Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

Listen to this modern version of this ancient 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.

As we continue our journey through this ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Fighting the Battle

We can appreciate the powerful imagery of this stanza, but dare I say not as well as those who sang it in generations when swords and shields were the primary tools for combat. Being an ancient hymn, there were many who lived in such a time when that was the case, which probably explains why it is the stanza most often left out of modern usages of this great text. While that is understandable, it is also unfortunate.

Though we may not take up physical swords and shields for the battles we face every day, our battles are no less real. Just because we may not bleed or be dismembered by our foes does not mean we do not face dangers each day. They tend to be spiritual in nature, but also emotional and relational. Are they beginning to come into view?

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:16-17 ESV

This is from the larger passage in Ephesians which encourages us to pray for the full armor of God. We need that armor, for various parts of our bodies, because there are a variety of skirmishes every day. God wants to help us with each of them and so He offers us defensive and offensive tools to use against them. 

There will be a battle and a fight. Maybe you are very aware of that, or maybe you are just now realizing this is a reality of the Christian life. When we determine to see God and walk in His wisdom, opposition will arise in our lives. Again, some are spiritual, but not all.  God has already offered to be your Shield and Sword, and through Christ’s work on the cross is already victorious in every way. He invites you into that victory as surely as His presence ensures it.

 

 

 

RESONATE!
Whatever you are facing today or in this season, ask God to be your shield and sword. Ask Him to be your protection and weapon in the fight for right. Take a few moments right now to pray, “Lord, be my defense and offense against my foes.”

Enjoying the Accolades

We can savor the victory that Christ has accomplished and makes available to us. The ultimate victory of sin, death and the grave are assured, but so are many smaller ones because they are secured by it and flow from it. We are victorious because God makes it so.

In ancient times, the laurel wreath was awarded to victors as a sign of respect and honor for their achievements. They we presented to winners of sporting events and battles alike. You had to earn it. It was not a participation award, and not everyone who competed or fought was given one.

If there was ever someone worthy of respect and honor for accomplishments in is Jesus Christ. He laid down His life to overcome sin, and then took it up again to demonstrate His victory over death and the grave. The incredible grace to us is that God shares the respect and honor He has rightfully earned with us who have not when we choose to associate with Him in His crucifixion. What seems like a disgrace becomes the means that dignity is imparted to us. What seems disastrous, is the very path to delight.

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV

We have no greater honor than to die to ourselves and let Christ live in us. We must strive to find our worth and our delight in Him. There are no accolades that convey greater honor and respect than to be associated with Him in His death and resurrection.

But we must be careful to not “rest on our laurels”. This is an old saying that implies becoming complacent and trusting in the honor of victories won long ago. Instead of simply enjoying the honors of what Christ has accomplished, we must balance that with  allowing His life to shape our living so we continue to bring honor to Him.

We must always remember though that His presence with us is what makes us worthy of honor and respect. With this knowledge, it becomes clear why He would be our delight as well. He has won the battle, and graciously shares all the accolades with us.

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to reveal to you if you are living by faith in Christ. Thank God for gracing your life with the dignity and delight which comes with an ever-increasing awareness of His presence. Tale a few moments now to pray, “Jesus, thank You for the Dignity and Delight I find in you.”

Jesus, be my Shield and Sward, my Dignity and Delight. Thank You for opening my eyes to these truths. Help me to live in them today, and turn all the glory right back to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Victorious 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 25.3 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.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

There will be a battle and a fight. When we determine to see God and walk in His wisdom opposition will arise in our lives. Certainly some are spiritual, but not all. Ask God to be your protection and weapon in the fight for right.

Lord, be my defense and offense against my foes.

His presence with us makes us worthy of honor and respect. With this knowledge it becomes clear why He would be our delight as well. Thank God for gracing your life with the dignity and delight which comes with an ever-increasing awareness of His presence.

Jesus, thank You for the Dignity and Delight I find in you.

His presence also provides Shelter for our souls and Tower of protection for our lives. Again we acknowledge that there are forces which come against us, but that God if for us as we face them. Ask Him to be your Shelter and Tower.

God, be my Shelter and Tower.

If we have and power His presence is the real Power behind it. This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and ultimately will raise us heavenward to His glorious presence.  Thank the Holy Spirit for being that Power from on high, for today and the day when you rise.

Spirit, thank You for being the real Power in my life.

