Friday Morning Prayer:)… March 18, 2022
March 18, 2022 - 6 minutes readI asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and ev’ry grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face
…
Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair
…
I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He’d answer my request
And by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest
…
Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of the heart
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in ev’ry part
…
Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I’d schemed
Blasted my gourds and laid me low
…
Lord why is this I trembling cried
Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death
‘Tis in this way the Lord replied
I answer prayer for grace and faith[1]
…
“To you O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy…. Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.”[2]
_______________
The saints who gather as the church, ministers/shepherds/pastors of the gospel who teach, visit, help, and Spirit-filled volunteers serving in various ministries are all God’s fellow workers in spreading the gospel of Christ. Moreover, as the Spirit leads and empowers, there is great anticipation for God-given opportunities to strengthen and encourage those in the faith. The motivation is supernatural, longing that ‘I might grow in faith, love, and ev’ry grace’ and help others too, that we ‘might more his salvation know, and seek more earnestly his face.’
The Psalmist, “When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.” By ‘His own hand He seemed Intent to aggravate my woe…’ Our sovereign God, who knows your every thought, every feeling, and gives every breath is refining, shaping perfectly, the regenerate heart. ‘Yea more with his own hand…’ even hiding his face, that the only humble response will be, ‘…to the Lord I cried for mercy.’ “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”[3] There is inevitable ‘trouble’ at God’s sovereign hand. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”[4]
Beloved, be ye encouraged and strengthened in your faith. It is a hard truth that God forms you and me through trials, pain, suffering; “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”[5] “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.”[6] Paul reminds us, “…we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”[7]
We share the same faith in Christ, yet God works with you and me individually according to his good pleasure, that you and me might know better, the unending depths, this great salvation we share! Trials and tribulations come in various shapes and sizes. Paul, in writing to the saints at Thessalonica sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage those in the faith, “…so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.”[8]
These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st seek Thy all in me
_____________
Friday Morning Prayer. First Baptist Church, 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine.
Sisters meeting at 0900
Brothers meet at 0730
Join us if your schedule allows. A time of intentional prayer, encouragement, and strengthening in your faith. It is always a joy to gather with the saints! :)… As the Spirit leads, we pray for the sensitivity to follow.
[1] https://lyricstranslate.com/en/john-newton-i-asked-lord-lyrics.html
[2] Psalm 30:8, 10
[3] Psalm 34:17
[4] Ibid v. 18
[5] Psalm 30:5b
[6] Ibid 30:11-12a
[7] Romans 5:3-5
[8] 1 Thessalonians 3:3
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