I. First, then, the text sets forth THE EXCEEDING DELIGHTFULNESS OF OUR LORD.
He compares himself here, not as in other places to needful bread and refreshing water, but to lovely flowers, to roses and lilies. What is the use of roses and lilies? I know what the use of corn is; I must eat it, it is necessary to me for food. I know why barley and rye and all sorts of roots and fruits are created; they are the necessary food of man or beast. But what do we want with roses? What do we want with lilies? They are of no use at all except for joy and delight. With their sweet form, their charming color, and their delicious fragrance, we are comforted and pleased and delighted; but they are not necessaries of life. A man can live without roses; there are millions of people, I have no doubt, who live without possessing lilies of the valley. There are all too few roses and lilies in this smoky Babylon of ours; but, when we do get them, what are their uses? Why, they are things of beauty, if not "a joy for ever." Jesus is all that and more; he is far more than "a thing of beauty," and to all who trust him he will be "a joy for ever." To you who are Christ's people, he is your bread, for you feed on him, and he makes you live; you could not do without him as the sustenance of your soul. He is the living water, and your soul would pine and perish of a burning thirst if you did not drink of him. But that is not all that Jesus is to you; God has never intended to save his people on the scale of the workhouse, to give you just as much as you absolutely need, and nothing more. No, no, no; he means you to have joy as well as to have life, to look upon beauty as well as to be in safety, and to have not only a healthy atmosphere, but an atmosphere that is laden with the odour of sweet flowers. You are to find in Christ roses and lilies, as well as bread and water; you have not yet seen all his beauties, and you do not yet know all his excellence.
The exceeding delightfulness of Christ is suggested to our mind by his declaration, "I am the rose, and I am the lily." And first, he is in himself the delight of men. He speaks not of offices, gifts, works, possessions; but of himself: "I am." Our Lord Jesus is the best of all beings; the dearest, sweetest, fairest, and most charming of all beings that we can think of is the Son of God, our Savior. Come hither, ye poets who dream of beauty, and then try to sing its praises; but your imagination could never reach up to the matchless perfection of his person, neither could your sweetest music ever attain to the full measure of his praise. Think of him as the God-man, God incarnate in human nature, and absolutely perfect; I was going to say something more than that, for there is not only in him all that there ought to be, but there is more than your thoughts or wishes have ever compassed. Eyes need to be trained to see beauty. No man seeth half or a thousandth part of the beauty even of this poor, natural world; but the painter's eye—the eye of Turner, for instance,—can see much more than you or I ever saw. "Oh!" said one, when he looked on one of Turner's landscapes, "I have seen that view every day, but I never saw as much as that in it." "No," replied Turner, "don't you wish you could?" And, when the Spirit of God trains and tutors the eye, it sees in Christ what it never saw before. But, even then, as Turner's eye was not able to see all the mystery of God's beauty in nature, so neither is she most trained and educated Christian able to perceive all the matchless beauty that there is in Christ.
I do not think, brethren, that there is anything about Christ but what should make his people glad. There are dark truths concerning him, such as his bearing our sin; but what a joy it is to us that he did bear it, and put it away for ever! It makes us weep to look at Jesus dying on the cross, but there is more real joy in the tears of repentance than there is in the smiles of worldly mirth. I would choose my heaven to be a heaven of everlasting weeping for sin, sooner than have a heaven—if such a heaven could be,—consisting of perpetual laughing at the mirth of fools. There is more true pleasure in mourning before God than in dancing before the devil. Christ is, then, all beauty; even the dark parts in him are light, and the bitter parts are sweet. He has only to be seen by you, and you must perceive that, whether it be his Godhead or his manhood, whether it be his priesthood, his royalty, or his prophetic office, whether it be on the cross or on the throne, whether it be on earth, or in heaven, or in the glory of his second coming, every way,—
"All over glorious is my Lord,
Must be beloved, and yet ador'd;
His worth if all the nations knew
Sure the whole earth would love him too."
But, next, our Lord is exceedingly delightful to the eye of faith. He not only tells us of what delight is in himself,—"I am the rose, and I am the lily,"—but he thereby tells us that there is something to see in him, for the rose is very pleasing to look upon. Is there a more beautiful sight than a rose that is in bud, or even one that is fullblown? And the lily—what a charming thing it is! It seems to be more a flower of heaven than of earth. Well now, Christ is delightful to the eye of faith. I remember the first time I ever saw him; I shall never forget that sight, and I have seen him many a time since, and my grief is that I ever take off my eyes from him, for it is to look away from the sun into blackness; it is to look away from bliss into misery. To you who look at Christ by faith, a sight of him brings such peace, such rest, such hope, as no other sight can ever afford; it so sweetens everything, so entirely takes away the bitterness of life, and brings us to anticipate the glory of the life that is to come, that I am sure you say, "Yes, yes; the figure in the text is quite correct; there is a beauty in Jesus to the eye of faith, he is indeed red as the rose and white as the lily."
And, next, the Lord Jesus Christ is delightful in the savor which comes from him to us. In him is a delicious, varied, abiding fragrance which is very delightful to the spiritual nostril. Smell is, I suppose, a kind of delicate feeling; minute particles of certain substances touch sensitive membranes, and we call the sensation that is produced smelling. It is a mysterious sense; you can understand sight and hearing better than you can understand smelling. There is a spiritual way of perceiving the savor of Christ; I cannot explain it to you, but there is an ineffable mysterious sweetness that proceeds from him which touches the spiritual senses, and affords supreme delight; and as the body has its nose, and its tender nerves that can appreciate sweet odours, so the soul has its spiritual nostril by which, though Christ be at a distance, it yet can perceive the fragrant emanations that come from him, and is delighted therewith.
What is there that comes from Christ, from day to day, but his truth, his Spirit, his influence, his promises, his doctrines, his words of cheer? All these have a heavenly sweetness, and make us, with the psalmist, say to our Lord, "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad." Whenever these sweet odours are wafted down to us, they make us also glad; anything that has the savor of Christ in it is sweet to a Christian. If Christ has touched it, let me put it in my bosom, and keep it there as a sweet forget-me-not, until I see his face in glory. Ay, the very stones he sat on, I was about to say, the very mountains at which he looked, have become dear to us. We have no idolatrous or superstitious reverence for Palestine, or even for the garden in which he sweat great drops of blood; but for spiritual things with which he has to do, we have a never-ceasing reverence and affection. Everything that comes from him is wondrous as the songs of the angels must have been to the shepherds of Bethlehem, and sweet to the taste as the manna that dropped from the skies around Israel's desert camp. Yes, brethren and sisters, there is a sweet savor about the Lord Jesus Christ; do you all perceive it?
Once more, in all that he is, Christ is the choicest of the choice. You notice, the Bridegroom says, "I am the rose." Yes, but there were some particularly beautiful roses that grew in the valley of Sharon; "I am that rose," said he. And there were some delightful lilies in Palestine; it is a land of lilies, there are so many of them that nobody knows which lily Christ meant, and it does not at all signify, for almost all lilies are wondrously beautiful. "But," said he, "I am the lily of the valleys," the choicest kind of lily that grew where the soil was fat and damp with the overflow of mountain streams. "I am the lily of the valleys:" that is to say, Christ is not only good, but he is the best; and he is not only the best, but he is the best of the best. He is a flower; ay, but he is a rose, that is the queen of flowers; ay, but then he is the best rose there is, he is the rose of Sharon. He is a Savior, and a great one; yea, the only Savior. He is a Husband; but what a Husband! Was there ever such a Bridegroom as Christ Jesus the Lord? He is the Head; but father Adam was a poor head compared with him. He is inexpressibly, unutterably, indescribably lovely; I might as well leave off talking about him, for I cannot hope to set him forth as he deserves. If you could but see him, I would leave off, for I am sure I should be only hanging a veil before him with the choicest words that I could possibly use. Suppose you had a dear son, or husband, or friend, far away, and that I was a painter who could carry pictures in my mind's eye, and then draw them to the very life. If I stood here, trying to paint your well-beloved friend, laying on my colors with all the skill I possessed, and doing my best to reproduce his features; suppose, while I was at work, that the door at the back was opened, and he came in, I should cry out, "Oh, stop, stop, stop! Let me put away my canvas, let me pack up my brushes and my paints. Here is the loved one himself; look at him! Look at him, not at my portrait of him!" And you would rise from your seat, and say, "It is he! It is he! You may talk as long as you like, dear sir, when he is away; but when he is himself here, your talk seems but mere chatter." Well, I shall be quite content that you should think so, I shall be even glad if you do, provided that the reason shall be that you can say, "We have seen the Lord. He has manifested himself to us as he does not unto the world." "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." The best of the best, the fairest of the fair, the sweetest of the sweet, is Jesus Christ to you and to me if we are indeed his people. I cannot say more about the exceeding delightfulness of my Lord; I wish I could.
