When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

Listen to this version featuring Mahalia Jackson as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here, or for the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

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 great gospel song which voices our desire to have God take our hand. We all face depressing times in our lives, times when we need help to make it through, and our precious Lord offers that help. Let’s tune our hearts.

Lovely Sunsets

I love sunsets. Not only are they often breathtakingly beautiful reminders of our God’s infinite creativity, but they also signal the end of what has often been a long, busy day and that rest is coming. When you have finished your labor for the day, the break of night is a welcome friend. But there is something else.

They also signal the imminent approach of darkness. That can be scary if you are not prepared for it, right? Imagine yourself alone in a remote part the woods and the batteries in your flashlight are failing. Or you are in a strange part of an unfamiliar town and the roads seem abandoned and just a little spooky. You can create your own scenario, but you get the idea.

Death can be viewed in both respects as well.

If you have completed your labors and are at rest with the living you have done in the eyes of God, the promised rest you are about to enjoy can be welcomed with peace and gladness. It may hold some uncertainty for the newness of that part of your journey, but you receive it gladly because of all that God has told us is in store for all His saints.

If you have a sense some things are unfinished and are not at rest with God, the approach of death can be fearful. The uncertainty can be overwhelming when you are not confident you are prepared for it. But that can be easily settled, friend.

Simply give glory to God for the light of knowledge of Him revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. Turn your trust from your labors to His. Find rest in Him and His finished work. And let Him lead you through the darkness of death’s door into the light of eternity. What a beautiful picture!

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,

Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness. Jeremiah 13:16 ESV

RESONATE!
Whether you are facing some darkness right now or the final, great darkness at the end of life, God can lead you through it. Bring your fear and uncertainty to Him, and allow Him to gently take your hand and guide you through it. He is so kind in His leading that if you will simply surrender to Him, a peace will be yours not matter what darkness you are facing, and you can trust that even should you stumble, He will keep you safe. Take a few moments and ask the Father to give you His perspective on your present darkness as you place your hand in His again.

Final Stanzas

A common characteristic of many of the great hymns is a dealing with the reality of life beyond this temporal plane. Whether they speak of the transition or simply the hope that is ours in Christ for eternity, they often go there. This gospel song is no exception.

It gives us hope, as we live our final stanza, that the darkness we face is not the end of it all, simply the end of this part of our sojourn. What an incredible promise it reminds us of as it points us to all that our precious Lord has in store for us beyond this life. So incredible is it that our passing from this life to the next through death is actually precious in His sight.

And the day is past and gone,

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 ESV

Allow me to make this personal. My father died last March. I had often thought of this verse and shared it as I served families at funerals for their loved ones. It gives us the Lord’s perspective on the death of his saints, which is so important as we are grieving.

Precious was on my mind and in my heart, and flowed in and out of my soul as my feelings overwhelmed me at times in those days following his passing. Other words like painful, sad, and peaceful ebbed in and out as well as I processed this heart-wrenching loss, but I kept coming back to this word, precious.

You see, the “day” of my dad’s life was past and gone. Dealing with that for those of us who remain requires a grieving process, but for not for Him, and certainly not for our Lord. His passing was precious because God welcomed Him into His eternal dwelling. This is an incredible truth that effects the way we approach death ourselves and process it for and with others.

I am grateful to God for His promise and perspective, and the way it has helped me grieve my dad’s passing. I hope you can find some rest in that promise today for yourself and those in the Lord you may have already lost. Peace be yours today and whenever your final stanza is written.

 

RESONATE!
Are you approaching death with the confidence that yours will be precious in the Lord’s sight. Your final stanza has already been written, and it is precious to God. Ask Him for the perspective to see it as such and draw peace from it today for your journey and as you grieve the loss of your loved ones who have gone on to their eternal rest before you.

Jesus, thank You for eternal perspective. Help me to develop mine today, by giving me a bit of yours for my journey and the particularly the final stanza. I want to approach that with the peace only You provide. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Peaceful 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 20.3 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.

