O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,
And bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
And turn our darkness into light.

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

Star

As I write this we approach the longest night of the year. But this is not your ordinary winter solstice. On 2020 Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer in the sky than they have in around 400 years. This is called a conjunction, but being that it is on this holiday week, some are calling it the Christmas Star, even though it simply two planets reflecting the light of the sun.

Our perspective sometimes keeps us from seeing things clearly, and many will still not be able to see this phenomenon in the western sky tonight. That does not mean it did not occur for it most certainly did. It makes me ponder what other things we miss in this or any other season for that matter.

Our text for this week takes us to Jesus’ self-proclaimed title of “the bright morning star” and encourages us to think about the difference His coming can make. His light brings comfort and pushes back darkness. It even turns darkness into light.

O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16 ESV

This is a name Jesus gave Himself which undoubtedly means He is glad to be called by it. He is no ordinary star, which varies in brightness, but is constant, always visible. We simply need eyes to see Him, eyes that are always looking for Him. What are you doing to seek out that star this season?

We invite Him again to come, this time as the One Who can illumine our darkness. A bright morning star is one that can be seen even in the daytime. Such is our Savior. So why do we sometimes fail to see Him? Maybe we are not looking. Really looking.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

RESONATE!
If we are going to benefit form the light Jesus can bring we need to be looking for and even expecting that light. Ask Jesus for the ability to always see Him. Ask Him to help You to always be looking for Him. Only then can we truly see Him for who He is. Jesus, help me see You for Who You are.         

Comfort

Can light bring comfort? Absolutely! Darkness welcomes and feeds doubt and uncertainty. Light can remove them and usher in comfort in the void left behind.

It seems like such a simple thing. Ask for light just like you would ask for Christmas gift. Then wait. But wait expectantly. Can you recall the wonder of being a child and opening a Christmas gift that seemed to flood your whole being with excitement?

Jesus wants us to ask, and then wait expectantly. Sometimes grown-ups can take things too seriously. Recall the simplicity of a Christmas morning when you received a gift you had desperately wanted, one you had asked for over and over.

Realize Jesus wants us to long for Him in a similar way. And why wouldn’t we? He brings comfort from that seemingly distant place of the shining star and illumines our heart with love, faith, joy, peace, and so much more.

And bring us comfort from afar!

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17 ESV

In this verse that follows the one above we see various ones invite Jesus to come, as well as the one who needs Him. His presence and the light which emanates from it are the comfort we need. What pain are you experiencing today? Ask Jesus to comfort you with His bright presence.

RESONATE!
Where do you need the comfort of the Bright and Morning Star? Maybe it is something you have asked for before.  Ask again. Welcome Him to draw near and bring it to you. Jesus, draw near and comfort me with the light of Your presence. 

Jesus, thank You for being the Bright and Morning Star. Shine into my darkness and bright your comfort. You know what I need even better than I do, and You long for me to find it in You. Help me Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Illuminated 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 24.4 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.

O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,
And bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
And turn our darkness into light.

We welcome Him again, this time as the One Who can illumine our darkness. He calls Himself no ordinary star, but one that can be seen even in the daytime. Such is our Savior. So why do we sometimes fail to see Him? We are not looking. Really looking. Ask Him to help You. 

Jesus, help me see You for Who You are.

Can light bring comfort? Absolutely! Darkness welcomes and feeds doubt and uncertainty. Light can remove them and usher in comfort in the void left behind. Where do you need the comfort of the Bright and Morning Star? Welcome Him to draw near and bring it to you.

Jesus, draw near and comfort me with the light of Your presence.

We all deal with darkness, sometimes internal and other times external. Jesus is the Master at pushing that darkness away from us. This stanza reminds us that we need to ask Him to dispel it. Take a lesson from this simple prayer and put it into practice today. 

Jesus, dispel the shadows of the night.

Jesus is so bright He can turn our darkness into light, not simply pushing it away, but transforming it for His glory and our good. Name your darkness right now and ask Jesus to turn it into light. Believe He can do it, for He alone is the Bright and Morning Star.

Jesus, turn our darkness into light.

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 Finding Comfort in His Light appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star – https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/jesus-and-satan-referred-to-as-the-morning-star.html
And Bring Us Comfort From Afar – https://pixabay.com/photos/christmas-gift-christmas-tree-3485296/

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

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

Stump

The writer has taken a bit of poetic liberty here. Emmanuel is more accurately a branch or shoot from the stump of Jesse, not his stem. The word stump may not rhyme as well, but it conjures a more accurate picture of the dismal state of the people of God as they waited on the promised Emmanuel. We would do well to consider for a moment just how dire that position was.