Friday, May 05, 2006
The Rose and the Lily (Part 2)
II. I must pass on, next, to notice THE SWEET VARIETY OF CHRIST'S DELIGHTFULNESS.
He is not only full of joy, and pleasure, and delight to our hearts, but he is full of all sorts of joy, and all sorts of pleasure, and all sorts of delights to us.
"Nature, to make his beauties known,
Must mingle colors not her own."
The rose is not enough, you must have the lily also, and the two together fall far short of the glories of Christ, the true "Plant of renown."
"I am the rose." That is the emblem of majesty. The rose is the very queen of flowers; in the judgment of all who know what to admire it is enthroned above all the rest of the beauties of the garden. But the lily—what is that? That is the emblem of love. The psalmist hints at this in the title of the forty-fifth Psalm. "Upon Shoshannim, a Song of love." Shoshannim signifies lilies, so the lily-psalm is the love-song, for the lilies, with their beauty, their purity, their delicacy, are a very choice emblem of love. Are you not delighted when you put these two things together, majesty and love? A King upon a throne of love, a Prince, whose very eyes beam with love to those who put their trust in him, a real Head, united by living bonds of love to all his members;—such is our dear Lord and Savior. A rose and yet a lily; I do not know in which of the two I take the greater delight, I prefer to have the two together. When I think that my Savior is King of kings and Lord of lords, I shout, "Hallelujah!" But when I remember that he loved me, and gave himself for me, and that still he loves me, and that he will keep on loving me for ever and ever, there is such a charm in this thought that nothing can excel it. Look at the lily, and sing,—
"Jesu, lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high!
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life be past;
Safe into the haven guide;
Oh receive my soul at last."
Then look at the rose, and sing,—
"All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown him Lord of all;"
then put the rose and the lily together, and let them remind you of Christ's majesty and love. The combination of these sweet flowers also suggests our Lord's suffering and purity.
"White is his soul, from blemish free,
Red with the blood he shed for me."
The rose, with its thorn, reminds us of his suffering, his bleeding love to us, his death on our behalf, his bearing of the thorns which our sin created. Christ is a royal rose beset with thorns; but the lily shows that—
"For sins not his own
He died to atone."
Jesus, when on earth, could say, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." The devil himself could not see a spot or speck in that lovely lily. Jesus Christ is perfection itself, he is all purity; so you must put the two together, the rose and the lily, to show Christ's suffering and perfection, the infinitely pure infinitely suffering. In which of the two do you take the greater delight? Surely, in neither, but in the combination of both; what would be the value of Christ's sufferings if he were not perfect? And of what avail would his perfections be if he had not died, the Just for the unjust, to bring us to God? But the two together, the rose and the lily, suffering and purity, fill us with delight.
Of both of these there is a great variety. I wonder how many different sorts of roses there are, I should not like to have to tell you; they vary exceedingly, perhaps there are as many kinds as there are days in the year. How many varieties of lilies are there? Possibly, there are as many sorts of lilies as there are of roses, for both of them are wonderfully diversified; but the joys that flow from our Lord Jesus Christ are as abundant and as varied as the roses and the lilies. Bring me which rose you please, and I will tell you that it smells sweet; bring which lily you choose, and I will say, "Yes, that also has a delicate perfume; that will do, with the rose, to serve as an emblem of Christ." Our Lord Jesus possesses every kind of beauty and fragrance. "He is all my salvation, and all my desire." All good things meet in Christ; in him all the lines of beauty are focussed. Blessed are they who truly know him.
Further, Christ is the very essence of the sweetness both of the rose and of the lily. When he says, "I am the rose," he means, not only that he is like the rose, but that he made all the sweetness there is in the rose, and it is still in him; and all the sweetness there is in any creature comes to us from Christ, or else it is not sweetness such as we ought to love. I like to look upon the bread I eat as his gift to me, and to bless his providential hand that bestows it. I like to look upon all the landscape on such a fair day as this has been, and to say, "Christ is in all this, giving this charming view to such a poor, unworthy creature as I am." He is in all there is that is good, he is the goodness of all the good there is. He is the very soul of the universe, whatever there is in the universe that is worthy of our soul's love. All good for our soul comes from him, whether it be pardon of sin, or justification, or the sanctification that makes us fit for glory hereafter, Christ is the source of it all; and in the infinite variety of delights that we get from him, he is himself the essence of it all. We can become tired of most things, I suppose that we can become tired of everything earthly; but we shall never tire of Christ. I remember one who, when near his death-hour, forgot even his wife, and she was greatly grieved that he did not recognize her. They whispered in his ear the name of his favourite child; but he shook his head. His oldest friend, who had known him from his boyhood, was not recognized. At last they asked him, "Do you know Jesus Christ?" Then he said, "Ah, yes! and I am going to him." The ruling passion was strong in death; Christ was nearer and dearer to him than those he loved best here. All Bowers will fade, even roses and lilies among them; but not this blessed Rose of Sharon, and Lily of the valleys. Christ does not say, "I was a rose, and I was a lily;" but "I am the rose, and I am the lily." He is now all that he ever was, and he will be in life, in death, and throughout all eternity, to the soul that knows him, an infinite variety of everything that is delightful.
He is not only full of joy, and pleasure, and delight to our hearts, but he is full of all sorts of joy, and all sorts of pleasure, and all sorts of delights to us.
"Nature, to make his beauties known,
Must mingle colors not her own."
The rose is not enough, you must have the lily also, and the two together fall far short of the glories of Christ, the true "Plant of renown."
"I am the rose." That is the emblem of majesty. The rose is the very queen of flowers; in the judgment of all who know what to admire it is enthroned above all the rest of the beauties of the garden. But the lily—what is that? That is the emblem of love. The psalmist hints at this in the title of the forty-fifth Psalm. "Upon Shoshannim, a Song of love." Shoshannim signifies lilies, so the lily-psalm is the love-song, for the lilies, with their beauty, their purity, their delicacy, are a very choice emblem of love. Are you not delighted when you put these two things together, majesty and love? A King upon a throne of love, a Prince, whose very eyes beam with love to those who put their trust in him, a real Head, united by living bonds of love to all his members;—such is our dear Lord and Savior. A rose and yet a lily; I do not know in which of the two I take the greater delight, I prefer to have the two together. When I think that my Savior is King of kings and Lord of lords, I shout, "Hallelujah!" But when I remember that he loved me, and gave himself for me, and that still he loves me, and that he will keep on loving me for ever and ever, there is such a charm in this thought that nothing can excel it. Look at the lily, and sing,—
"Jesu, lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high!
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life be past;
Safe into the haven guide;
Oh receive my soul at last."
Then look at the rose, and sing,—
"All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown him Lord of all;"
then put the rose and the lily together, and let them remind you of Christ's majesty and love. The combination of these sweet flowers also suggests our Lord's suffering and purity.
"White is his soul, from blemish free,
Red with the blood he shed for me."
The rose, with its thorn, reminds us of his suffering, his bleeding love to us, his death on our behalf, his bearing of the thorns which our sin created. Christ is a royal rose beset with thorns; but the lily shows that—
"For sins not his own
He died to atone."
Jesus, when on earth, could say, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." The devil himself could not see a spot or speck in that lovely lily. Jesus Christ is perfection itself, he is all purity; so you must put the two together, the rose and the lily, to show Christ's suffering and perfection, the infinitely pure infinitely suffering. In which of the two do you take the greater delight? Surely, in neither, but in the combination of both; what would be the value of Christ's sufferings if he were not perfect? And of what avail would his perfections be if he had not died, the Just for the unjust, to bring us to God? But the two together, the rose and the lily, suffering and purity, fill us with delight.
