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

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

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

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Starting with Humility

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asleep at the Wheel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Willing Tuning!

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

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

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

Video 20.1 Transcript

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

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

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

Jesus, give me the strength to stand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sing

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

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

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

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

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

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Complete when Completed

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

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

When your journey is completed,

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

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

You will be complete when your journey is completed.

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

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

True Through

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

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

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

When the valley you pass through,

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

If to God you have been true,

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

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

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

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

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

Complete Tuning!

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

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

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

Video 19.4 Transcript

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

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

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

Father, thank You this journey has an end.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sing

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

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 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 hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Where are you building your hope? In the security or pleasure of earth’s riches, or in the confidence of heaven’s treasures? Let’s tune our hearts.

Longing

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

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

Covet not this world’s vain riches,

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

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

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

Fleeting

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

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

That so rapidly decay,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Satified Tuning!

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

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

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

Video 19.3 Transcript

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus, help me seek the eternal treasures of heaven.

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

God, thank You for hope that lasts forever.

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

Sing

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

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

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

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

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

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

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or 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 hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Ever had a friend forsake you? That is painful. But take heart, God never will. Let’s tune our hearts.

Never Alone

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Recall the last time you felt alone.

Maybe it was some time ago, or very recent. Remember what was going through your mind. What had happened that left you feeling exposed or isolated?

How did you deal with that terrible feeling? Did you take it to God, or in some measure had you convinced yourself or had others convinced you that He was responsible so He was the last One you wanted to talk to about it?

If we are honest, we would all admit there have been times when it even seemed like God had forsaken us. We may have even continued to believe He had not, but it sure felt like.

In times like that I try to remind myself of God’s promises. Key word, try. It is not always easy.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 ESV

I have been wrestling lately with the fact that in most situations God is responsible for His part, and I for mine. So based on this verse what is mine? I must know His name which reveals His character and put my trust in Him and seek Him. Sounds simple. Rarely is.

When you are upset with someone, it is difficult to bring yourself to the point where you search them out. It is easier to avoid the disappointment and not talk about it. But it hurts both parties. When we seek God, we find Him. When we find Him, we learn His name. When we know His name, we can trust Him.

RESONATE!
The Lord never forsakes us. Say that out loud. Personalize it. The Lord never forsakes me. Put your name in there and tell your soul. The Lord will never forsake you _____. We have all had times when we were trying to trust God was really hard, but the alternative never produces better results. If God seems distant ask the Holy Spirit to reveal why that is, and then ask Him to help you deal with what He reveals.

Time Keeps Slipping Away

Whatsoever years may bring,

I have struggled for years with the phrase, “Time heals all wounds.” Add to that struggle the reality of this line and you can understand why? The passing of years bring new challenges, hurts, pains, joys, etc.

Sometimes the promises of God as mentioned above can bring some solace to help mitigate those challenges, but sometimes they may instead seem to exacerbate them. Take Jeremiah 29:11 below for instance.

Maybe you feel like you have suffered something evil. There is just no other reasonable explanation for it. You believe God has your welfare in mind and is giving you a future and a hope, but the evil you are facing causes you to question where God is as the clock keeps ticking.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

And the years of our lives bring many different trials and temptations. When hardship comes it is easy to blame to God. When enticement comes we can fail to look first to the One who satisfies our soul. Have the years brought something that is threatening to pull your attention or affection away from God?

He would want you to use that same incident to draw you nearer. But sometimes instead we blame Him after all the years can only bring what God allows, and sometimes those things are hard to swallow.

Maybe I am not describing your relationship with God, but someone you know. Someone you love. Someone whose heart has become hard. Whether it is you or a friend take some time to consider this.

RESONATE!
Is there something from your past that you or someone you love has not gotten over, and maybe is causing resentment God? That can be even more painful that a friend forsaken you, and harder to overcome. Ask God to reveal if there is any such thing that has come your way over the years. Whatsoever He brings to mind ask Him to heal today, and trust Him and His plans for you.

Jesus, thank You for the reminder that I am never alone. If or when I am tempted to believe anything else, remind me of your promise. That moment may come today, years from from now, or both, but I have determined to trust You and seek You, if You will but help me. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Deliberate Tuning!

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

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

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

Video 19.2 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.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

There are times when it is difficult to sense God’s presence, but that does not mean He has left us.  He never will. He has made a promise and He will keep it. Does it seem like God is not near? Ask Him to reveal why that is, and to help you to address it.

God, show me anything that is keeping me from sensing You.

And the years of our lives bring many different trials and temptations. When hardship comes it is easy to blame to God. When enticement comes we can fail to look first to the One who satisfies our soul. What is threatening to pull your attention of affection away from God today?