Because of their failure to keep their covenant with God, He had fulfilled His promise to them that He would exile them from His presence. They chose to follow their own desires as opposed to the clear commands of God. They had been scattered to the four corners of the earth, driven out of their inheritance, cut off from the promises of God with no hope of return.

There are many ways in which our experience parallels theirs.

Because of our failure to honor God with our lives, He kept His word to have nothing to do with those in sin, so we were separated from His presence. We chose to follow our own desires as opposed to the clear commands of God. We had been scattered to the ends of the earth, driven away from the ways and will of God, cut off from the roots of our relationship to Him with not hope of reconnecting.

So our cry echoes theirs.

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 ESV

He came, not because we deserved it. He came to keep His word, and provide a way for us to once again bear the fruit. We, like they, are reconnected, even grafted into the shoot that sprang forth to fulfill this promise.

Indeed that Branch came, the One promised from ages past. Jesus is the shoot, the fulfillment of the promise and He will bear fruit. And who is the fruit? We are! Connected to the stump of Jesse we should bear good fruit. Are you? 

We invite Him again to come, the One who is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. The implication to this name is that we be connected to Him as He is the source of our life. Are you connected to the Branch of Jesse’s stem? 

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to reveal if you are bearing fruit. Whether you are or not reveals the strength of your connection to Him. Healthy, well-connected branches bear fruit. Jesus, show me the strength of my connection to You and help me to bear fruit.

Branch

There are seasons in each of our lives when we fail to bear fruit. While that may seem natural since there are seasons for every purpose under heaven, it is not the supernatural reality the Branch of Jesus has invited us to live. We are to be evergreens.

So how do we escape the cycle of bearing fruit and not bearing fruit? We look to God for help staying connected. That connection and the constant nurturing of it rescues us from ourselves.

And it is His promise and our prayer that gives us the hope reconnection is possible, even probable. That connection, based on our faith in Him, is what makes us His own. Our rescue flows out of that relationship. Are you nurturing that connection and relationship? If you are going to bear the fruit of that connection you must.

Unto Thine own and rescue them!

He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12 ESV

Like Israel, our sins had kept us from walking in the presence of God. Even still, He made a way for us to become His own, and rescue us from our exile. He grafted us into the Branch and gave us life.

RESONATE!
We deserved our banishment, and we do not deserve being gathered back to God, yet that is exactly what He has promised and accomplished. Thank the Father for making a way for our banishment to end and the opportunity to be grafted into His life it creates. Now we must continue to look to Him for the grace to stay connected. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay connected. Spirit, help me nurture my connection to the Branch of Jesse, Jesus my Savior.

Jesus, thank You for being the Branch of Jesse, and providing a way for me who was banished to be brought back to You. Help me stay connected so I can enjoy the life You offer. 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 24.3 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.

O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s stem,
Unto Thine own and rescue them!
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

We invite Him again to come, the One who is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. The implication to this name is that we be connected to Him as He is the source of our life. Are you connected to the Branch of Jesse’s stem? Ask Him to reveal your connection.

Jesus, show me the strength of my connection to You.

That connection, based on our faith in Him, is what makes us His own. Our rescue flows out of that relationship. Are you nurturing that connection and relationship? If you are going to bear the fruit of that connection you must. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay connected.

Spirit, help me stay connected to Jesus.

So what does that connection rescue us from? Eternal separation from God in the depths of hell. His coming to us not only fulfilled prophecy, but in so doing saved us from the wages we had earned, death and hell. Give praise to God for not giving you what you deserved.

God, thank You for not giving me what I deserved.

Not getting what you deserved, and getting what you did not deserve are two very different things. Not only did we not get hell, and eternal separation from God, but we do get victory over death and an eternity with God. Give praise to God for getting what you did not deserve.

God, I praise You for giving me what I did not deserve.

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 Reconnecting, and Remaining So appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s Stem – https://pixabay.com/photos/annual-rings-wood-sawed-off-474927/
Unto Thine Own and Rescue Them – https://pixabay.com/photos/stump-bud-hope-nature-3581917/

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

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

Ancient

What does Wisdom look like? When you think of wisdom, what kind of images come to mind? Stuffy old books and stodgy old men, or peace and rest and light?

Earthly wisdom makes me think of ancient texts and people, but Wisdom from on high evokes the latter images for me. It seems to me Wisdom would know when to walk and when to sit. When to enjoy the sunlight and when to head for cover.

God’s Wisdom towers over us but we seldom stop the frenetic pace of living to observe or identify the cues it may be giving us. When was the last time you were simply still for at least five minutes with no other agenda but to tap into the wisdom of God? He wants to show us His way, but are we truly even looking, let alone inviting Him to come to us and show us?

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV

And how we long for Emmanuel to come and impart that wisdom to us. Wisdom whose presence allows our lives to be filled with some remarkable qualities. The question becomes will we welcome that Wisdom to find expression in our lives. 