Of both of these there is a great variety. I wonder how many different sorts of roses there are, I should not like to have to tell you; they vary exceedingly, perhaps there are as many kinds as there are days in the year. How many varieties of lilies are there? Possibly, there are as many sorts of lilies as there are of roses, for both of them are wonderfully diversified; but the joys that flow from our Lord Jesus Christ are as abundant and as varied as the roses and the lilies. Bring me which rose you please, and I will tell you that it smells sweet; bring which lily you choose, and I will say, "Yes, that also has a delicate perfume; that will do, with the rose, to serve as an emblem of Christ." Our Lord Jesus possesses every kind of beauty and fragrance. "He is all my salvation, and all my desire." All good things meet in Christ; in him all the lines of beauty are focussed. Blessed are they who truly know him.
Further, Christ is the very essence of the sweetness both of the rose and of the lily. When he says, "I am the rose," he means, not only that he is like the rose, but that he made all the sweetness there is in the rose, and it is still in him; and all the sweetness there is in any creature comes to us from Christ, or else it is not sweetness such as we ought to love. I like to look upon the bread I eat as his gift to me, and to bless his providential hand that bestows it. I like to look upon all the landscape on such a fair day as this has been, and to say, "Christ is in all this, giving this charming view to such a poor, unworthy creature as I am." He is in all there is that is good, he is the goodness of all the good there is. He is the very soul of the universe, whatever there is in the universe that is worthy of our soul's love. All good for our soul comes from him, whether it be pardon of sin, or justification, or the sanctification that makes us fit for glory hereafter, Christ is the source of it all; and in the infinite variety of delights that we get from him, he is himself the essence of it all. We can become tired of most things, I suppose that we can become tired of everything earthly; but we shall never tire of Christ. I remember one who, when near his death-hour, forgot even his wife, and she was greatly grieved that he did not recognize her. They whispered in his ear the name of his favourite child; but he shook his head. His oldest friend, who had known him from his boyhood, was not recognized. At last they asked him, "Do you know Jesus Christ?" Then he said, "Ah, yes! and I am going to him." The ruling passion was strong in death; Christ was nearer and dearer to him than those he loved best here. All Bowers will fade, even roses and lilies among them; but not this blessed Rose of Sharon, and Lily of the valleys. Christ does not say, "I was a rose, and I was a lily;" but "I am the rose, and I am the lily." He is now all that he ever was, and he will be in life, in death, and throughout all eternity, to the soul that knows him, an infinite variety of everything that is delightful.
The Rose and the Lily (Part 3)
III. I must now very briefly take up the last head of my discourse, which is, THE EXCEEDING FREENESS OF OUR LORD'S DELIGHTFULNESS.
It is not very pleasant or satisfying for hungry people to stand in the street, and hear someone praising a good meal, of which they cannot get even a taste. I have often noticed boys standing outside a shop window, in which there have been all sorts of dainties; they have flattened their noses against the window-pane, but they have not been able to get anything to eat.
I have been talking about my Master, and I want to show you that he is accessible, he is meant to be plucked and enjoyed as roses and lilies are. He says in the text, "I am the rose of Sharon." What was Sharon? It was an open plain where anybody might wander, and where even cattle roamed at their own sweet will. Jesus is not like a rose in Solomon's garden, shut up within high walls, with broken glass all along the top. Oh, no! he says, "I am the rose of Sharon," everybody's rose, the flower for the common people to come and gather. "I am the lily." What lily? The lily of the palace of Shushan, enclosed and guarded from all approach? No; but, "I am the lily of the valleys," found in this glen, or the other ravine, growing here, there, and everywhere: "I am the lily of the valleys."
Then Christ is as abundant as a common flower. Whatever kind of rose it was, it was a common rose; whatever kind of lily it was, it was a well-known lily that grew freely in the valleys of that land. Oh, blessed be my Master's name, he has brought us a common salvation, and he is the common people's Christ! Men in general do not love him enough, or else they would have hedged him in with all sorts of restrictions; they would have made a franchise for him, and nobody would have been able to be saved except those who paid I know not how much a year in taxes. But they do not love our Lord enough to shut him in, and I am glad they have never tried to do so. There he stands, at the four-cross roads, so that everybody who comes by, and wants him, may have him. He is a fountain, bearing this inscription, "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." Why do roses grow in Sharon? Why do lilies grow in the valleys? Why, to be plucked, of course! I like to see the children go down into the meadow when it is decked in grass, and adorned with flowers, gilded with buttercups, or white with the day's-eyes; I love to see the children pluck the flowers, and fill their pinafores with them, or make garlands, and twist them round their necks, or put them on their heads. "O children, children!" somebody might cry, "do not spoil those beautiful flowers, do not go and pick them." Oh, but they may! nobody says they may not; they may not go into our gardens, and steal the geraniums and the fuchsias; but they may get away into the meadows, or into the open fields, and pluck these common flowers to their heart's content. And now, poor soul, if you would like an apronful of roses, come and have them. If you would like to carry away a big handful of the lilies of the valleys, come and take them, as many as you will. May the Lord give you the will! That is, after all, what is wanted; if there be that grace-given will, the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys will soon be yours. They are common flowers, growing in a common place, and there are plenty of them; will you not take them?
Even to those who do not pluck any, there is one strange thing that must not be forgotten. A man passes by a rose-bush, and says, "I cannot stop to think about roses," but as he goes along he exclaims, "Dear, dear, what a delicious perfume!" A man journeying in the East goes through a field that is full of lilies; he is in a great hurry, but, for all that, he cannot help seeing and smelling the lilies as he rushes through the field. And, do you know, the perfume of Christ has life in it? He is "a savor of life unto life." What does that mean but that the smell of him will save? Ah! if you do but glance at him, though you were so busy that you could not come in till the sermon had begun, yet a glance at this Lily will bring you joy and peace, for he is so free that, often, even when men are not asking for him, he comes to them. "What?" say you, "is it so?" Yes, that it is; such is the freeness of Christ's grace that it is written, "I am found of them that sought me not." He sends his sweet perfume into nostrils that never sniffed after it. He puts himself in the way of eyes that never looked for him. How I wish that some man who has never sought for Christ, might find him even now! You remember the story that Christ tells of the man that was ploughing the field; he was only thinking of the field, and how much corn it would take to sow it; and he was ploughing up and down, when suddenly, his plowshare hit upon something hard. He stopped the oxen, and took his spade, and dug, and there was an old crock, and it was full of gold. Somebody had hidden it away, and left it. This man had never looked for it, for he did not even know it was there, but he had stumbled on it, as men say, by accident. What did he do? He did not tell anybody, but he went off to the man who was the owner of the field, and he said, "What will you take for that field?" "Can you buy it?" "Yes, I want it, what will you take for it?" The price was so high that he had to sell the house he lived in, and his oxen, and his very clothes off his back; but he did not care about that, he bought the field, and he bought the treasure, and then he was able to buy back his clothes, his house, and his oxen, and everything else. If you find Christ, and if you have to sell the coat off your back in order to get him, if you have to give up everything you have that you may find him, you will have such a treasure in him that, for the joy of finding him, you would count all the riches of Egypt to be less than nothing and vanity; but you need not sell the coat off your back, Christ is to be had for nothing, only you must give him yourself. If he gives himself to you, and he becomes your Savior, you must give yourself to him, and become his servant. Trust him, I beseech you, the Lord help you so to do, for Jesus' sake! Amen.
My comment:
The last parable can be read as Mr Spurgeon describes. But I believe it is more accurate to say that the man who gave up everything to buy the field - that is Christ, not us. Our Saviour who laid aside His majesty, gave up everything, the clothes off His back, the blood in His veins, to die on the rugged cross. The Lion became the sacrificial lamb - for us.
It is not very pleasant or satisfying for hungry people to stand in the street, and hear someone praising a good meal, of which they cannot get even a taste. I have often noticed boys standing outside a shop window, in which there have been all sorts of dainties; they have flattened their noses against the window-pane, but they have not been able to get anything to eat.
