feeling of this life’s fleeting hope. Then ask Him to show you anew eternity’s lasting hope. Finally, thank Him for revealing that hope to you.

Spirit, thank You for Your work in opening my blind eyes and warming my soul to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ alone. Help me to walk in that hope everyday, and use me to help others see it and feel it as you work through me. I want as many as possible to see and feel what You have shown to me.  In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Grateful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 23.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

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.

It is hard to admit that not only did we not love God, but we possessed no capacity to do so until He gave it to us. We were incapable of seeing or feeling His love. That is our state apart from Him. Take a moment to recall what that was like.

Lord, help me recall my helpless state apart from You.

Hopeless. We were hopeless before God made His promises known to us. Oh, we may have tried to find some hope in our abilities or resources, but true, lasting and  eternal hope was unattainable. Can you remember what it felt like to only have the fleeting hope of this life?

Spirit, remind me of the feeling of this life’s fleeting hope.

Before we could even become aware of how desperate our situation was Jesus made a way for us to receive His great and precious promises. We had not desired them and certainly did not deserve them yet He offered. Thank Him for taking the initiative in redemption.

Jesus, thank You for initiating redemption.

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? Ask Him today to help you see Him for the Treasure He is.

God, help me see You for the Treasure You are.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post Can You See God’s Faithfulness? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
I Could Not Thee So Blind and Unfeeling – https://pixabay.com/photos/coronavirus-mask-corona-virus-5154115/
Covenant Promises Fell Not To Me – https://pixabay.com/photos/bible-hand-designate-read-1089968/

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest
Sun moon and stars
In their courses above
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love 

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

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

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Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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 tune our hearts.

Cyclical Seasons

Do you have a favorite season?

Most people do. There are particular things about that season that just sets it apart, whether memories, activities, family celebrations or simply the weather itself. They are excited as it approaches and sad as it gives way to the next.

If you have lived in a place that has distinct seasons and you move to a place where they are more subtle, it can be disappointing. If you have lived in a place that has subtle seasonal changes and you more to a place where they are more severe, it can be shocking. I suppose at some level that makes your appreciation of seasonal changes subjective.

Either way, the seasons do change with great predictability, whether subtle or severe. Those changes, and the cycle they portray is a beautiful thing. The fresh starts of Spring, the heat of Summer, the crispness of Fall, and the deadness of Winter represent the very cycle of life: birth, maturity, aging, and death. God appointing a time for every purpose under heaven, whether for the earth as a whole or an individual life.

The hymn evokes this imagery in these opening words.

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest

You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter. Psalm 74:17 ESV

I love the seasons and how they remind us that things change, but God does not. Reigning in faithfulness over all that He has made He demonstrates His faithfulness through their cycle. As surely as one ends another begins. He made them just like He fixed all the laws that govern His creation.

 

 

RESONATE!
Take a moment to look around and  allow the season you are in now to speak of the faithfulness of God. If the season you are in is making it difficult to do that, identify why that is. What is happening in your life in this season that God wants to use to prompt your praise? Even if you are in a rough spot and it seems like nothing is changing, take some encouragement from the seasons and rest in the fact that things will change, because God has built that rhythm into the fabric of this life. Thank Him through changing seasons you can praise Him for His changeless character.

Celestial Spheres

Looking around gives us the perspective that things are changing as the days pass, even though those changes may only be visible day to day on a very small scale. Looking up can give us a similar perspective of things changing, albeit a more expansive one. There is a rhythm to each.

As the seasons change, so does the orientation of the sphere we live on to those around us. The moon is the most obvious as it changes in appearance a little each day. The tilting of the earth on its axis causes seasonal changes as it effects our position relative to the sun, and even where we might find certain constellations in the night sky. Even so, day after day and night after night they are still there. Their rhythm is reliable when other things may seem to be anything but.

Sun moon and stars
In their courses above

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-4 ESV

Not to be outdone by the seasons, the celestial bodies get in on declaring God’s faithfulness as well. As surely as the sun sets it will rise again. This proclaims His handiwork and invites us to respond with our worship.

When was the last time you went outside at night to simply look up and marvel anew at God’s glory? All you see will be declaring it, and inviting you to do the same. It is easy to loose perspective by getting to accustomed to looking down, but you can change that today, or tonight rather.

Spirit, help me pour forth my earthly praise to join the heavenly.

RESONATE!
Step outside and look up. It is an awesome display of God’s faithfulness, whether you can locate the North Star or not. Marvel at God’s power on display in the heavenly bodies and ask the Spirit to help you pour forth praise to add to theirs. Maybe something here below the stars is keeping you from joining the celestial praise? Maybe a little star-gazing will lift you eyes and you spirit.  Try it. 

Father, thank You for the way you put your faithfulness on display through cyclical seasons and celestial spheres. There is a rhythm in each of them that speaks to order, design, and patterns. Help me to develop my own rhythm of responding to Your faithfulness through these teachers and any others.  In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Rhythmic Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 23.2 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest
Sun moon and stars
In their courses above
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love 

I love the seasons and how they remind us that things change, but God does not. Reigning in faithfulness over all that He has made He demonstrates His faithfulness through their cycle. What season are you in as you read? How is that prompting your praise today?

God, through changing seasons I praise You for Your changeless character.

Step outside and look up. All that you see is declaring the glory of God. Is something here below keeping you from joining the celestial praise? Marvel at God’s power on display in the heavenly bodies and ask the Spirit to help you pour forth praise to add to theirs.

Spirit, help me pour forth my earthly praise to join the heavenly.

Not only do seasons and stars declare His glory, but also all nature. Every created thing proclaims the handiwork of God, in many and various ways. You are a unique expression of that witness. How will you exercise that privilege today? Ask Jesus to help you.

Jesus, please show me how to use my life as a witness.

His love is steadfast. His mercy is unmerited. His faithfulness is great. All around there are constant expressions of these truths but we often fail to recognize them, which leaves us incapable of declaring them. Ask the Father to help you see them all around you today.

Father, show me Your faithfulness, mercy and love.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post Developing a Rhythm of Looking Around, and Up appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Summer and Winter and Springtime and Harvest – https://pixabay.com/photos/seasons-of-the-year-summer-autumn-1127760/
Sun, Moon and Stars in their Courses Above – https://pixabay.com/photos/space-planet-earth-orbit-sky-1201086/