For me it was in the garden
He prayed not My will but Thine
He had no tears for His own griefs
But sweat drops of blood for mine

My Savior’s Love 1905
By: Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)

Listen to this modern acapella version of this 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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue our journey through this wonder-filled hymn take an assessment of the level of wonder and amazement which characterizes your relationship with Jesus. We all have room to grow in response to His love for us. Let’s tune our hearts.

Garden of Grief

Gardens tend to be places of rest and beauty. Gethsemane was anything but that for Jesus.

He was determined to put the marvelous, wonderful love of God on display on the cross. He was resolved to do the will of the Father, even though that meant He would die. The place of surrender would be be among the olive trees.

He knew He would be offering His life for us, but He did not do it because we were worth the sacrifice. He did it because that act of obedience would not only create a path for us to heaven, but bring the greatest possible glory to His Father. He was resigned to do that no matter the cost.

For me it was in the garden

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36 ESV

Jesus knew what was coming. Judgment, and the satisfaction of the price for sin. He had come in the flesh to pay that penalty, and had come to the garden to pray for the strength to endure it. He had no price of His own to pay for He was perfect, but willingly paid for ours.

He went to the garden in anguish to prepare privately for the public ordeal that was about to unfold. He withdrew to collect His strength as He prepared to do the Father’s will. Do you have a quiet place where you can go to prepare personally for the public moments?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider how Jesus approached the most difficult moments of eternity. How will you prepare for yours and where will you go? Make this your simple prayer “Savior, teach me to prepare to obey. ” 

Petition of Pity

During His earthly ministry Jesus prayed some powerful prayers.

That we would be one. John 17:21
That the Father’s name would be hallowed. Matthew 6:9
That the church would be sanctified. John 17:17

But the prayer that arguably accomplished the most for us was this prayer in the garden when He surrendered to God’s will.

He prayed not My will but Thine

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 ESV

He went to the garden to pray for the cup to pass. What cup? The cup of judgment that had to be consumed for us to know the love of God. He asked His Father to let it pass from Him, but was willing to surrender to the Father’s will if it could not. Of course it couldn’t, so He drank it.

What an incredible lesson Jesus teaches us here. His will was for the cup to pass. He did not want to drink it. Did you catch that? There are things God will ask you to do that you would rather pass. It was true for Jesus and will be true for you. Pray for God’s will, not your own.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and thank Jesus for surrendering to the Father’s will. Ask Him to help you learn to do the same. Learn that path to surrender by praying a simple prayer like this one, “Father, not my will but Yours be done.“  

Jesus, thank You surrendering to the Father’s will. If you had not, we would never be able to find peace with God.  Thank You for showing us the path to surrender. In Jesus’ name. 

Surrendered 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 48.2 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.

For me it was in the garden
He prayed not My will but Thine
He had no tears for His own griefs
But sweat drops of blood for mine

He went to the garden in anguish to prepare privately for the public ordeal that was about to unfold. He withdrew to collect His strength as He prepared to do the Father’s will. Do you have a quiet place where you can go to prepare personally for the public moments? 

Savior, teach me to prepare to obey. 

What an incredible lesson Jesus teaches us here. His will was for the cup to pass. He did not want to drink it. Did you catch that? There are things God will ask you to do that you would rather pass. It was true for Jesus and will be true for you. Pray for God’s will, not your own.

Father, not my will but Yours be done.

It seems very reasonable that Jesus would not only have cried out in prayer from the sheer pressure of this event, but would have shed tears in the process. Even so, He was not feeling sorry for Himself, but being crushed under the incredible weight of becoming sin for us.

Jesus, thank You for bearing my grief.

I can not fathom this. Was He mentally processing the events unfolding? Was He emotionally anticipating the separation from the Father that eternally had never occurred? Was He spiritually grappling with salvation’s cost? Yes, and all the while physically sweating blood.

Lord, be glorified for Your marvelous 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.

How marvelous how wonderful
And my song shall ever be
How marvelous how wonderful
Is my Saviour’s love for me

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 Do You Have a Place to Practice Surrender? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
For me it was in the garden – ​​https://www.paintedchrist.com/painted-christ-speed-painting-store/jesus-christ-praying-garden-of-gethsemane
He prayed not My will but Thine – https://www.shannonsvesely.com/2019/04/17/the-sanctuary-of-gethsemane/

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me
A sinner condemned unclean

My Savior’s Love 1905
By: Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)

Listen to this modern acapella version of this 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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we begin our journey through this wonder-filled hymn take an assessment of the level of wonder and amazement character your relationship with Jesus. We all have room to grow in response to His love for us. Let’s tune our hearts.