I have been talking about my Master, and I want to show you that he is accessible, he is meant to be plucked and enjoyed as roses and lilies are. He says in the text, "I am the rose of Sharon." What was Sharon? It was an open plain where anybody might wander, and where even cattle roamed at their own sweet will. Jesus is not like a rose in Solomon's garden, shut up within high walls, with broken glass all along the top. Oh, no! he says, "I am the rose of Sharon," everybody's rose, the flower for the common people to come and gather. "I am the lily." What lily? The lily of the palace of Shushan, enclosed and guarded from all approach? No; but, "I am the lily of the valleys," found in this glen, or the other ravine, growing here, there, and everywhere: "I am the lily of the valleys."
Then Christ is as abundant as a common flower. Whatever kind of rose it was, it was a common rose; whatever kind of lily it was, it was a well-known lily that grew freely in the valleys of that land. Oh, blessed be my Master's name, he has brought us a common salvation, and he is the common people's Christ! Men in general do not love him enough, or else they would have hedged him in with all sorts of restrictions; they would have made a franchise for him, and nobody would have been able to be saved except those who paid I know not how much a year in taxes. But they do not love our Lord enough to shut him in, and I am glad they have never tried to do so. There he stands, at the four-cross roads, so that everybody who comes by, and wants him, may have him. He is a fountain, bearing this inscription, "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." Why do roses grow in Sharon? Why do lilies grow in the valleys? Why, to be plucked, of course! I like to see the children go down into the meadow when it is decked in grass, and adorned with flowers, gilded with buttercups, or white with the day's-eyes; I love to see the children pluck the flowers, and fill their pinafores with them, or make garlands, and twist them round their necks, or put them on their heads. "O children, children!" somebody might cry, "do not spoil those beautiful flowers, do not go and pick them." Oh, but they may! nobody says they may not; they may not go into our gardens, and steal the geraniums and the fuchsias; but they may get away into the meadows, or into the open fields, and pluck these common flowers to their heart's content. And now, poor soul, if you would like an apronful of roses, come and have them. If you would like to carry away a big handful of the lilies of the valleys, come and take them, as many as you will. May the Lord give you the will! That is, after all, what is wanted; if there be that grace-given will, the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys will soon be yours. They are common flowers, growing in a common place, and there are plenty of them; will you not take them?
Even to those who do not pluck any, there is one strange thing that must not be forgotten. A man passes by a rose-bush, and says, "I cannot stop to think about roses," but as he goes along he exclaims, "Dear, dear, what a delicious perfume!" A man journeying in the East goes through a field that is full of lilies; he is in a great hurry, but, for all that, he cannot help seeing and smelling the lilies as he rushes through the field. And, do you know, the perfume of Christ has life in it? He is "a savor of life unto life." What does that mean but that the smell of him will save? Ah! if you do but glance at him, though you were so busy that you could not come in till the sermon had begun, yet a glance at this Lily will bring you joy and peace, for he is so free that, often, even when men are not asking for him, he comes to them. "What?" say you, "is it so?" Yes, that it is; such is the freeness of Christ's grace that it is written, "I am found of them that sought me not." He sends his sweet perfume into nostrils that never sniffed after it. He puts himself in the way of eyes that never looked for him. How I wish that some man who has never sought for Christ, might find him even now! You remember the story that Christ tells of the man that was ploughing the field; he was only thinking of the field, and how much corn it would take to sow it; and he was ploughing up and down, when suddenly, his plowshare hit upon something hard. He stopped the oxen, and took his spade, and dug, and there was an old crock, and it was full of gold. Somebody had hidden it away, and left it. This man had never looked for it, for he did not even know it was there, but he had stumbled on it, as men say, by accident. What did he do? He did not tell anybody, but he went off to the man who was the owner of the field, and he said, "What will you take for that field?" "Can you buy it?" "Yes, I want it, what will you take for it?" The price was so high that he had to sell the house he lived in, and his oxen, and his very clothes off his back; but he did not care about that, he bought the field, and he bought the treasure, and then he was able to buy back his clothes, his house, and his oxen, and everything else. If you find Christ, and if you have to sell the coat off your back in order to get him, if you have to give up everything you have that you may find him, you will have such a treasure in him that, for the joy of finding him, you would count all the riches of Egypt to be less than nothing and vanity; but you need not sell the coat off your back, Christ is to be had for nothing, only you must give him yourself. If he gives himself to you, and he becomes your Savior, you must give yourself to him, and become his servant. Trust him, I beseech you, the Lord help you so to do, for Jesus' sake! Amen.
My comment:
The last parable can be read as Mr Spurgeon describes. But I believe it is more accurate to say that the man who gave up everything to buy the field - that is Christ, not us. Our Saviour who laid aside His majesty, gave up everything, the clothes off His back, the blood in His veins, to die on the rugged cross. The Lion became the sacrificial lamb - for us.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Hearts burning
What happened to radical Christianity, the un-nice brand of Christianity that turned the world upside-down? What happened to the category-smashing, life-threatening, anti-institutional gospel that spread through the first century like wildfire and was considered (by those in power) dangerous? What happened to the kind of Christians whose hearts were on fire, who had no fear, who spoke the truth no matter what the consequence, who made the world uncomfortable, who were willing to follow Jesus wherever He went? What happened to the kind of Christians who were filled with passion and gratitude, and who everyday were unable to get over the grace of God?
Michael Yaconelli (minister, author)
Michael Yaconelli (minister, author)
Association
Reading a sister's post today, I'm reminded about the importance of association.
It's okay to fellowship with all brethren. But it's important to spend time with those who are able to build you up - whose companionship ministers. Iron sharpens iron.
People are not perfect. There are some people that after spending time with them, though enjoyable, takes away faith. It's perfectly all right to fellowship but when it comes to issues like guarding my heart, I place that in higher priority than friendship alone.
I know, it's the shalom peace of God that guards my heart. So follow where there's peace. Where there's no peace, do not continue.
Not all friendships edify. So it's important to value friends by the words they speak. (the last thing I want, is someone speaking bad over my life and dropping rotten seeds into my heart, even unintentionally)
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)
He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3)
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:22-24)
Association. So important:-
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
Note, it doesn't say, a companion of the ungodly. So one can be godly (since it is the gift of righteousness) and be a fool (having the holy spirit does not mean one is automatically wise. That's why Paul prayed that for the Ephesus church to receive the spirit of wisdom - Ephesians 1:17)
Believers should seek wisdom. But not all believers do. And one can tell from their spoken words...
Note also, elsewhere it says blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly (Psalms 1:1) The wisdom one seeks should be from the Lord - sarkal, not harkim (spelling?) wisdom.
It's okay to fellowship with all brethren. But it's important to spend time with those who are able to build you up - whose companionship ministers. Iron sharpens iron.
People are not perfect. There are some people that after spending time with them, though enjoyable, takes away faith. It's perfectly all right to fellowship but when it comes to issues like guarding my heart, I place that in higher priority than friendship alone.
I know, it's the shalom peace of God that guards my heart. So follow where there's peace. Where there's no peace, do not continue.
Not all friendships edify. So it's important to value friends by the words they speak. (the last thing I want, is someone speaking bad over my life and dropping rotten seeds into my heart, even unintentionally)
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)
He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3)
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:22-24)
Association. So important:-
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
Note, it doesn't say, a companion of the ungodly. So one can be godly (since it is the gift of righteousness) and be a fool (having the holy spirit does not mean one is automatically wise. That's why Paul prayed that for the Ephesus church to receive the spirit of wisdom - Ephesians 1:17)
Believers should seek wisdom. But not all believers do. And one can tell from their spoken words...
Note also, elsewhere it says blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly (Psalms 1:1) The wisdom one seeks should be from the Lord - sarkal, not harkim (spelling?) wisdom.
Have you?
Loved worship during chapel in primary school. This is my fave song then. Have really fond memories of it. I didn't think much of the preaching but I really enjoyed the singing. And as I recall, He tells me that He enjoyed me enjoying the singing. Feel the warm fuzzy feelings coming on... :)
This song really spoke to me, especially in times when I feel lonely.