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 Connected to the Truth appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Be Thou My Battle Shield, Sword for the Fight – https://pixabay.com/vectors/shield-sword-weapon-armour-sharp-34911/
Be Thou My Dignity, Thou My Delight – https://pixabay.com/vectors/laurel-wreath-accolade-winner-award-304839/

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

Listen to this modern version of this ancient 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.

As we continue our journey through this ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Words of Wisdom

Who doesn’t want more wisdom?

I mean, come on. Wisdom keeps us out of trouble. It helps us make the best decisions, decisions that impact every area of our lives, spiritual, relational, emotional, financial, physical, etc.

But…

There is no easy solution to discovering Wisdom. The same can be said for employing it once you have it. Both require an investment of time and energy that few are willing to make.

This simple prayer begins a process. One that is worth every once of effort the willing soul will afford.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6 ESV

God is pouring forth Wisdom. The supply is not the problem. The problem arises with whether we are listening. Whether we will receive it.

There is a connection throughout this stanza of God’s words being in us so we can be in Him, which starts with our acknowledging that He is Wisdom and Truth. From there we have to take the time to allow His words to find their way into us. His mouth is speaking, but our ears are not always listening.

When was the last time you asked God for wisdom and truth? When you did were you patient enough for Him to speak them into your life? Do you know how to do that?

How do we find God becoming our Wisdom? We search for Him and it in His Word. We must make time in the Bible a regular occurrence, and when we come we must ask Him to open our blind eyes and give us understanding. It seems so simple, and it is, but that does not mean it is easy. It requires diligence, perseverance and patience. Are you setting His words before you so you can hear and see Him?

RESONATE!
Ask Him to be your wisdom and truth. “God, give me eyes to see You in Your word.” Then take the time reading to allow Him to reveal Himself to you. Sit and ponder. Read and pray. Even a few minutes every day will begin to allow Wisdom to grow in you.

Connecting

Getting into God’s word, reading it often, provides a context where we can be connected to Him and His ways. When we are spending time with God in His word He speaks to us, then and later, in addition to helping us make sense of what has already happened in our lives. There are both active and passive elements of this exchange.

The active part is our responding to God’s prompting and the desire to know Him by actually reading His Word. The passive part comes when we have to wait and allow Him to bear fruit in us. The latter makes us like a branch that is connected to the vine which supplies everything it needs for fruit bearing.

Jesus connects us to Himself, the True Vine, and then we must choose to stay connected. It seems silly to think about a branch separating from the vine and still trying to produce fruit, because a branch can not take the initiative. But we can. We can drift away and fail to nurture the essential connection for not only fruit-bearing but life itself.

When we realize how crucial that connection is we sincerely pray prayers like this one.

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 ESV 

When He reveals His Wisdom and Truth to us, we are left with another choice, allowing those things to live in us, and us in them. Jesus uses the illustration of a branch and a vine. His words connect us to His life.

Time and relationship. These are the words that come to mind in the context of this Scripture. I want to be with God, and I want Him to be with me. How does that happen? Again, sitting in His presence be immersing ourselves in His Word.

RESONATE!
Ask Jesus to help you dwell in Him, always staying connected to Him. Ask Him to help you learn how to live in His presence, by allowing His words to dwell in you. “Jesus, help me live in Your presence.”

Jesus, I want to live in Your presence. I want to allow Your word to dwell in me so I can dwell in You. I want Your Wisdom to shape my every thought and decision. Help me Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Connected 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 25.2 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.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

How do we find God becoming our Wisdom? We search for Him and in it in His Word. We must make time in the Bible a regular occurrence, and when we come we must ask Him to open our blind eyes and give us understanding. Are you setting His words before you so you can see Him?

God, give me eyes to see You in Your word.

Time and relationship. These are the words that come to mind with these words. I want to be with God, and I want Him to be with me. How does that happen? Again, sitting in His presence be immersing ourselves in His Word. Ask Jesus to help you live in His presence.

Jesus, help me live in Your presence.

Like Father, like son. We want to be like God. This happens as we imitate and emulate His ways. In order to do that we must know Him and His ways. Ask the Spirit to reveal the ways of God, and empower you to walk in them, thus demonstrating you are God’s child.

Spirit, help me to imitate God’s ways.

God makes His dwelling in us in ever-increasing measure as we open our lives to His influence. Have you invited the Lord to come and have His way in your life recently. When you do He does, and He aligns your life to His purposes. Commit to welcoming Him regularly.