God knows all things, but His wisdom goes even further. It includes experience and judgment. Of course God possesses all these and so much more. We need those things in our lives. We need Him. 

RESONATE!
Ask Him to search your heart.  Are you ready to welcome Him to show you His Wisdom? Invite Him to come with all His knowledge, experience and judgment. God, come and bring your knowledge, experience and judgment into my life.

Lofty

Not only is His wisdom ancient, it is lofty. It is simply higher than we can grasp without His help.  His perspective is so vast we can truly not even begin to fathom it. And yet, He wants us to welcome Him to order all things in our lives and beyond

There is a remarkable beauty in the ways and thoughts of God. It we would but lift our eyes from our own hurts, habits and hang-ups, we would be able to see it better. Then it would be able to change us.

Putting everything in our lives in God’s control can be a little intimidating, right? Will we even be able to understand what He is telling us. Maybe we will end up confused.

Hardly. God’s ways are higher than ours, but they are often reasonable, if not at least a little faith inducing.

Who orders all things far and nigh;

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 ESV

The first issue arises: God’s ways are not our ways. If we are going to welcome HIs presence, then we must first acknowledge it will require us to behave and think differently.

Being Wisdom, He is, after all, over all. His position is one of reigning authority. He wants to order things in your life so you can find rest and peace in a hurting world. Will you allow Him to order the things in your life, so you may experience the benefits of His wisdom?

RESONATE!
Are you willing to make those adjustments in your living and thinking? He wants to give you reasons to rejoice, but you must be willing to let Him have His way. Trust Him and simply ask, “Father, order things near and far, including the things in my life.” Then prepare to be amazed. 

Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us, and Wisdom from on high, taking up residence with us and ordering all things according to Your will and way. Help me adjust my thinking to let You have Your way in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Lofty 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 24.2 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.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

God knows all things, but wisdom goes even further. It includes experience and judgment. Of course God possesses all these and so much more. We need those things in our lives. We need Him. Invite Him to come with all His knowledge, experience and judgment.

God, come and bring your knowledge, experience and judgment into my life.

Being Wisdom, He is, after all, over all. His position is one of reigning authority. He wants to order things in your life so you can find rest and peace in a hurting world. Will you allow Him to order the things in your life, so you may experience the benefits of His wisdom?

Father, order things near and far, including the things in my life.

One of the ways He orders the things in your life is by revealing the very path of knowledge. When you know the way to go, that which knowledge dictates, you have a better opportunity to take it. Ask Jesus to show you the path of knowledge.

Jesus, please show me the path of knowledge.

Knowing the path and taking it are two different things. Often we may know the right way, but we still choose the wrong. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to walk the path of knowledge so you may be positioned to receive the blessings of walking with wisdom.

Spirit, teach me how to walk with wisdom.

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 Are You Willing to Let Wisdom Have His Way? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, Thou Wisdom from On High – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/book-old-clouds-tree-birds-bank-863418/
And Order All Things Far and Nigh – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/moon-heaven-earth-blue-planet-4638721/

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

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

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

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Coming

The key is His presence.

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

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

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

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

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

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

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

Freeing

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

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

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

And ransom captive Israel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liberated Tuning!

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

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

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

Video 24.1 Transcript

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

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

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

Jesus, come to me anew.

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

Spirit, reveal any captivating thoughts.

The separation caused by sin is real and agonizing. We must accept that, confess it and plead with the Father to deliver us from its debilitating effects. Mourn any separation from Him, and allow that grief to motivate you to repentance as you turn back to God.

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

Trust that just as Jesus came to His people as a helpless baby, He will come to you as a faithful savior. He will come, and He will appear or make Himself known to you. Prepare yourself in this season to respond to His coming to you, and ready yourself to rejoice.

Jesus, help me prepare to rejoice at Your coming.

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

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

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

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

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

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside.

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

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

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Enduring

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

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

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth

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

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

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

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

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

God, I praise You for pardon and peace.

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

Presence

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

God is a companion like no other.

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

Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enduring Tuning!

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

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

Video 23.5 Transcript

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

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside.

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

God, I praise You for pardon and peace.

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

Jesus, thank You for Your presence.

Just the strength for the day we are facing is a gift we sometimes fail to open, but He also gives us hope beyond it. How gracious that two-fold gift is, and how unfortunate we fail to receive it on some days when we need it most. Ask the Spirit for the humility to accept them.

Spirit, help me to humbly receive Your strength and hope.

This is such a great line. All these blessings are fully mine, even though there are “ten thousand” others around me with the same access to each of them. How faithful is our God and how boundless His kindness to us. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness once more.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness.

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

Sing

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

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

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