Have you ever talked to God above?
Tell Him that you need a friend to love
pray in Jesus' name believing that
God answers prayers?
Have you told Him all your cares and woes?
Every tiny little fear He knows
You can know He always hear and
He will answer prayers
Have you whispered in a crowd to Him?
Cried aloud when you're alone with Him
You don't have to pray out loud to Him
He knows your thoughts...
On a lofty mountain peak
He's there
In a meadow by a stream
He's there
Everywhere on earth you go
He's been there from the start
Find the answer in His Word
It's true
You'll be strong because He walks
with you
By His faithfulness He'll change you too
God answers prayers
This song really spoke to me, especially in times when I feel lonely.
Have you ever talked to God above?
Tell Him that you need a friend to love
pray in Jesus' name believing that
God answers prayers?
Have you told Him all your cares and woes?
Every tiny little fear He knows
You can know He always hear and
He will answer prayers
Have you whispered in a crowd to Him?
Cried aloud when you're alone with Him
You don't have to pray out loud to Him
He knows your thoughts...
On a lofty mountain peak
He's there
In a meadow by a stream
He's there
Everywhere on earth you go
He's been there from the start
Find the answer in His Word
It's true
You'll be strong because He walks
with you
By His faithfulness He'll change you too
God answers prayers
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Bless those
I was nursing a 'mosquito bite' these past two days.
Got irritated by someone and thought it was really 'big' of me not to retaliate. 'See?' I told myself a little smugly, 'I'm putting what Pastor preached into practise by turning the other cheek.' And then proceeded to write a post on it.
Lord, I repent.
Realised that post was a practise in self-indulgence and took it off-line.
I was on my great white throne musing about how magnanimous I was, whilst at the back of my mind thinking, "just let him try it again and see how christian I can be!" It occurred to me a little belatedly, that I'm letting it bother me. And it bothered me that I'm letting it bother me.
Then, out of the blue, the Lord said to me, "Bless him"
My immediate reaction was, "what?! Bless him? That stoopid guy? You want me to bless him?" I spluttered.
Ahhh.. so christian, so mature right? *sigh* am only human.
But because Abba had 'asked' me, I had to choke the words out. I sure didn't want to say it, so I labelled it "in Jesus' name".
So I went, "In the name of Jesus, I bless you XYZ with blessings - that the Lord may open the eyes of your heart; in the name of Jesus, blessings will come upon you..."
I was aware all the time I was saying it that I was speaking as a royal priest. And I sure didn't want them blessings that I'm saying coming upon him. :S Alas! Royal priest, what to do? Good as done :D
But strangely, it got easier the more I said it. And that mosquito bite that I was nursing in my heart subsided. My heart got lighter and lighter. Lighter than it was previously when I tried to "cast" it to the Lord.
The spiritual truth is that bad things happen to people who curse Christians - and we have to bless them to reverse this natural effect. (I've heard of an actual incident before)
And I understood, practically, what Pastor meant when he taught, "bless those who curse you."
When we bless and release the power of words, it frees us by releasing that grudge. Even though I knew I was nursing a grudge, I couldn't help myself. I wanted to let go, but I didn't want to. Confusing right? I'm ashamed to admit it's sickeningly 'shiok' to nurse one.
So when Abba said, "Bless him", I did that in sullen obedience. Did it only because Jesus wanted me to and because I loved Him.
Labelled the words "in the name of Jesus" and subconsciously recognising that I know I don't want to bless, but He can. And when He takes over..allowing me to speak His rhema words, wow, light as a feather and out of mind! :D
Got irritated by someone and thought it was really 'big' of me not to retaliate. 'See?' I told myself a little smugly, 'I'm putting what Pastor preached into practise by turning the other cheek.' And then proceeded to write a post on it.
Lord, I repent.
Realised that post was a practise in self-indulgence and took it off-line.
I was on my great white throne musing about how magnanimous I was, whilst at the back of my mind thinking, "just let him try it again and see how christian I can be!" It occurred to me a little belatedly, that I'm letting it bother me. And it bothered me that I'm letting it bother me.
Then, out of the blue, the Lord said to me, "Bless him"
My immediate reaction was, "what?! Bless him? That stoopid guy? You want me to bless him?" I spluttered.
Ahhh.. so christian, so mature right? *sigh* am only human.
But because Abba had 'asked' me, I had to choke the words out. I sure didn't want to say it, so I labelled it "in Jesus' name".
So I went, "In the name of Jesus, I bless you XYZ with blessings - that the Lord may open the eyes of your heart; in the name of Jesus, blessings will come upon you..."
I was aware all the time I was saying it that I was speaking as a royal priest. And I sure didn't want them blessings that I'm saying coming upon him. :S Alas! Royal priest, what to do? Good as done :D
But strangely, it got easier the more I said it. And that mosquito bite that I was nursing in my heart subsided. My heart got lighter and lighter. Lighter than it was previously when I tried to "cast" it to the Lord.
The spiritual truth is that bad things happen to people who curse Christians - and we have to bless them to reverse this natural effect. (I've heard of an actual incident before)
And I understood, practically, what Pastor meant when he taught, "bless those who curse you."
When we bless and release the power of words, it frees us by releasing that grudge. Even though I knew I was nursing a grudge, I couldn't help myself. I wanted to let go, but I didn't want to. Confusing right? I'm ashamed to admit it's sickeningly 'shiok' to nurse one.
So when Abba said, "Bless him", I did that in sullen obedience. Did it only because Jesus wanted me to and because I loved Him.
Labelled the words "in the name of Jesus" and subconsciously recognising that I know I don't want to bless, but He can. And when He takes over..allowing me to speak His rhema words, wow, light as a feather and out of mind! :D
For thou, O Lord
Was listening to a YAM sermon by Pastor Chin. And there was such an anointing at the end. I love it how those services end in worship, when the anointing would fall, people be prayed for, a season of flowing in tongues - and in the midst of this particular worship caught on tape, the worship team was in the background singing this part of the hymn over and over again, like a victorious anthem!
For thou, O Lord
art a shield for me
You're the glory
and the lifter of my head!
For thou, O Lord
art a shield for me
You're the glory
and the lifter of my head!
For thou, O Lord
art a shield for me
You're the glory
and the lifter of my head!
For thou, O Lord
art a shield for me
You're the glory
and the lifter of my head!
For thou, O Lord
art a shield for me
You're the glory
and the lifter of my head!
For thou, O Lord
art a shield for me
You're the glory
and the lifter of my head!
Chit-chat
Abba, it's one of them blah days that I've wasted at home.
In fact, it started off with good intentions. Wanted to get lots of work done, get a good book to read and of course, quiet time in the Word. But in the end...?
And it being such a boring day, I didn't feel quite like talking to you. No energy. Not inspired. Just bleh leh...
You know I'm getting lazy when I lapse into Singlish.
Hmmm... what do you think of the elections Abba? I'm a little nochalent about it. Not voting this time round. But it's like, hardly hear a peep from anyone, then in the last month, such a furore of action. I don't like the PAP harping on Gomez, but they do have a point. Especially tonight when I was watching the news. He did seem like he was playing it up for the media in asking the Elections department for his 'submitted' form.
Okay, let's not talk politics. It's a little droll.
So what's the plan up in heaven? Like when are you coming back Lord? Which reminds me, I must get last last week's CD on the shaking.
Oh, and when Pastor preached about Mount Sinai - that mountain that quakes and trembles - man, it was such a terrifying sight. The purity of the law and all it's glory. Gosh, I was 'scared' and so so thankful for the cross. How can man aspire to perfection and holiness - whose standard is so way above our capabilities. Wow, when Pastor brought forth the terror of the law, in all it's demands... The law brings fear and inadequacy.
I was thinking Abba, of doing a study of Romans and Galatians.. but what say You? I love the way Paul writes. Oh, he's passionate and deliberate in his arguments - at times pleading, demanding, cajoling, proclaiming!
Give me Your stability and wisdom Lord. To grow in wisdom and favour with God and men - like You Lord. Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of truth and wisdom. I invite You to reveal Yourself in my heart.