Lord, I commit to welcoming You in my life regularly.

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 Connected to the Truth appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Be Thou My Wisdom and Thou My True Word – https://pixabay.com/photos/bible-old-testament-new-testament-4179472/
I Ever With Thee and Thou with Me Lord – https://pixabay.com/photos/vine-leaf-branch-plant-nature-3236107/

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

Listen to this modern version of this ancient 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.

As we begin our journey through this ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Vision

We must see everything against the backdrop of the cross. I believe it was Henry Blackaby, the author or “Experiencing God” who said that. It has shaped my perspective for years, and comes to bear on lines like this one.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3 ESV

Where is the steadfast love of God better on display than at the cross? What can help inform our walk better than the steps of Jesus up the hill to Calvary? If we keep the cross central in our sight, seeing His love and walking in His faithfulness becomes a much simpler endeavor.

This entire hymn is a beautiful prayer, starting with these first lines. We acknowledge God as the Sovereign One in our internal workings, our heart, and ask that His presence be our guide externally as well. Make this your prayer as we begin to journey through this ancient song.

What are you looking toward or for? What are you aspiring to? For the Christian, the answer to those questions should be Jesus, and being like Christ respectively. This is an ancient Irish prayer of protection and it starts by centering on Christ. Is that where you begin?

RESONATE!
Ask the Father to help you begin your journey through this incredible text by centering on Jesus. Take a few moments and talk to Him about things that might be competing with your focus on Him. Be honest and sincere, echoing the heart of the text.

Everything

This second line of this great hymn is definitely worth pondering. It is artistic, genuine and powerful in its simplicity. Consider that it is a translation from the the original prayer and it becomes even more remarkable.

Read it, and without looking ahead at the Scripture or the thoughts below answer these questions. What does that mean? How might I express that in more modern language? Then by all means, please read on.

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8 ESV

Be nothing else to me other that what you already are. This acknowledges that we believe He possesses everything we need, we are satisfied in Him, and desire nothing else. How many of our problems would be solved if we rested in this truth? Ask Him to help you today.

We want Him to be nothing more than our highest aspiration, but we definitely want Him to be that. Or do we? If you had to strip all other pursuits away except for one, what would that one be? Christlikeness? Ask Him to be your everything, and nothing more.

RESONATE!
What is God to you? Is He everything? Is He something less? Ask Jesus to help you see Him for who He really is, and to become everything to you.

Jesus, fill my field of vision until I see nothing but You, and everything against the backdrop of Your cross. Take me on a journey of finding my satisfaction in You and You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Visionary 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 25.1 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.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

What are you looking toward or for? What are you aspiring to? For the Christian, the answer to those questions should be Jesus, and being like Christ respectively. This is an ancient Irish prayer of protection and it starts by centering on Christ. Is that where you begin?

Father, help me to begin by centering on You.

We want Him to be nothing more than our highest aspiration, but we definitely want that. Or do we? If you had to strip all other pursuits away except for one, what would that one be? Christlikeness? Ask Him to be your everything, and nothing more.

Jesus, be my everything.

Daydreams and nightdreams, every conscious and unconscious thought all find their value somewhere below Jesus. He is our best thought, and allowing Him to hold that position informs our actions and attitudes both day and night. Tell Him He is your best thought.

Lord, You are my best thought.

His presence makes the difference in every circumstance, whether we are living it or dreaming of it. The terrors evoked by the dark night of the soul are no match for His countenance. The next time you are facing any darkness, maybe right now, ask the Spirit to shine bright.

Spirit, shine Your brightness into my life.

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 Who Are You Looking For? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-iris-look-focus-green-1132531/
Naught Be All Else to Me, Save That Thou Art  – https://pixabay.com/photos/question-mark-question-mark-symbol-3470783/

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me 

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.

To begin a New Year, we revisit 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.

Faithful

What is more faithful than the rising of the sun? The clouds may come and go, and the days may get shorter, but the sun still rises. It is a great illustration of the faithfulness of our God.

When you look at that big ball of fire in the sky, what thoughts come to mind? Maybe take a few moments and step outside, even if it is not morning, or even daytime at all, and look up. Seriously, will you take a minute and look up at the sky, even if you can not get outside at the moment you are reading this?