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Without question, we all face dark nights in our souls. The question is how will we choose to deal with them. What are you facing in this season that may be casting a shadow over your soul? If you know, ask God for help dealing with it. If you don’t know, ask Him to reveal it.

God, help me to deal with my darkness or reveal it.

Now we approach that moment when we close our eyes the last time and the end of life as we know it approaches. That day is coming for every one of us. If you have walked with Jesus, you will be able to trust Him to guide you. Are you ready for the end of your journey?

Jesus, help me prepare for the end of my journey.

The river here marks the passage from this life to the next. Whether we walk over on dry ground or on top of the water matters not, only Who holds our hand. Ask God to take your hand today, then rest in the fact He will never let go, come what may.

God, take my hand.

And here we are once more asking Him to take our hand. I think we keep asking because we know we are at times like the child who tries to shake loose from their parents in the parking lot.  Ask the Spirit to help you surrender to God’s leading through all the dangers of life and all the way home.

Spirit, lead me home.

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 Of Fair Sunsets and Final Stanzas appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
When the Darkness Appears and the Night Draws Near – https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-over-the-lake-sunset-lake-2157641/
And the Day is Past and Gone – https://pixabay.com/photos/night-sky-moon-stars-midnight-315204/

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

Listen to this version featuring Mahalia Jackson as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here, or for the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

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 great gospel song which voices our desire to have God take our hand. We all face depressing times in our lives, times when we need help to make it through, and our precious Lord offers that help. Let’s tune our hearts.

Gray Days

We all have them. Days when the bright luster of life in Christ is clouded by the circumstances we are facing. Think of these words: dull, bleak, lifeless, and depressing. Whether you are feeling that today, you have felt it before and will feel it again. It is a part of life.

The real variable is what you will choose to do when that feeling comes over you.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,

Think of your most recent gray day. Maybe today is one. If not, recall what that felt like. What was your response? Be honest. Don’t feel guilty about it, just admit it. The first step in making a better choice is to acknowledge the one you have previously made.

Was your first inclination to reach out to God, to acknowledge His abiding presence with you, to rest in His purposes? That can be a difficult perspective to maintain, but when we are confident that even the dull and dreary days are working together for our good, it makes them a lot easier to endure. Are you convinced of this promise?

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

Do you know that? Maybe you do, but the weight of that gray cloud just makes moving forward too much on your own. It’s alright to confess that. But follow it up with a plea for a clear sense of our Lord’s presence with you, working those things together for your good. That is not always easy to do, but it will transform your view of the circumstance, and God’s care in it.

RESONATE!
Determine to ask for a sense of God’s nearness the next time the gray clouds gather in your life. Depression is a very foreboding feeling, and we all need help to deal with it. The bright light of His presence can pierce those clouds, but we have to ask just like the hymn does here. Prepare now to ask your precious Lord to help you draw encouragement from His presence the next time the grayness presses in.

Black Nights

Sometimes things get so dark we would be glad to see a blanket of gray clouds instead. Seeing anything but the enveloping blackness of our most difficult nights would be a welcome relief. Anything to give us a sense of hope when all our resources are depleted and we are struggling even to lift our head beyond our navel.

Thomas Dorsey knew what that felt like. While away from home at the time his wife was due to deliver their first child, he learned by way of telegram she had passed after giving birth. His emotions swung between grief and joy as he raced home only to discover his newborn had passed as well.

I can not imagine what he must have felt in those days after he buried them in the same casket. As he struggled in his faith in those dark days, a friend found a room with a piano. God met him as he plunked at the keys and he penned the words of this hymn. One can not help but think his wife and son were very much on his mind as he wrote these words in particular.

When my life is almost gone,

You may never face something as tragic as Dorsey, but you have known darkness pressing into your life. You have felt the last bit of fight and resolve slip away. You can empathize with Dorsey as he echoed the words of the psalmist.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 ESV

We live in a fallen world so dark, blackness is unavoidable. Even still, God wants to show Himself as our strength and portion in those moments especially. Our strength will fail us and there will come a day when all we will have left is our standing in God. On that day, we will be very needful of God’s care to face the end of life as we know it, that of our loved ones, and ultimately our own.

