All those who find Thee find a bliss
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Early 12th Century)
By: Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153)

Listen to this version with a single solo voice as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We continue our journey through this ancient hymn, originally written in Latin, but still true today. There truly is no name like Jesus, no matter the century. He is our source of hope and joy. Let’s tune our hearts.

Perfect Happiness

It can be so elusive. Often the things we think will bring it leave us unfulfilled. So we simply exchange one object for another in a seemingly endless quest for happiness. Or was it satisfaction?

The issue rests not so much in the pursuit, or even the driving motivation, but instead in that which we are pursuing. When we are after something that simply can not satisfy our deepest longing, we will only be disappointed when we realize the vanity of the quest. What we need to do first is be certain that we are pursuing the things that will truly satisfy.

The only thing that can satisfy that God-shaped hole in our hearts is God. Nothing else. Intuitively, we know this, but we try to settle for lessor fillers for various reasons.

All those who find Thee find a bliss

You make known to me the path of life;
   in your presence there is fullness of joy;
   at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11 ESV

Bliss is perfect happiness. In the presence of Jesus is fullness of joy. Perfect happiness and fullness of joy sound pretty similar don’t they? That is what we find in Christ. Thank Him for making this path of life known to you, and for the eternal pleasures His right hand holds.

RESONATE!
So what are you searching or striving for? There is a bliss or perfect happiness available only to those who find Jesus, for in Him they find great joy and relief from the burden of sin and self. Recall that moment you first realized what Jesus was offering you. Can you remember it? It was bliss. Thank Him for that.

No Words

Have you found that bliss? If you have, think of a time when you tried to share it with someone who had never experienced it. What stories did you tell? What analogies did you use? How did you communicate with them?

There are no words that can fully and accurately portray the great joy that comes into each soul that has found the path of life in Christ. Only those who have surrendered to Jesus and accepted His free gift of life can understand the freedom we have found in Him.

It can be frustrating to try to show your bliss with your tongue or your pen. But it is also exhilarating when another soul surrenders to Jesus and finds it. It is so worth the effort when you see the Holy Spirit doing His work of bringing someone to repentance.

Nor tongue nor pen can show;

But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV

There truly is no way for us to adequately portray in any manner the love of Christ without the work of the Holy Spirit. No tongue or pen can show it, but the Spirit reveals it perfectly and completely. Thank Him for showing you the love of Christ, the very depths of God.

RESONATE!
If we had 1 billion CD’s they would be insufficient to tell of the perfect happiness we find in the love of Christ. If the sky were a scroll and the oceans ink, still the great joy we discover in the depths of God can not adequately be represented or fully set forth. Not even the most eloquent orator or author can tell it completely. Even still, ask the Spirit to reveal it to you again today. Take a few moments to let Him do His unparalleled work of revelation as He shows you again the bliss you have in Christ.

Jesus, thank You for the bliss that is ours when we surrender our lives to You. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for revealing that to us, and continually taking us deeper into God. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see what the Spirit is revealing. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Blissful 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 21.3 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.

All those who find Thee find a bliss
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

There is a bliss or perfect happiness for those who find Jesus, for in Him they find great joy and relief from the burden of sin and self. Recall that moment you first realized what Jesus was offering you. Can you remember it? It was bliss. Thank Him for that.

Jesus, thank You for the bliss I have found in You.

If the sky were a scroll and the oceans ink, still the delight we discover in God can not adequately be represented or fully set forth. Not even the most eloquent orator can tell it completely. Still, ask the Spirit to reveal it to you again today.

Spirit, show me the bliss I have in Christ again.

The love of Jesus is what is truly inexpressible. Our bliss flows from our knowledge of that, but it is not simply intellectual. It stirs our hearts like nothing else, for there is nothing else like it. Praise Him for making it known to you.

Jesus, I praise You for making Your love known.

The knowledge that only those who belong to Jesus can understand His love is both thrilling and terrifying. Thrilling because we know, and terrifying because there remain so many who do not. Ask God to help you live out your faith with that awareness every day.

God, help me live out the love of Christ so others can know.

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 The Spirit Does What No Orator or Author Can appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
All Those Who Find Thee Find a Bliss – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/person-human-joy-sunset-sun-110303/
No Tongue or Pen Can Show – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/meeting-exchange-of-information-106591/

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Early 12th Century)
By: Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153)

Listen to this version with a single solo voice as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We continue our journey through this ancient hymn, originally written in Latin, but still true today. There truly is no name like Jesus, no matter the century. He is our source of hope and joy. Let’s tune our hearts.