Lord, I know You are a gentleman but let it not be said that I'm hard of hearing. But write Your laws in my heart. You said that none such teach me, know the Lord! So Abba, You teach me! You be the one to reveal to me, revelation knowledge of the beauty and perfection of Jesus and the power and mystery of the Holy Spirit.
What does it mean by having the Holy Spirit, God Himself residing in me?
What does it mean, Christ in me, the hope of glory?
Let it be more than mere words alone but transform it into life! Effect in me, work out from me Your salvation.
Would Your goodness cause me to tremble? To fall on my knees?
I do not know Lord. You are at once, El-Shaddai, Jehovah, Adonai - but You are also my Abba, my Yeshua and the gentle Holy Spirit. The latter, as a dove, as a mighty rushing wind. Oh, You speak in a still small voice to me, but You are all power and majesty.
That at Your name, every knee shall bow, and every tongue declare You are Lord! What sort of power and majesty can command such awe?
Do I know the victory that I already have? What it means to reign in life? What is the gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace?
Do I know how much the cross avails for me? Ahhh! I want to appropriate more! I hunger for more! I thirst for more in a tangible tangible way. Inexplicable, inexpressible. To be closer to thee! To enjoy thee! To be One in spirit and in truth! In might and in power! To experience Your glory!
My Father, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
In fact, it started off with good intentions. Wanted to get lots of work done, get a good book to read and of course, quiet time in the Word. But in the end...?
And it being such a boring day, I didn't feel quite like talking to you. No energy. Not inspired. Just bleh leh...
You know I'm getting lazy when I lapse into Singlish.
Hmmm... what do you think of the elections Abba? I'm a little nochalent about it. Not voting this time round. But it's like, hardly hear a peep from anyone, then in the last month, such a furore of action. I don't like the PAP harping on Gomez, but they do have a point. Especially tonight when I was watching the news. He did seem like he was playing it up for the media in asking the Elections department for his 'submitted' form.
Okay, let's not talk politics. It's a little droll.
So what's the plan up in heaven? Like when are you coming back Lord? Which reminds me, I must get last last week's CD on the shaking.
Oh, and when Pastor preached about Mount Sinai - that mountain that quakes and trembles - man, it was such a terrifying sight. The purity of the law and all it's glory. Gosh, I was 'scared' and so so thankful for the cross. How can man aspire to perfection and holiness - whose standard is so way above our capabilities. Wow, when Pastor brought forth the terror of the law, in all it's demands... The law brings fear and inadequacy.
I was thinking Abba, of doing a study of Romans and Galatians.. but what say You? I love the way Paul writes. Oh, he's passionate and deliberate in his arguments - at times pleading, demanding, cajoling, proclaiming!
Give me Your stability and wisdom Lord. To grow in wisdom and favour with God and men - like You Lord. Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of truth and wisdom. I invite You to reveal Yourself in my heart.
Lord, I know You are a gentleman but let it not be said that I'm hard of hearing. But write Your laws in my heart. You said that none such teach me, know the Lord! So Abba, You teach me! You be the one to reveal to me, revelation knowledge of the beauty and perfection of Jesus and the power and mystery of the Holy Spirit.
What does it mean by having the Holy Spirit, God Himself residing in me?
What does it mean, Christ in me, the hope of glory?
Let it be more than mere words alone but transform it into life! Effect in me, work out from me Your salvation.
Would Your goodness cause me to tremble? To fall on my knees?
I do not know Lord. You are at once, El-Shaddai, Jehovah, Adonai - but You are also my Abba, my Yeshua and the gentle Holy Spirit. The latter, as a dove, as a mighty rushing wind. Oh, You speak in a still small voice to me, but You are all power and majesty.
That at Your name, every knee shall bow, and every tongue declare You are Lord! What sort of power and majesty can command such awe?
Do I know the victory that I already have? What it means to reign in life? What is the gift of righteousness and the abundance of grace?
Do I know how much the cross avails for me? Ahhh! I want to appropriate more! I hunger for more! I thirst for more in a tangible tangible way. Inexplicable, inexpressible. To be closer to thee! To enjoy thee! To be One in spirit and in truth! In might and in power! To experience Your glory!
My Father, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Longing
I was thinking of one of my favourite hymns. It was inspired by one of the psalms.
As the deer panteth for the water
so my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship You
For You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone, may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship You
I'm quoting Psalm 42 in the King James Version which I find really beautiful. The psalm is actually 'darker' than the hymn. But what I like about the psalms is that it's so real and passionate. These are real challenges that the psalmist is going through. And yet in all, He did not turn away from the Lord.
Sometimes, when all else fails, surely, the only refuge and hope and source of comfort is in the Lord. For without Him, what is life? All then, what awaits then, is death and darkness.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God
Have you ever came to a place, when you are aware that you thirst?
Not everyone is aware. It manifest itself as a sense of meaningless with life, a vacuum in the soul, a disquiet unknown disastisfaction. My friend, you are thirsting.... as I had.
My soul panteth. It longeth for the Lord. To drink after the living waters and be filled. And rested. And in peace.
As the deer panteth for the water
so my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship You
For You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone, may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship You
I'm quoting Psalm 42 in the King James Version which I find really beautiful. The psalm is actually 'darker' than the hymn. But what I like about the psalms is that it's so real and passionate. These are real challenges that the psalmist is going through. And yet in all, He did not turn away from the Lord.
Sometimes, when all else fails, surely, the only refuge and hope and source of comfort is in the Lord. For without Him, what is life? All then, what awaits then, is death and darkness.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God
Have you ever came to a place, when you are aware that you thirst?
Not everyone is aware. It manifest itself as a sense of meaningless with life, a vacuum in the soul, a disquiet unknown disastisfaction. My friend, you are thirsting.... as I had.
My soul panteth. It longeth for the Lord. To drink after the living waters and be filled. And rested. And in peace.
Forever
Actually, this song is called "All Heaven declares"
But what struck me today at worship is, because of us, because of me, He'll forever be the Lamb.
God was never a human being. Being Almighty God - I mean, look around you, the beauty, vastness and majesty of creation - came from God! To give all that divine power up to take on human form, confined and small. The Lion of Judah, became a lamb. The God of the Universe became a sacrifice.
Pastor Lian shared something. She said the measure of love (yes, love can be measured), is in how much Someone is willing to give up. Imagine what God was willing to give up. Not only in terms of power and all, but what He was willing to undergo.
The perfection and the holiness taking on and becoming sin itself. How that must have tortured His spirit. Indeed, His physical suffering (think of The Passion) must have been only a fraction of what He must have been going through in the spiritual realm. And for that reason, I kneel before Him in worship and adoration!
Forever You will be!
The Lamb upon the throne
I gladly bow my knees
and worship You alone!
All heaven declares
the glory of the risen Lord
Who can compare
with the beauty of the Lord
But what struck me today at worship is, because of us, because of me, He'll forever be the Lamb.
God was never a human being. Being Almighty God - I mean, look around you, the beauty, vastness and majesty of creation - came from God! To give all that divine power up to take on human form, confined and small. The Lion of Judah, became a lamb. The God of the Universe became a sacrifice.
Pastor Lian shared something. She said the measure of love (yes, love can be measured), is in how much Someone is willing to give up. Imagine what God was willing to give up. Not only in terms of power and all, but what He was willing to undergo.
The perfection and the holiness taking on and becoming sin itself. How that must have tortured His spirit. Indeed, His physical suffering (think of The Passion) must have been only a fraction of what He must have been going through in the spiritual realm. And for that reason, I kneel before Him in worship and adoration!
Forever You will be!
The Lamb upon the throne
I gladly bow my knees
and worship You alone!
All heaven declares
the glory of the risen Lord
Who can compare
with the beauty of the Lord
Friday, April 28, 2006
Prayer before sleep
It's 2 am in the morning Lord. I don't know why I'm still in front of the computer. Got a long day ahead tomorrow. Running! Urgh, I'm not very enthusiastic about running. :(
So be with me Lord.
Fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Hmm.. what's it all about? Ah well.. I'm going to rest in You and obey You and I don't know how I ought to pray Lord, so I'll pray in tongues, for it is the rest and the refreshing.