God is our portion, forever. Not just for this life but also for all that He has in store for us beyond it. Where will you turn when you face the black certainty of death. Going to the One who holds life in His hands is always the best decision, but will be a more difficult one if you wait until this last day, and you will forfeit the hope you can have in Him along your journey even in the darkest ones.

RESONATE!
Are you ready to face the blackest nights of life? Where will you turn when death rears its inevitable head? God is always with us, but when the blackness presses in, it can be difficult to feel it. When your flesh and heart are failing what we need more than anything else is to rest in the fact the God is our strength and our portion forever. That awareness will be everything you need to face even the blackest nights. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk daily with a growing awareness of the nearness of God. 

Jesus, thank You for being my strength when my life is almost gone. Cause me to become more aware of your presence every day so when my flesh and heart fail me, I will have learned to rest in You forever. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Attentive 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 20.2 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.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Every one of us has faced times that our journey has become very dreary. We can still move forward, but the weight of everything at times simply seems to be too much. Ask the Lord to help you draw encouragement from His precious presence in those moments especially.

Lord, help me draw encouragement from Your presence. 

He is always with us, but sometimes we do not feel it. When the end of this life approaches we are especially needful of a keen awareness of God’s nearness, but we should not wait until then to develop it. Ask Jesus to help you walk daily more aware of His nearness.

Jesus, help me walk daily with more awareness of Your nearness.

If we have failed to walk daily with Him, we can still call on Him or cry out to Him when we sense we may be about to fall and hurt ourselves and/or others. He is gracious and will answer us if we will humble ourselves. Ask the Spirit now to help you be ready to cry out to Him not if You need Him, but when.

Spirit, help me be ready to cry out to You when I need You.

When we do cry out and call on Him, He will take our hand and keep us from falling, or help us up. But He does not stop there. He wants us to stay attuned to His leading so that He can lead us through those dangers and ultimately all the way home.

God, take my hand and lead me home.

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 What To Do in Gray Days and Black Nights appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Gray Days – https://pixabay.com/photos/storm-clouds-clouds-thunderstorm-426271/
Black Nights – https://pixabay.com/photos/starry-sky-star-galaxies-andromeda-1654074/

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

Listen to this version featuring Mahalia Jackson as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here, or for the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We begin our journey through this great gospel song which voices our desire to have God take our hand. The last few weeks we considered the importance of holding to God’s unchanging hand, now we rest in the fact that He holds ours. Let’s tune our hearts.

Starting with Humility

Over the last four weeks we have been pondering holding to God’s unchanging. If you are just joining us, feel free to go back and consider some of those ideas. This gospel song takes a slightly different look at the same concept. Instead of holding to God’s hand, we ask Him to take ours.

There are really two parts to that acknowledgment. First, we must realize that we need to be held, carried, supported, assisted. Many people are aware they need some help from beyond their own capacity. That is not easy, but it is the easier of the two parts.

Second, we must ask for the help. Before you dismiss the ease of this part, think of the last time you asked God for help. You probably needed it countless times today, but have you asked. Do you think we should only ask when we are really desperate or more often? Consider the heartfelt words of Thomas Dorsey.

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,

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

We tend to be better at asking for help when we realize we need it. And we need if much more often than we ask for it. Difficult circumstances reveal our needs quicker than normal every day ones, but we must learn to ask not only at the end of ourselves, but way before then. We must learn to ask for the Lord’s direction in all the smaller decisions in life, not just the big ones. We need to learn to stand in His strength in every situation, not just the really heavy ones.

So how accustomed are you to placing your open hand out in front of you and asking your Lord to take it? Over these next few weeks I pray each of grows in the realization of our need and the willingness to ask. He is waiting to strengthen, help and uphold you.

RESONATE!
When was the last time you asked Him to take your hand? Think about the next hour. What is before you that could not benefit from your having asked God to take your hand and lead you, helping you to stand? How about tomorrow? What can you do to practice this simple and tender prayer with greater regularity? Thank Jesus for all He does when we ask Him to take our hand, and then ask Him to take your again today, repeating often.

