We sang "Alleluia, Sing To Jesus" in chapel yesterday, and the third verse was exactly what I needed to hear:
Alleluia! Bread of angels, Thou on earth, our food, our stay
Alleluia! Here the sinful flee to Thee from day to day
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth's Redeemer, plead for me
Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
He is a Rewarder
I'm translating the book of Hebrews for my 3rd year Greek class, and I started chapter 11-- the "hall of faith"-- today. Verse 6 blew me out of the water.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, for it is necessary for the one who comes to God to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder to the ones who seek Him. ~Hebrews 11:6, my translation
The ESV translates the last phrase, "and that He rewards those who seek Him." The meaning is the same, but a more literal translation brings out this staggering wonder: "rewarder" is a noun. A noun! God doesn't just reward; He IS a rewarder. He is defined as one who rewards. In the same way that 1 John's statement that "God is love" rings more powerfully than the simple "God loves," a literal translation of Hebrews 11:6 highlights the amazing truth that God is characterized by rewarding.
Those of us who are seeking God are not just seeking somebody who happens to reward people; we are caught up in the hedonistic pursuit of the Great Rewarder.
Wow.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, for it is necessary for the one who comes to God to believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder to the ones who seek Him. ~Hebrews 11:6, my translation
The ESV translates the last phrase, "and that He rewards those who seek Him." The meaning is the same, but a more literal translation brings out this staggering wonder: "rewarder" is a noun. A noun! God doesn't just reward; He IS a rewarder. He is defined as one who rewards. In the same way that 1 John's statement that "God is love" rings more powerfully than the simple "God loves," a literal translation of Hebrews 11:6 highlights the amazing truth that God is characterized by rewarding.
Those of us who are seeking God are not just seeking somebody who happens to reward people; we are caught up in the hedonistic pursuit of the Great Rewarder.
Wow.
Monday, May 4, 2009
True Romance
I'm getting married in about 2 1/2 months, and so naturally I've been thinking a lot about love and commitment and faithfulness. Yesterday I was talking to a friend about love and marriage, and about how many girls on this campus are looking for a storybook romance, when the real thing is a little different. After 4 1/2 years in a relationship, I have realized this:
True romance looks a lot less like Prince Charming and happily ever after, and a lot more like a bloodied cross.
Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. ~Ephesians 5:25
In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ~1 John 4:10-11
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." ~John 15:12-13
Keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:8
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." ~Mark 8:34
True romance looks a lot less like Prince Charming and happily ever after, and a lot more like a bloodied cross.
Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. ~Ephesians 5:25
In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ~1 John 4:10-11
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." ~John 15:12-13
Keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:8
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." ~Mark 8:34
Friday, May 1, 2009
Breathtaking and Breathgiving
My thought for the day:
Lord, May every breath You give me be taken away by the sight of your unparalleled mercy.
Lord, May every breath You give me be taken away by the sight of your unparalleled mercy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)