Aware of His Nearness

Every follower of Jesus longs for the day when we will finally see him face-to-face. Even still, there are moments when Jesus reveals something of Himself to us. He reminds us we are accepted. He overwhelms us with peace in the midst of a storm. He quiets our souls. We become keenly aware of His presence, though we may not even know how, and we are generally surprised, amazed that Jesus would overwhelm us with Himself.

In those moments, we also experience a awakening to something God wants to do in our lives. It reminds us of the new thing He did in redeeming us, even as He welcomes us into the next, greater expression of our redemption. When that happens we can sing with the hymn-writer…

I stand amazed in the presence

 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:5-6 ESV 

Paul was certainly surprised to find Himself in the presence of Jesus. So surprised he had to ask who Jesus was, even though He acknowledged Him as Lord. Paul was on his way to persecute the church when Jesus revealed Himself and redirected Paul’s life. Jesus has been redirecting lives for millennia and He wants to do it today. How might Jesus be revealing Himself and redirecting your life today?

When was the last time you were aware of the presence of Jesus? Where were you? Maybe you were reading Scripture. Maybe singing a song. Maybe He reminded you of His great love in some other way. Whatever is was, it probably took your breath away. Thank Him for that. And for the breath He gave for the next part of the journey.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on your latest encounter with Jesus. Those moments change us as Jesus invites us into more. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, thank You for revealing Your presence.” 

Associated with His Lowness

Ever feel unimportant? Insignificant in the eyes of others? Living an existence that seems inconsequential?

We all struggle with these thoughts on some level at some point. Surprisingly, Jesus can empathize with those feelings, not because it was true, but surely as a result of the way people regarded him because of where He grew up. He was from Nazareth, a little regarded place in the eyes of most of His contemporaries.

God had a purpose in that part of the story. He has a purpose for your life as well. He wants you to know He will come to you in your lowest moments.

Of Jesus the Nazarene

And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:23 ESV

From Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus, to the angel redirecting Joseph out of Egypt to Nazareth in Galilee, God had a plan. God has a plan for your life as well. It may not involve heavenly visions or angel visitations but it still has divine purpose. How will you respond?

Jesus being called a Nazarene indicates He was fulfilling prophecies, not only because He came from a place of little repute but also because He was the sprout of Jesse from Isaiah 11:1. This reminds us of His roots and His purpose. He came to deliver us. Amazed yet?

RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider the parts of your life others may regard with disdain. Jesus knows those tings about you and still He loves you. Though you may be inclined to flee from the glory of His presence, instead commit to standing in it by praying a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, help me stand amazed.“  

Jesus, thank You humbling Yourself. That willingness creates the opportunity for me to humble myself in Your presence. Though I my kneel before You as well, help me to stand amazed in Your presence. In Jesus’ name. 

Vindicated 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 48.1 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.

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me
A sinner condemned unclean

When was the last time you were aware of the presence of Jesus? Where were you? Maybe you were reading Scripture. Maybe singing a song. Maybe He reminded you of HIs great love in some other way. Whatever is was it took your breath away. Thank Him for that.

Jesus, thank You for revealing Your presence.

Jesus being called a Nazarene indicates He was fulfilling prophecies, not only because He came from a place of little repute but also because He was the sprout of Jesse from Isaiah 11:1. This reminds us of His roots and His purpose. He came to deliver us. Amazed yet?

Jesus, help me stand amazed.

He loves you. When was the last time you meditated on that simple truth? Why not do it right now? Think of who He is. Think of who you are. Think of His great love for you. Think about it. Just quiet yourself and think about that life-altering truth. Jesus love you.

Jesus, fill me with wonder at Your love.

That is you. You have sinned. That sin has left you condemned in the eyes of a holy God. That sin has left you unclean, hopeless of washing yourself so you can appear before Him. So He made a way for you to be acquitted and purified through the sacrifice of His Son. Amazing!

Father, thank You for offering Jesus in my place.

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 the refrain..

How marvelous how wonderful
And my song shall ever be
How marvelous how wonderful
Is my Saviour’s love for me

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 Cultivate Amazement? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
I stand amazed in the presence – https://pixabay.com/photos/worship-god-jesus-faith-cross-2721716/
Of Jesus the Nazarene – https://havenlight.com/products/merciful-savior-by-jared-barnes

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 46.6 Transcript, 23.5 REFRAMED

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 REPOST 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 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/

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 46.5 Transcript, 23.3 Reframed

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? REPOST 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/