Jesus, what is threatening my relationship with You today?

Here is the most painful test of all, when those closest to you fail you. We need others and we must share our lives, but when those we trust most are not there when we need them it is the worst. Ask the Spirit to heal you from those injuries

Spirit, heal me from the pain of friendships forsaken.

All the defeats and disappointments in life are allowed by God to remind us that He is always there for us, and enough for every need. Tell Him again today that you are committed to cling to Him still more closely because He is the One changeless reality in life.

Father, I am committed to cling to You.

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

Sing

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

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

The post Learning to Trust God Through the Years appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Whatsoever Years May Bring – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/time-clock-time-of-time-indicating-1632030/
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Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

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

We begin our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. All of us are facing a greater degree of uncertainty than we were months ago, but holding to God gives us far greater certainty than not. Let’s tune our hearts.

Sands of Time

Time. There is no stopping it. Like a great hourglass that has been overturned and is both slowly and swiftly sifting along, time halts for no one.

That indiscriminate plodding is no respecter of people great or small. It simply keep s moving forward and each of must find a way to deal with the effects it has on us universally. Have you felt the shifting of the sands of time in your life lately? Whether COVID-19, the social unrest, the upcoming election, or something else very intimate or personal, you are probably well aware that things are swiftly transition to some different state.

Time is filled with swift transition,

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV

If you have lived for very long at all you know the reality that things in life can change very quickly, and often without any input from you. Time and chance are the great equalizers. They happen to every one of us. Since there is no avoiding them, the only real alternative to simply becoming a victim of them is to find a way to deal with their effects.

Holding to God’s unchanging hand is unquestionably the best way to deal with them. I say unquestionably because ever other means of coping will fail you at some point, but God will not.

RESONATE!
What is that circumstance that you are tempted to hold and not release to God? If you are holding it with both hands, how do you suppose you will be able to hold to God’s hand? Determine today that you will let go of the things that otherwise would keep you from holding His unchanging hand. Time brings swift transitions but holding to God is your best source of help. Ask Him to be that source again today.

Shifting Sand

Those swift transitions of time unsettle every one of us at some point. We often try to struggle against the shifting under our feet trying to find some sure footing. This hymn puts it bluntly. “None of us is able to stand through all those transitions.”

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Taken as a singular truth that would be pretty disheartening. We should always be careful when considering a declaration like this whether in a song or Scripture to examine the context. In our song, the writer is going to quickly point us to where to find hope in the midst of that uncertainty.  The Scripture always does the same.

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah Psalm 75:3 ESV

With the swift transitions and the shifting landscape, it is hard to stand unmoved. Actually impossible, but for God. It would be like struggling against the shifting sands of a desert landscape, or even a spot of quicksand. But we find hope in God. He is the One who holds the earth steady and is able to steady us as well when everything we have been standing on seems to erode. 

RESONATE!
What has shifted under your feet recently? You probably do not have to think much about that. Finances, relationships, health, so many things have been effected these last few months. But God has plans even for those unsettling experiences. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen to what God is saying when the sands of change shift under your feet. Take a few moments right now to let Him interpret the shifting you have been going through lately.  Then give Him praise you never have to do so alone.

Jesus, thank You for being a steady constant when every other thing in our lives is shifting. You are so faithful and so good. Help me to trust You as time brings transitions into my life and I am unable to stand. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Solid Tuning!

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

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Video 19.1 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.

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

If you have lived for very long at all you know the reality that things in life can change very quickly, and often without any input from you. Whether you are in the midst of a transition right now or not, thank God that you never have to face them alone.

Thank You God that I never have to face transitions alone.

Those transitions unsettle every one of us at some point. We can say “I shall not be moved”, but sometimes God has other plans which He does not reveal that ahead of time. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen to what God is saying when the sands of change shift under your feet.

Holy Spirit help me to listen to Your voice.

Even when everything else is shifting we can still choose to build our hopes on eternal things, things that last even in the storms of life. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you today how you can build on the foundation of God’s word and His love for you.

Holy Spirit, help me build on God’s word and love for me.

Sometimes in order to hold onto God we need to let go of something else. It can be so painful and fearful to release something into His unchanging hands, especially something you thought you would always hold, but you can trust Him. Ask Jesus to help you trust Him more today.

Jesus, help me trust you more today

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

Sing

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

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

The post Dealing with the Shifting Sands of Life appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Sands of Time – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hourglass-time-sand-run-out-3308818/
Shifting Sand – https://pixabay.com/photos/arid-barren-dawn-desert-dry-hot-1866541/