Asleep at the Wheel

The problem many of us have is that we have fallen asleep at the wheel.  What wheel? The wheel of faith. Because God is so benevolent we are quick to forget that we need to stay alert to circumstances that need His presence.

Living can lull us into an auto-pilot mode that can actually be very dangerous. This is especially true when we consider how haphazard our spiritual growth can become. We must be diligent in our care for our souls, but when we are weary that is difficult.

Let me ask you this. Have you ever fallen asleep while you were praying? It has happened to most if not all of us at one time or another. In one sense it is a beautiful thing, finding rest talking to God about something which ends in slumber. But the downside is when we only pray when we are tired, weak and worn so we struggle to give it the attention it deserves.

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:29 ESV

Coming to the end of ourselves is a good thing because it reveals our need of God, but we can not live a the end of ourselves. We must learn to cry out at other times as well. We add to the child-like simplicity of “Lord take my hand” the more seasoned experience of “I am tired, weak and worn” which adds import to the prayer that follows.

So two things. Maybe you need to wake up and ask God for some help to walk closely with Him. Maybe you need His help simply becoming more diligent. Either way take a few minutes here or in the video above to ask for His help. He is ready to give it.

RESONATE!
Lord, help me to wake up to my spiritual life passing me by, to more diligently talk to you about my needs. Help me to be honest with you every day. Maybe doing so will help me avoid being so tired, weak and worn. Either way, I place my hand in Yours again today asking You to lead me.

Jesus, thank You for taking my hand every time I place it in Yours. Your care for me is so precious to me. Help me to walk with a greater awareness of it today. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Willing 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 20.1 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.

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

There is such a tenderness in this prayer. It reveals the child-like faith with which Jesus admonished us to approach Him. Before we can be led, we must be able to stand. Ask Jesus to give you the strength to do so in Him today, so you are ready to be led.

Jesus, give me the strength to stand.

And coupled with the child-like faith is a more seasoned experience. Tired, weak, and worn, all three. Sometimes we are hesitant to acknowledge to God how we are feeling, but we never need to be. Ask Him to help you be honest with Him every day.

Lord, help me to be honest with you every day.

Regardless of the cause of the darkness, each of us faces periods when it is hard to see which way to go. We need to discern God’s light in those moments so we can be led to it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify God’s light so you can find your way through the darkness.

Holy Spirit, help me see the light of God, even in the darkness.

We ask God to take our hand, not only to stand and to be led through the dark seasons, but ultimately so we can find our way home. We are on a journey and this world is not our destination. Ask God to help you set your sights on your eternal home.

God, help me set my sights on my eternal home.

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 Offering Your Weary Hand to God appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Precious Lord, Take My Hand – https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-hold-reach-place-846092/
Tired, Weak, and Worn – https://pixabay.com/photos/boy-male-man-young-sleeping-828850/

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

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 video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here, or for the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

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 hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Seeing the end from the beginning impacts the journey. Let’s tune our hearts.

Complete when Completed

Have you heard the saying “The joy is in the journey, not the destination”? The point of the saying is to enjoy the process of how you are going by staying engaged every moment and not simply focusing on the end. Where you are now versus where you are going. I have experienced the truth of that and would generally concur with it, with one exception, heaven.

You see, the difference with heaven is that when it becomes our intended destination, the implications are profound. Our journey is forever altered because we live each moment in the light of eternity, as opposed to simply trying to stay open to what each moment may bring. We are indeed longing for the journey to be completed!

When your journey is completed,

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

We hold God’s unchanging hand while He continues the good work He started, ever longing for that work to be completed. We hold to God’s unchanging hand through all the uncertainties of life, knowing one day they will come to an end. Sometimes while you are holding on to God’s unchanging hand, it seems like you will not be able to make it through everything you are facing. Even then, take comfort in the fact that God will finish the work He started.  There will be an end.

You will be complete when your journey is completed.

Looking toward the completion of the journey, and the good work God is doing through it, gives us peace. Peace from knowing that it will culminate in His presence. The very presence of Jesus Christ our Lord.