Highs and Lows Meet

We have all found ourselves at low places at times. Something has broken us and left us on our knees before the Most High God. Often, those things have taken us by surprise along the journey of life.

Can you relate? Maybe you are in one of those difficult times today, and are very mindful that you have arrived there as a result of your own choices. Do not fight that guilt or the brokenness it brings: embrace it, for there is a blessing on the other side of doing so, even hope through the process.

O hope of every contrite heart,

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15 ESV

Here God declares not only that He dwells on high, but also with anyone who is of a contrite and lowly spirit. The Presence of the Most High is promised to the low in spirit, and from it springs revival. Do you feel like you are almost gone, your hope ebbing away? You are in a perfect place to encounter the Holy One. Bring your broken heart, and ask Him to be your hope again today.

For all those willing to accept and acknowledge their guilt before God, Jesus has promised to be their hope. There is nothing more that needs to be accomplished, simply accepted. This is the hope Jesus has made available to all who confess their need of Him. He will meet you in that low place and lift you into His loving, refreshing embrace.

RESONATE!
Is there anything you need to confess to God today? Something you have done or left undone that has left you feeling guilty before the High and Holy One? You can find that relationship restored and your hope revived right now. Allow your brokenness to bridge the divide your soul feels and rest once again in the kindness of our God.

Submitting to God Involves Waiting on Him

Ever feel like the young man on the edge of the terminal? You are waiting for your train to come. You have submitted yourself to the schedule upon which it runs and now must simply wait.

It is difficult to submit our will to something or someone beyond our control. It is especially difficult to do that quietly and gently. But when the one we are submitting to is the Holy One, it can be much easier, partly because of who He is, and partly because of what He promises as the result of our meekness.

O joy of all the meek,

The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:19 ESV

To be meek is to be submissive. Jesus is the joy of every soul that has submitted its will to God. We realize the joy He brings as we yield in an ongoing way all along our journey with Him, not simply that initial surrender at the beginning. Is your joy increasing as you walk with Jesus? It should be, and it can. Ask the Spirit for help.

Could you use some fresh joy today? Then simply confess your willingness to gently, quietly submit to God’s will and obtain it. He has promised, and He will do it. Seek and show your elation in the Holy One right now.

Spirit, help me continually surrender my soul to my Lord.

RESONATE!
Is there some area where you are and maybe have been struggling to submit to God’s will? Maybe you have even gotten on the wrong train in the hopes of getting to your desired destination sooner, only to later realize it was the wrong way to get to the wrong place. Tell God again today you will surrender to His ways and timing, and find a fresh joy for the journey that remains.

Jesus, thank You for the promise of Your presence and fresh joy if I will simply surrender to Your purposes and ways. Help me to look to You every day and submit to You. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Hopeful 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 21.2 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 hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

For all those willing to accept and acknowledge their guilt before God, Jesus will be their hope. There is nothing more that needs to be accomplished, simply accepted. This is the hope Jesus has made available to all who confess their need of Him. Thank Him.

Jesus, thank You for the hope I have in You.

To be meek is to be submissive. Jesus is the joy of every soul that has submitted its will to God. We realize the joy He brings as we yield in an ongoing way, not simply that initial surrender. Is your joy increasing as you walk with Jesus? It should be. Ask the Spirit for help.

Spirit, help me continually surrender my soul to my Lord.

We have each experienced the kindness of Jesus, but we become acutely aware of just how kind He is when we fall, and we all do. We tend to be hard on ourselves, but Jesus is ever kind. Give Him praise for His endless kindness to you, especially when you do not deserve it.

Jesus, thank You for Your kindness when I have fallen.

Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, none of us would ever seek after Jesus, yet He helps us, and when He does, we find out just how good Jesus is, especially set against the reality of how bad we are. Thank the Father for giving you the ability to seek Jesus.

God, thank you for enabling me to seek Jesus.

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 Do You Know the Path of Hope and Joy? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Hope of Every Contrite Heart – https://pixabay.com/photos/underground-god-hope-urban-destiny-885206/
O Joy of All the Meek – https://pixabay.com/photos/stand-by-train-railway-suetsid-1848973/

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Early 12th Century)
By: Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153)

Listen to this version with a single solo voice as you prepare to ponder this hymn. 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 this ancient hymn originally written in Latin, but still true today. There truly is no name like Jesus, no matter the century. Let’s tune our hearts.