Such an exercise generally does two things for me. It makes me feel very small. I am reminded what a small part of creation I am, and that at least helps me to see my problems a little smaller as well. But it also has another effect on me.

It causes me to marvel at God’s interest in me, and not just me, but all of us. Though we are infinitely small in the grand scheme of the cosmos, He cares for us and every day demonstrates His faithfulness to us. Amazing!

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; Lamentations 3:22 ESV

Never is a long time, longer than our finite minds can really even comprehend, and yet, never is when the Lord’s steadfast love ceases and His mercies end. His is a faithfulness which is truly incomprehensible, and yet we know it to be true thanks to the gift of faith. His faithfulness actually informs and motivates our faith. How remarkable is that?

The songwriter is not only declaring something he has heard is true. It seems obvious he is proclaiming something that his soul wants to make known and also may just need to be reminded of regularly. That practice respositions his soul to experience the faithfulness of God anew. 

Jesus, help me join the chorus proclaiming Your faithfulness.

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to actively rest in God’s faithfulness right now. The songwriter does not mind telling God what He already knows. Will you join him? Join the chorus of creation and tell God you know He is faithful. If you need help saying it, you can even ask Him for that.

Mercy

So we can see God’s faithfulness on display in the rising of the sun, among other regular occurrences in creation. But what about His mercies. Where to better see the mercy of God than in His word? And when better to see it than to start the day looking for it?

This is not simply another appeal to open the Bible. Will you consider again in this context of seeing the mercies of God anew everyday that maybe, just maybe, there may be no better place to do that than on the pages of the Holy Scriptures? Just think about it.

What is your morning routine? Think about the things you do to get going each day. List them out. Is setting your eyes on His Word an essential part of the start of your day? If you knew you would be more likely to see His mercy there, and then better equipped to see it everywhere afterwards, would that motivate you?

If so, will you consider this? Determine to include in your morning tomorrow a quick reflection on the single verse below. But before you go to bed tonight, ask Him to open your eyes of faith so you are able to see His mercies. Then simply keep your eyes open as you read this, and then go throughout your day. I sincerely believe it will make a difference. If it does, just repeat it the next day, taking it one day at a time, and starting anew when you miss a day.

Morning by morning
New mercies I see

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23 ESV

I often joke that I am thankful His mercies are new every morning because some days I feel as though I might have used them all up. Thankfully, this is never true, so great is His faithfulness. Starting a new year, and every day in it with an awareness of His mercy, changes us. Try it.

Do you have eyes of faith that allow you to see God’s mercies new every morning? Such vision is a gift from God, but it also must be cultivated. If you never open your spiritual eyes, or never look for mercy, you will likely miss it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see God’s mercies.

RESONATE!
Consider accepting the simple challenge above. I can testify when I exercise my desire to see God’s mercy, He has never failed me. Has He showed up when and how I wanted? Often not. But has He always been faithful? Yes, He has. I believe you will find the same to be true.

Faithful God, show me Your mercies new every morning. Help me to be diligent to look for them, and capable of seeing them even when they look different than I might have hoped they would. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Faithful 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 23.6 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.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me 

The songwriter is not only declaring something he has heard is true. It seems obvious he is proclaiming something that his soul may just need to be reminded of regularly. That practice respositions his soul to experience the faithfulness of God anew. Will you join him? 

Jesus, help me join the chorus proclaiming Your faithfulness.

Do you have eyes of faith that allow you to see God’s mercies new every morning? Such vision is a gift from God, but it also must be cultivated. If you never open your spiritual eyes, or never look for mercy, you will likely miss it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see God’s mercies.

Spirit, help me see God’s mercies daily.

There are many things we want and God does not provide all those. There are far fewer things we need and He does provide every one of those, which is and of itself a demonstration of His great faithfulness. Thank Him for providing all we need, and then some.

Father, thank You for providing all I need, and so much more.

His faithfulness is personal. He not only does all these remarkable things for the souls of all who look to Him, but He does so in unique ways for each one. Think of specific ways He has been faithful to you, some of which not one other person may even know.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to me.

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 Cultivating Eyes of Faith appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is Thy Faithfulness – https://pixabay.com/photos/sunrise-sun-clouds-sky-mood-3533173/
Morning by Morning New Mercies I See – https://pixabay.com/photos/reading-girl-alone-green-nature-2798775/

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid all our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

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 conclude our journey through Advent and Christmas 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.