RESONATE!
Are you weary from the toil of the journey? We all feel that way at times, but building our hope on eternal things renews and restores our hope when we are spent. The journey complete, we will finally stop to enjoy the rest that God has made available to us in His eternal presence. Thank Him for the promise the journey ends. Thank Him for completing what He has started in You. Father, thank You I will be complete when my journey is completed. Help me be content with the process as I go.

True Through

The valley looks beautiful from the ridge, but when you get down into it, sunlight greatly hidden by the dense growth of the trees, all perspective of the forest lost, it came seem like a very forbidding place. Some valleys are deeper and darker than others, but they have this in common, they are unavoidable. We all must go through them at times as we make our way to our eternal home.

You simply can not journey along the ridge endlessly. Eventually, you will have to descend into the valley. But the valley has a way of teaching us something of God’s presence that the ridge can not.

When you are walking along the ridge all sunshine and smiles one step behind Jesus, following is a glorious endeavor. When the path leads you to make your way down into the gorge, following becomes a challenging pursuit. They put our faith to the test.

When the valley you pass through,

Interestingly, this line is actually a substitute for the original.

If to God you have been true,

They are two different ways of looking at the same reality. Our faith must pass through the valley of unbelief, where we are tested and tried. We can walk through it without fear of evil. God is always with us in the valley though and provides us a way out if we look to Him.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Psalm 23:4 ESV

I like the imagery of the valley better, and I believe that God will help us to be true. We have our part, and He has His. He will allow all those who follow Him to find their way out of the ravine, eventually.

RESONATE!
Maybe you are walking through a valley right now. Trying to be true to your faith in your God. Maybe you are weary and worn. We all walk through valleys at some point, but there is no need to fear for God is with you. When death is casting a shadow over you, it can be very difficult to recall this simple reality of God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you today, and whenever you need it in the future. Then praise God for always holding you when you pass through the valleys.

Jesus, thank You for walking with me through he valleys, even carrying me when my strength is gone.  Thank You for the faith that allows me to remain true through the difficult times. You are so faithful to me. Show it again today. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Complete 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 19.4 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.

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

We hold to God’s unchanging hand through all the uncertainties of life, knowing one day they will come to an end. The journey complete, we will finally stop to enjoy the rest that God has made available to us in His eternal presence. Thank Him for the promise the journey ends.

Father, thank You this journey has an end.

Some valleys are deeper and darker than others, but they have this in common: they are unavoidable. We all must go through them at times as we make our way to our eternal home. Praise God for always holding you when you pass through the valleys.

Lord, I praise You for holding me when I pass through the valleys.

The shadows of the valleys we traverse cloud our souls. Those experiences cause us to long for our eternal dwelling, bright and fair as it will be, even more. Recall your last valley, and from that place ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate an even deeper longing for your forever home.

Spirit, give me an even deeper longing for my home in glory.

When we finally see that place Jesus has been preparing for us, our souls will be consumed with intense pleasure and unimaginable joy. I can hardly wait. Thank Jesus for promising to return to take you there, and take a few moments now to consider what it will be like.

Jesus, thank You for promising to take me to my eternal home.

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

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

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 Journeying with the End in Mind appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
When Your Journey is Completed – https://pixabay.com/photos/railroad-tracks-tracks-railway-163518/
When the Valley You Pass Through – https://pixabay.com/photos/clouds-cloudy-conifers-dawn-1852955/

Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

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 video below.

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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. Where are you building your hope? In the security or pleasure of earth’s riches, or in the confidence of heaven’s treasures? Let’s tune our hearts.

Longing

When you see someone enjoying the things this earth affords, it can create an illusion in our hearts and minds. That illusion tells us that we would be happier if we had those same things to enjoy. So we strive to acquire them on the false assumption that when we achieve them, happiness will be ours.

That desire to possess something belonging to someone else is called covetousness. It is not a word that is commonly known, but it is absolutely a common struggle for everyone who breathes. Yes, I believe we all grapple with this, simply that we are often unaware how much it affects our decisions and actions.