Thought Processes

So what do you think about when you aren’t thinking about anything else? What you daydream about? The answers to these questions reveal a lot of information. Let me give you an example.

Today my oldest son turns 21. I can remember the first time I held him on my lap over two decades ago. The days leading up to his arrival, and those first few days with him, I could hardly focus on anything else but his arrival, and then his care. Another way of putting it. I was preoccupied.

Do you know that feeling? Sometimes it is a wonderful thing, and other times a dreadful one, but there are things that simply captivate our mental capacities at different points in our lives. They consume our thought processes.

What is that thing for you today?  A new job? An old wound? A broken relationship? You name it.

Truth be told, Jesus wants to be that preoccupying thought for you. He knows that a preoccupation with Him will resolve many of the struggles of your life, or at least give you a very different perspective on them. He is absolutely worthy of such undivided attention.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV

Jesus is all these things, and thinking of Him ushers them into our minds and our lives. We should work to cultivate a mindset that is fixated on Him. Thinking about Him often everyday allows our thoughts to reflect the beauty of our Savior.

RESONATE!
Thinking about the name of Jesus changes things. We often cry out to Him in desperation, but we should also set out minds on Him in delight, because these two extremes and everything in between them is impacted by our perspective on Him. Think about His name for a few moments right now. Then consider setting a timer to go off every hour through the rest of this day and when it goes off take a minute to think of it again. This is one way to develop a mindset that is filled with Jesus.

Reinforce Desires

All of us know things that are good for us, yet we sometimes lack the diligence to seek them as we should. When we think about things, our thoughts can influence our actions and even guide our appetites. Let me offer another example.

When I am watching my calorie intake managing my weight becomes a much simpler process. When I eat fewer calories than I need every day, I will loss weight. When I eat more than I need, well you the idea.  Counting calories influences and even constrains how I act on my appetites.

Could the same be true in other areas of our lives besides the physical? Absolutely.

What I think about, what I ponder in my soul, what I long for will indubitably affect the direction and fervency of what I desire. I what I desire has an impact on the quality of my life, so best to long for good things. And what better thing is there than the wisdom of knowing God?

With sweetness fills my breast;

My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:13-14 ESV

When we think on the things from the passage above they set our minds on Christ and His words. Feasting on His words brings a sweetness into our minds that can transform us from the inside out. His wisdom is indeed so sweet because it assures us of a future and a hope.

 

RESONATE!
Are you pursuing things that will bring sweetness to your soul? Jesus wants this for you, and frankly is that for you, but we must diligently seek. Thank Him for His sweet words and commit to feast on them everyday, trusting they will fill you with the sweetness of His presence.

Jesus, thank You for the sweetness of Your presence. Help me to experience it more and more everyday by filling my mind with your words. Give me a desire for more of You. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Thoughtful 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 21.1 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.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Just the thought of the name of Jesus does something for the true follower. Many times we cry out in desperation, but evenin delight, uttering His matchless name changes things. There truly is no name like the name of Jesus. Think about it for a few moments.

Jesus, fill my thoughts with Your name.

Where there was rot and decay He brings a vibrant and dynamic renewal and refreshing until sweetness displaces everything else. Is there anything threatening the filling of the core of your being today. Speak the name of Jesus in your heart again right now and experience His fullness.

Jesus, fill me with the sweetness of Your presence.

Even better will be that day when we finally see Him face-to-face. The sweetness of His unveiled glory in those moments will be sweeter than anything we will have ever experienced, by far. Ask the Spirit to help you long for that day.

Holy Spirit, help me long to see Jesus face.

The rest we will find in His presence that day will be overwhelming. So glorious will it be that for the balance of eternity we will never grow weary of marveling at its radiance. Peace promised by Him finally ours when we arrive in His presence. What an inheritance is ours! 

God, thank You for the promise of rest in Your presence.

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 You Are What You…Think appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Jesus, the Very the Thought of Thee – https://pixabay.com/vectors/thought-bubble-think-comic-blank-305053/
With Sweetness Fill My Breast – https://pixabay.com/vectors/bee-jar-pot-honey-food-dessert-5069152/

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.

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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/