My lids are a little heavy, but I'm reluctant to go to bed. Just want to linger a little more in Your presence. Today, You feel comforting to me.
Abba, I decided to dwell in things and words that edify me. I'm not going to force myself but shall just be like a sheep and follow the life within me. Give me the revelation of what it means to have You as my Shepherd.
I'm looking forward to the sign language class on Saturday. Well, I guess it's more of a background class than the actual sign language itself. Still, quite excited.
And You do remember my shopping list? When do we go shopping? When do I get that iPod? hee.. also that Nokia phone and that spa retreat.. :)
Lord, I declare that I'll lose the fats in all the right places tomorrow. Oh.. there was this funny article in the newspapers today about bosoms and all. And I'm reminded when I carry a toddler on my lap and he's facing me and resting his head on my bosom, so naturally and comfortable - well, it's a tender picture isn't it? Of softness and warmth - a womanly comfort - a different sort of gentleness from a father's. Hmmm...
Did you laugh when I mused that it's not a man I want but a family? Ahh.. You know what I mean.. LOL
Just crossed my mind, today's sermon about human love - saccharine sweet and unreliable.
Abba, give me an understanding heart. Fill me with the spirit of wisdom Lord. Let the law of kindness be on my lips. Teach me to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. You said that length of days are in wisdom's right hand and on her left, is honour and pleasures forevermore. With long life You satisfy me, and show me Your Yeshua.
Oh, it'll be a pleasure to wake up to goodness and mercy pursuing and hunting me down all the days of my life.
Oh Lord, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. To rest in Your glory and sing praises to Your name.
Isn't it some kind of wonderful? It just struck me that whoa, it's eternal life starting now! And it's Your zoe life.
That You love me so much, You would protect me from ALL my enemies. And that includes my flesh. Not me Lord, You. I'm Your sheep Lord, totally reliant on You.
You beloved daughter, in whom You are well pleased! :)
Did I ever thank You Abba.. how much Your support means to me? How much Your belief in me means to me? To have Someone believe in me regardless of my failures. To have Your love unceasing regardless of the times I let You down. No wonder the bible says, Your love ENDURETH.
Have I tested You much Lord? Yet You still delight in me.
Am I always on Your mind Lord? Tell me again...
You are my strength, my hope. The tower that I lean on. The refuge I run to.
Beautiful Lord,
Wonderful Saviour,
I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands,
crafted into Your perfect plans
How come You're always joking with AJ Lord? What about me? Show me more of Your humour Lord, You know I like to be jolly. I love Your tender, wry, sparkling, ironic humour. All creation has Your fingerprints. The giraffe, the elephant and the many-handed octopus. Tell me a joke everyday?
Amaze me Lord with Your creation everyday?
Embrace me, kiss me, love me, hold me - keep me still in Your comfort my Love.
My Lord, my King, my Saviour, my Yeshua, my Best Friend.
I love You.
So be with me Lord.
Fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Hmm.. what's it all about? Ah well.. I'm going to rest in You and obey You and I don't know how I ought to pray Lord, so I'll pray in tongues, for it is the rest and the refreshing.
My lids are a little heavy, but I'm reluctant to go to bed. Just want to linger a little more in Your presence. Today, You feel comforting to me.
Abba, I decided to dwell in things and words that edify me. I'm not going to force myself but shall just be like a sheep and follow the life within me. Give me the revelation of what it means to have You as my Shepherd.
I'm looking forward to the sign language class on Saturday. Well, I guess it's more of a background class than the actual sign language itself. Still, quite excited.
And You do remember my shopping list? When do we go shopping? When do I get that iPod? hee.. also that Nokia phone and that spa retreat.. :)
Lord, I declare that I'll lose the fats in all the right places tomorrow. Oh.. there was this funny article in the newspapers today about bosoms and all. And I'm reminded when I carry a toddler on my lap and he's facing me and resting his head on my bosom, so naturally and comfortable - well, it's a tender picture isn't it? Of softness and warmth - a womanly comfort - a different sort of gentleness from a father's. Hmmm...
Did you laugh when I mused that it's not a man I want but a family? Ahh.. You know what I mean.. LOL
Just crossed my mind, today's sermon about human love - saccharine sweet and unreliable.
Abba, give me an understanding heart. Fill me with the spirit of wisdom Lord. Let the law of kindness be on my lips. Teach me to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. You said that length of days are in wisdom's right hand and on her left, is honour and pleasures forevermore. With long life You satisfy me, and show me Your Yeshua.
Oh, it'll be a pleasure to wake up to goodness and mercy pursuing and hunting me down all the days of my life.
Oh Lord, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. To rest in Your glory and sing praises to Your name.
Isn't it some kind of wonderful? It just struck me that whoa, it's eternal life starting now! And it's Your zoe life.
That You love me so much, You would protect me from ALL my enemies. And that includes my flesh. Not me Lord, You. I'm Your sheep Lord, totally reliant on You.
You beloved daughter, in whom You are well pleased! :)
Did I ever thank You Abba.. how much Your support means to me? How much Your belief in me means to me? To have Someone believe in me regardless of my failures. To have Your love unceasing regardless of the times I let You down. No wonder the bible says, Your love ENDURETH.
Have I tested You much Lord? Yet You still delight in me.
Am I always on Your mind Lord? Tell me again...
You are my strength, my hope. The tower that I lean on. The refuge I run to.
Beautiful Lord,
Wonderful Saviour,
I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands,
crafted into Your perfect plans
How come You're always joking with AJ Lord? What about me? Show me more of Your humour Lord, You know I like to be jolly. I love Your tender, wry, sparkling, ironic humour. All creation has Your fingerprints. The giraffe, the elephant and the many-handed octopus. Tell me a joke everyday?
Amaze me Lord with Your creation everyday?
Embrace me, kiss me, love me, hold me - keep me still in Your comfort my Love.
My Lord, my King, my Saviour, my Yeshua, my Best Friend.
I love You.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Theology, philosophy, edification
Theology
I am no theologian. So these are only my observations.
I think it's important, in particular for a Christian, NOT to be a theologian.
Theology teaches you ABOUT God.
Being a Christian. Well, it's BEING. And Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship.
When you're in a relationship, you KNOW someone.
How does the bible talk about knowing? How does the Word define "to know"?
It is in the context of "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain"(Genesis 4:1). The most intimate of knowing.
To KNOW God - the most intimate of knowledge.
Whoa. Hope I didn't shock some of you. I mean it.
What did you think?
The bible talks about man and woman being one flesh in the context of marriage and sex.
It talks about the church being the bride of Christ.
It talks about being in ONE spirit with Him.
Theology only talks ABOUT God. The last thing a Christian should do is talk about God. The revelation of the KNOWledge of Him satisfies the soul.
How? When? It's when you, O beloved child of God; you, the bride without spot or wrinkle, KNOWS God. Intimately.
Who He is? What He likes? What kind of conversationalist is He? His personality. His character.
Don't study God as if He were some kind of species - which is what I feel theology sometimes does.
It robs the people of the closeness of a relationship with the One who gave Himself for love and pushes Him so far away by examining Him as if He were someThing. Omnipotent, omniscience etc etc.. Awful! How does this improve my relationship with God?
How do you develop a relationship with anyone?
You talk, you share experiences, you cry, you laugh, you grow up, you recall, you rely, depend, trust, believe.
What makes you think a relationship with God is any different?
Philosophy
Oh dear, philosophy. What can I say about philosophy. But for the grace of God, I guess I'll be a philosopher..
For thousands of years, philosophy has posted its arguments in various permutations. And all it has shown is how well it can build its own maze and get lost in it. The futility of it all is like a cat chasing its tail. Because even when you 'get it', you don't.
Philosophy tickles the mind. Makes one feel very intellectual. As if one is getting somewhere. But really, philosophy is like running on a threadmill. People feel good with all the effort put in and happy in drawing their own conclusions. Conclusions which do not benefit anyone.
Philosophy is all about THE question. The meaning of life? Creation. Salvation. Karma. Mankind. Harmony. Balance etc...