Desire of Nations

I first saw the above image of Jesus years ago. Unlike many prints that I could appreciate for their artistic beauty or their truth communication, I really wanted this one. I received it as a gift and proudly displayed it.

Though it is the artist’s rendition of Jesus’ version of Joseph’s coat of many colors. Having served a missions-minded church movement for years this really resonated with me. Obviously from a Biblical perspective Jesus is the Desire of Nations, and this coat and print portrays that truth visually in a powerful way. There are flags and patterns representing many tribes and tongues.

O come, Desire of nations, bind

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV

A child has been born, not just to Israel, or those of faith in the One true God, but to the world, a child who will bring the deepest longings to every heart that seek Him: counsel, protection, care and peace. Jesus is that child born to the humble couple from Nazareth, for the world.   

Though the nations do not make Jesus their expressed desire, the truth is that He actually is. The deep, lasting and eternal peace that can only be found in Him is the desire of every heart, and every nation. Declare your desire for the Desire of nations again today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

RESONATE!
If you have read this far, I feel it is safe to say Jesus either is already your desire, or He is drawing you to Himself so that He can become it. Give thanks to God if you know Him as the Desire of your heart this season, and if you don’t asl Him to become it now.        

Bind in One our Hearts

You do not have to look very far to see our “sad divisions” which we will consider in the closing lines of this stanza on Thursday. This is prayer is offered before they are even mentioned or enumerated. To appreciate personally the great need for being bound as one I want to ask you to do something.

Think of a division in your life. Maybe it is with a loved one. Maybe a neighbor or co-worker. I do not want you to think of the cause of the division, but the cost. What is that division costing you, and everyone else involved?

Maybe there is no way to find unity and the peace that flows from it because of the stance of those on the other side of the division, but let that not be said of you. Is there anything you could do today to remove part of the division, the dividing wall of hostility? Not sure? Would you be willing to ask God to show you?

If you are going to ask God to bind all the hearts of mankind into one, you need to be willing to examine how you may be contributing to that division. Not easy, I know. Then and only then can you with integrity ask God to bind…

In one the hearts of all mankind;

…I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:23 ESV

Jesus prayed this incredible prayer for His children, and for those who would become His children. That we would be one so the world would know the Father sent Jesus because He loves us. Hallelujah! God loves us. Sometimes we keep the world from knowing it because of our lack of love. Lord have mercy on us, and make us one with you, removing any divisions between us and you, and us and others.

Though we share this great longing to be united, we pursue it in many and diverse ways. It is actually the one thing that all mankind desires, a deep longing for peace from being united. It is what could bind us together, but our different approaches often tear us apart. Help us Lord.

RESONATE!
Echo Jesus prayer for unity that reflects His love. Ask Jesus to bind all hearts together pursuing Him. Jesus, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. 

Jesus, thank You for being the Desire of Nations, even though they fail to realize it. Help your people to live out your love so that we may display the unity the world longs to experience and start with me. Let there be eace on earth and let it begin with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Unified 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 24.5 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.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid all our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Though the nations do not make Jesus their expressed desire, the truth is that He actually is. The deep, lasting and eternal peace that can only be found in Him is the desire of every heart, and every nation. Declare your desire for the Desire of nations again today.

Jesus, You are my desire.

Though we share this great longing we pursue it in a multitude of ways. It is actually the one thing that all mankind desires, a deep longing for peace. It is what could bind us together, but our different approaches often tear us apart. Ask Jesus to bind all hearts together pursuing Him.

Jesus, bind in one the hearts of all mankind.

One other translation says, “bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease”, but this one is simpler, “all our sad divisions”. Whatever their root cause, our differences often create envy, strife and quarrels instead of bringing us together. Ask Jesus to cause them all to cease, and let it start with you.

Jesus, starting with me, bid all our sad divisions cease.

Oh for the day the world finally knows Jesus and the peace that only He can truly bring, internally, externally, and eternally. Close out this year and begin the new one asking Jesus to not only be your Prince of Peace, but the King of Peace for the whole world.

Jesus, be our King of Peace.

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 Making the Many One appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, Desire of Nations – http://icandigit-kel.blogspot.com/2008/01/coat-of-many-colors-lord-of-all-by.html
Bind In One the Hearts of All Mankind – https://pixabay.com/vectors/heart-flags-countries-united-unity-3204671/