Held By the Grip of God

"I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (Philippians 3:12)

Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you "turn aside to the right hand of to the left" (Deuteronomy 5:32). We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has "laid hold of" us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought, "Well, I'm really not suited for this." What you are to preach is also determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Keep your soul steadfastly related to God, and remember that you are called not simply to convey your testimony but also to preach the gospel. Every Christian must testify to the truth of God, but when it comes to the call to preach, there must be the agonizing grip of God's hand on you--your life is in the grip of God for that very purpose. How many of us are held like that?

Never water down the Word of God, but preach it in its undiluted sternness. There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God, but when you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are--you are not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

Fairest Lord Jesus

Exactly how and where this hymn came to be written is uncertain. It may have originated with Moravian Christians who fled Bohemia in the eighteenth century to settle in Silesia. The hymn depicts the character of Christ in some of the loveliest words and music ever penned. The lilting folk tune draws our attention outdoors to God's handiwork in nature, extolling the incredible beauties of creation. Yet as great as these are, the hymn continues, Jesus is fairer still. The song also reminds us of Christ's glory as both God and man. As we think about God's handiwork--the beauties of nature and splendor of the universe, we are led to worship the Creator, who brought it all into being.

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man the Son,

Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, Thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown!

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, robed in the blooming garb of spring:

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, and all the twinkling, starry host:

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be thine!

(from the Praise and Worship Study Bible-Tyndale House)

The Lord is Our Master

Psalm 16:2 (NLT)
I said to the LORD, "You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you."

David understood how uncertain life could be. He was no stranger to disappointment, rejection, and betrayal. Yet, in spite of these experiences, he wholeheartedly entrusted himself to his sovereign Master. David knew that the Lord would watch over him and that all his blessings came from the Lord. It only made sense to submit himself to this caring Master. Like David, we, too, can find safety and security in the Lord. When we acknowledge that he is our Master, we will find true peace and blessing.

GREAT MASTER, keep us safe, for, like David, we have come to you for refuge. In you we find protection and deliverance and blessing. We praise you for being our security for our days on earth and throughout eternity. Amen.

(from the Praise and Worship Study Bible-Tyndale House)

A Prayer for Returning to God's Presence

Read Jeremiah 50:17-20

Show me, O Lord, your mercy, and delight my heart with it. Let me find you, whom I so longingly seek. See, here is the man whom the robbers seized, mishandled, and left half dead on the road to Jericho. O kindhearted Samaritan, come to my aid! I am the sheep who wandered into the wilderness--seek after me, and bring me home again to your fold. Do with me what you will, that I may stay with you all the days of my life and praise you with all those who are with you in heaven for all eternity. 
--Saint Jerome (347-420)