I have been recently introduced to a hymn that we have in the Trinity hymnal, and I'm sure we've sung at one time or another, but just recently I have meditated on the words to drawn strength and comfort from their truth. You know how Jerry Bridges has encouraged us to preach the gospel to ourselves every day? In so doing, we keep a true perspective of ourselves and God and rest in His grace and provision. This song, based on Ps 130, is a song of the gospel and the Christian's life. Dr. Lockwood, I'm sure that you'll be familiar with it! :)
The first verse is the cry of the regenerate sinner. Lamenting in woe, he raises his voice not to the cold, impersonal "whoever will listen" but he raises his cry to God:
From the depths of woe I raise to thee the voice of lamentation; O turn an gracious ear to me and hear my supplication: if thou iniquity doest mark, our secret sins and misdeeds dark, O who could stand before you?
In the second verse, he realizes that our works are insufficient. God's grace alone through Christ can cleanse us. It is in that truth that we stand secure:
To wash away the crimson stain, grace, grace alone availeth; Our works alone are all in vain in much the best life faileth: No man can glory in thy sight, all must alike confess thy might, and live alone by mercy.
Then comes the victory verse of the cleansed sinner. Christ is our victory and in Him we trust:
Therefore my trust is in the Lord, and not in my own merit; On him my soul shall wait, his Word upholds my fainting spirit: His promised mercy is my fort, my comfort and my sweet support; I wait for it with patience.
But this verse is my favorite. Christ has cleansed us from our sin, and our future, our way, and our peace with God are held secure in Him. But there are times when the sweet taste of victory and rest seem so far away, long past and not coming soon in the future. The night stretches out dark before us, and it is hard to see the step in front of us let alone the whole path. But God doesn't require us to know the whole way before us. He only asks us to obey Him in the circumstances, decisions, and relationships He has given us now, without doubt or fear in Him:
What though I wait the live-long night, and till the dawn appeareth. My heart still trusteth in his might; it doubteth not nor feareth: Do thus, o ye of Israel's seek, ye of the Spirit born in deed and wait till God appeareth.
And this verse is the key. It is his grace and love, his goodness and truth that frees us from our sin and sorrow. We can do all things through Him:
Though great our sins and sore our woes his grace much more aboundeth; His helping love no limit knows, our utmost need it soundeth. Our Shepherd good and true is he, who will at last his Israel free from all their sin and sorrow.
The first verse is the cry of the regenerate sinner. Lamenting in woe, he raises his voice not to the cold, impersonal "whoever will listen" but he raises his cry to God:
From the depths of woe I raise to thee the voice of lamentation; O turn an gracious ear to me and hear my supplication: if thou iniquity doest mark, our secret sins and misdeeds dark, O who could stand before you?
In the second verse, he realizes that our works are insufficient. God's grace alone through Christ can cleanse us. It is in that truth that we stand secure:
To wash away the crimson stain, grace, grace alone availeth; Our works alone are all in vain in much the best life faileth: No man can glory in thy sight, all must alike confess thy might, and live alone by mercy.
Then comes the victory verse of the cleansed sinner. Christ is our victory and in Him we trust:
Therefore my trust is in the Lord, and not in my own merit; On him my soul shall wait, his Word upholds my fainting spirit: His promised mercy is my fort, my comfort and my sweet support; I wait for it with patience.
But this verse is my favorite. Christ has cleansed us from our sin, and our future, our way, and our peace with God are held secure in Him. But there are times when the sweet taste of victory and rest seem so far away, long past and not coming soon in the future. The night stretches out dark before us, and it is hard to see the step in front of us let alone the whole path. But God doesn't require us to know the whole way before us. He only asks us to obey Him in the circumstances, decisions, and relationships He has given us now, without doubt or fear in Him:
What though I wait the live-long night, and till the dawn appeareth. My heart still trusteth in his might; it doubteth not nor feareth: Do thus, o ye of Israel's seek, ye of the Spirit born in deed and wait till God appeareth.
And this verse is the key. It is his grace and love, his goodness and truth that frees us from our sin and sorrow. We can do all things through Him:
Though great our sins and sore our woes his grace much more aboundeth; His helping love no limit knows, our utmost need it soundeth. Our Shepherd good and true is he, who will at last his Israel free from all their sin and sorrow.
posted by In The Potter's Land | 9:53 AM
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