Friday Morning Prayer:)… December 10, 2021
December 10, 2021 - 5 minutes readRock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save me from its guilt and power.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All could never sin erase,
Thou must save, and save by grace.
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die.[1]
“Praise the LORD. I will extol [Yahweh] with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.”[2]
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A brother asked, “how do we participate [or partake] in the divine nature?
I’ve been thinking about this question all week. The layers of truth revealed through the living word of God are never-ending. By God’s grace, he gives life, calls us to himself, we think about this life-changing sustaining truth, thankful in great awe, which continues to grow.
To embrace and apply, to work out this great salvation and live consistently guided, empowered by our indwelling God is amazing, supernatural, and awe-inspiring—this becomes more evident as I, and you too, spend time thinking about, reflecting, meditating on this precious faith, the gospel, the word of God, we share. “Great are the works of [Yahweh]; they are pondered by all who delight in them.”[3]
“…We live in stirring days, when deeds are everything–when closet work is often neglected for active business, and little time is given to meditation. Yet, with more thought and prayer–wholesome activity would be greater in the end, and all our actions more successful. Time is not lost, which is spent in meditation–in searching wisdom’s ways, and seeking out profound realities….”[4]
As we grow in grace through knowing our God and Savior Jesus Christ, the only ever-increasing response will be consistent with the psalmist, one of deeper reverence and awesome wonder. Paul prays that the church, you, me, and every genuine believer, “…out of his glorious riches, [the Father] may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Moreover, “And, I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”[5]
This Christmas season we meditate on the first Advent and anticipate the second. God is always present and manifests himself in your life and mine, smile after smile, word after word, generous act after generous act. We make every effort to grow in grace, meditate on the word, and add to our faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love—as we participate in the divine nature, you individually, and us together, we are light shining in the darkness, encouraging and helping those in distress to God’s glory. There are always new facets and deeper meaning, heart-moving, life-changing truths as we revisit and revisit our gracious God through his word, in prayer, and in the fellowship of the saints.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
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Friday Morning Prayer :)… First Baptist Church, Alpine. 1912 Arnold Way.
Brothers meeting at 0730. Gals meet at 0900.
A time of encouragement and prayer. As the Spirit leads, we intentionally follow. Join us if your schedule allows.
[1] https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/1058
[2] Psalm 111:1
[3] Psalm 111:2
[4] Grace Gems “The art of meditation” by George Mylne.
[5] Ephesians 3:16-19
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