Covet not this world’s vain riches,

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 ESV

Jesus is teaching here to be on guard against covetousness, and He offers a very clear reason why. Our lives do not consist in the abundance of possessions. Now before you dismiss this teaching believing you are above it since you are well aware that things do not make up our life, be careful. Covetousness can very easily consume your soul, and become the foundation of your hope.

RESONATE!
Let’s get Jesus involved with our journey beyond covetousness. Start by asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any desire you may have for things that others possess. Maybe there are trinkets, but maybe not. Maybe there is a desire for something that you believe would simply improve the quality of your life. Something that would allow you to enjoy life just a little bit more. There is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying the things of this life, but when a desire to acquire them consumes much of our thinking, we are in danger of coveting. Once revealed, talk to Jesus about how to root out that desire for those things, but keep in mind the best way to do that is to seek other things, heavenly things, which we will look into more in Thursday Thoughts.

Fleeting

Apart from the simple fact that it keeps you from pursuing things with much greater intrinsic value, there are many other reasons to avoid covetousness. 

• The process of acquiring things can leave you distracted and exhausted.
• Acquiring things rarely fulfills the longing for which they are sought.
• Even once they are acquired, it can often be difficult to hold onto them.

That so rapidly decay,

I remember wanting an iPod. I know I am dating myself a bit with that comment. The idea of having thousands of songs at my fingertips seemed like something I just HAD TO HAVE. Besides, I could use it for ministry. Notice we can always find a reason to justify our covetousness.

It consumed a lot of my idle thoughts.  How I could use it. What I would do with it. How much easier it would make my life. Sound familiar?

When I finally got it, I was so excited. I charged it. Downloaded a bunch of CD’s onto it. Plugged my headphones in and just basked in the unmistakable glow of my purchase.

I really enjoyed using it and found it very useful as I had imagined, though there was some upkeep and it did take time to put the songs I wanted on it. Still it was great. Until a cooler smaller version came out. The allure of my first device quickly faded.

Ever happen to you? I bet it has. Yet we still covet things all the time, though we have already learned the lesson to not do so.

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:4-5 ESV

The underlying issue is that we believe they will satisfy that craving inside us, but they are generally useless in that regard. I would offer it is better to replace that longing for worldly riches with a search for things of heavenly, eternal value.  More on that Thursday, but for now just a bit more resonating.

RESONATE!
The riches of this world are useless in meeting our deepest needs, and even when we do acquire them, we realize they do not last. Are you toiling to acquire worldly riches, conveniences, or pleasures? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the fleeting nature of the things you may be pursuing so that you can redirect those energies. As He does, confess them and ask Him to guard your heart from them in the future.

Jesus, thank You for teaching us the vanity or uselessness of pursuing worldly riches. They quickly decay leaving even whatever fulfillment that may have afforded a fleeting pleasure or comfort. Guard my heart from covetousness. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Satified 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.

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Video 19.3 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.

Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

Covetousness is having a great desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. It can be blatant, but is often more subtle. Are you aware of any longing for things others possess? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and root out any covetousness in your soul.

Spirit, reveal and root out any covetousness in my soul.

The world’s riches are vain or useless. You may be tempted to argue with that, but keep in mind we are focused in this hymn on eternal hope. Because of the rapidly decaying nature of this world’s riches, they are useless in light of eternity. Ask God to help you see that clearly.

God, help me to see the vanity of worldly riches.

The treasures of heaven far surpass the riches of earth, but we must still seek them. Jesus taught that it does not profit us to gain the world but lose our soul. Ask Him to give you the perspective you need to seek the treasures that last eternally.

Jesus, help me seek the eternal treasures of heaven.

The enduring nature of those treasures alone makes them more valuable than the riches of earth, but the disparity between them is best revealed in the effect they have on us. The hope of heaven’s treasures never fails. Thank God for hope that never passes away.

God, thank You for hope that lasts forever.

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

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

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 Are You Longing for Fleeting Things? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Covet Not the World’s Vain Riches – https://pixabay.com/photos/dollar-money-cash-money-business-1362244/
That So Rapidly Decay – https://pixabay.com/photos/money-time-finance-dollars-loan-4899491/