Grace - Remember

Do you know this wonderful hymn?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in his wonderful face.

And the things of earth will will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace.

Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)

Then consider also the following quote:

"Herein would I live; herein would I die; hereon would I dwell in my thoughts and affections, to the withering and consumption of all the painted beauties of this world, unto the crucifying all things here below, until they become unto me a dead and deformed thing, no way meet for affectionate embraces. For these and the like reasons, I shall first inquire into our beholding of the glory of Christ in this world by faith."

From The Naked Gospel by John Owen, D.D., 1616-1683  (Yes, that's right, these words were written 400 years ago.)

Separated by a span of nearly 200 years, English lyricist Helen Howarth Lemmel and the English theologian John Owen both wrote the on the same idea--beholding the glory and grace of Jesus Christ.

I think we would do well, were we to do the same.

Do you struggle with a sin?  Are you lonely, depressed?  Have you lost hope?  Does your trust in Him falter?

Are you unsure?  Do you long for happiness and peace?  Do you question whether God will prove good to you?

Have you insisted on doing life your own way?

Then do as God instructed His people, both in the Old Testament and the New:  Remember.

In the Old Covenant, God's people were called to build memorials and to make lasting covenants with external reminders.  In the New, He calls on us to fellowship with and encourage each other, to take communion in remembrance of Him and, as in the Old, to worship.

Zoom in on His face, on His glory, on His grace.

I pray that like Peter, after you've failed so many times, you will remember the kindness of God.  Let it shine upon you, and you will remember you have nothing to fear but the overwhelming love of a good and gracious Father.

Remember.

With "affectionate embraces" of Grace and Peace,

Jeremy