Philosophy is kindergarten in relation to the depth and richness that can be plowed and harvested from the soul. It uses the mind in an attempt to bridge its way to the heart and feed it. I'm so impatient with it because it's futile.
Again, I'm no philosopher. And there's a reason I disdain it.
Basically, all arguments, all studies that purport to reach into the psyche should be able to do so. But hundreds, dare I say, thousands of years have come and gone, and people are still pondering the same questions.
Edifying
What IS edification?
Whatever gives LIFE!
You may think it's a strange definition. Every human being wants 'closure'. We like our line of 'argument' (for lack of a better word) to get somewhere.
But only truth is definite. Be it scientific truth etc.. I want to KNOW something concrete and NOT speculation. So I am impatient with theories and opinions.
It's really strange 'cos a discussion of the Word unveils mysteries and beautiful truths that we feed on. Where words are alive and living and we just sink our teeth into them and meditate. It ends with an answer. An answer that is not an end in itself but is so rich that it brings forth more questions that we feed on, knowing that the answers the we dig into will be richer. It's like digging for gold and actually getting it.
Theology and philosophy starts with a question and ends with more questions. Heavy as gravity and dank with the musk of open-ended arguments that lead no where. It tickles the mind muscles but leaves one hollow inside.
I am no theologian. So these are only my observations.
I think it's important, in particular for a Christian, NOT to be a theologian.
Theology teaches you ABOUT God.
Being a Christian. Well, it's BEING. And Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship.
When you're in a relationship, you KNOW someone.
How does the bible talk about knowing? How does the Word define "to know"?
It is in the context of "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain"(Genesis 4:1). The most intimate of knowing.
To KNOW God - the most intimate of knowledge.
Whoa. Hope I didn't shock some of you. I mean it.
What did you think?
The bible talks about man and woman being one flesh in the context of marriage and sex.
It talks about the church being the bride of Christ.
It talks about being in ONE spirit with Him.
Theology only talks ABOUT God. The last thing a Christian should do is talk about God. The revelation of the KNOWledge of Him satisfies the soul.
How? When? It's when you, O beloved child of God; you, the bride without spot or wrinkle, KNOWS God. Intimately.
Who He is? What He likes? What kind of conversationalist is He? His personality. His character.
Don't study God as if He were some kind of species - which is what I feel theology sometimes does.
It robs the people of the closeness of a relationship with the One who gave Himself for love and pushes Him so far away by examining Him as if He were someThing. Omnipotent, omniscience etc etc.. Awful! How does this improve my relationship with God?
How do you develop a relationship with anyone?
You talk, you share experiences, you cry, you laugh, you grow up, you recall, you rely, depend, trust, believe.
What makes you think a relationship with God is any different?
Philosophy
Oh dear, philosophy. What can I say about philosophy. But for the grace of God, I guess I'll be a philosopher..
For thousands of years, philosophy has posted its arguments in various permutations. And all it has shown is how well it can build its own maze and get lost in it. The futility of it all is like a cat chasing its tail. Because even when you 'get it', you don't.
Philosophy tickles the mind. Makes one feel very intellectual. As if one is getting somewhere. But really, philosophy is like running on a threadmill. People feel good with all the effort put in and happy in drawing their own conclusions. Conclusions which do not benefit anyone.
Philosophy is all about THE question. The meaning of life? Creation. Salvation. Karma. Mankind. Harmony. Balance etc...
Philosophy is kindergarten in relation to the depth and richness that can be plowed and harvested from the soul. It uses the mind in an attempt to bridge its way to the heart and feed it. I'm so impatient with it because it's futile.
Again, I'm no philosopher. And there's a reason I disdain it.
Basically, all arguments, all studies that purport to reach into the psyche should be able to do so. But hundreds, dare I say, thousands of years have come and gone, and people are still pondering the same questions.
Edifying
What IS edification?
Whatever gives LIFE!
You may think it's a strange definition. Every human being wants 'closure'. We like our line of 'argument' (for lack of a better word) to get somewhere.
But only truth is definite. Be it scientific truth etc.. I want to KNOW something concrete and NOT speculation. So I am impatient with theories and opinions.
It's really strange 'cos a discussion of the Word unveils mysteries and beautiful truths that we feed on. Where words are alive and living and we just sink our teeth into them and meditate. It ends with an answer. An answer that is not an end in itself but is so rich that it brings forth more questions that we feed on, knowing that the answers the we dig into will be richer. It's like digging for gold and actually getting it.
Theology and philosophy starts with a question and ends with more questions. Heavy as gravity and dank with the musk of open-ended arguments that lead no where. It tickles the mind muscles but leaves one hollow inside.
Christ Remains
I seem to be in the mood for songs these past two days :) Got this song from this babe
Christ Remains
(by Scott Kripayne/Tony Wood)
When dreams are rudely shattered,
And plans are torn apart
I'm left to try to gather the fragments of my heart
In the darkness hope is there, shining like a flame
Christ remains, Christ remains.
My Provider, my Protector always watching over me
My Comforter, my Counsellor, He is all I need
My constant in the chaos,
My source of strength unchanged
Everyday the same
Christ remains, Christ remains.
When silence steals my prayers, I'm feeling all alone
As the valley of the shadow claims
The dearest ones I've known
Then I crawl toward my refuge,
Our shelter in each day
Christ remains, Christ remains.
Christ Remains
(by Scott Kripayne/Tony Wood)
When dreams are rudely shattered,
And plans are torn apart
I'm left to try to gather the fragments of my heart
In the darkness hope is there, shining like a flame
Christ remains, Christ remains.
My Provider, my Protector always watching over me
My Comforter, my Counsellor, He is all I need
My constant in the chaos,
My source of strength unchanged
Everyday the same
Christ remains, Christ remains.
When silence steals my prayers, I'm feeling all alone
As the valley of the shadow claims
The dearest ones I've known
Then I crawl toward my refuge,
Our shelter in each day
Christ remains, Christ remains.
Never Gonna Let You Go
Never Gonna Let You Go - lyrics
I'm listening to the version sung by Peabo Bryson and Patti Austin :)
I was as wrong as I could be to let you get away from me
I'll regret that move for as long as I'm living
But now that I've come to see the light
All I wanna do is make things right
So just say the word and tell me that I'm forgiven
You and me
We're gonna be better than we were before
I loved you then but now I intend
To open up and love you even more
This time you can be sure
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for all the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
Looking back now it seems so clear
I had it all when you were here
Oh, you gave it all and I took it for granted
But if there's some feeling left in you
Some flicker of love that still shines through
Let's talk it out
Let's talk about second chances
Wait and see
It's gonna be sweeter than it was before
I gave some then but now I intend
To dedicate myself to giving more
This time you can be sure
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for all the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
So if you'll just say you want me too...
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for all the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
I'm listening to the version sung by Peabo Bryson and Patti Austin :)
I was as wrong as I could be to let you get away from me
I'll regret that move for as long as I'm living
But now that I've come to see the light
All I wanna do is make things right
So just say the word and tell me that I'm forgiven
You and me
We're gonna be better than we were before
I loved you then but now I intend
To open up and love you even more
This time you can be sure
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for all the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
Looking back now it seems so clear
I had it all when you were here
Oh, you gave it all and I took it for granted
But if there's some feeling left in you
Some flicker of love that still shines through
Let's talk it out
Let's talk about second chances
Wait and see
It's gonna be sweeter than it was before
I gave some then but now I intend
To dedicate myself to giving more
This time you can be sure
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for all the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
So if you'll just say you want me too...
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for all the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
Never gonna let you go
Baaa...?
Sometimes in CG, we have a quiet worship where we just linger in His presence.
And it's different from the fervency, or emotional intensity in church. It's difficult for me to be still - because I'm used to thinking about this and that, my mind pondering here and there.
But to simply be still and enjoy the waters of refreshing. Just sit back into His arms and relax. Perhaps I'm a little of an active daughter to Abba. Hmph! I think I'm still better than most. I run to Him all the time! :D And of course! I'm His fave!
Today, Kenneth shared about sheep. Baaaa... :D And it takes some imagination to dream of the meadows and that slow pace of life. Sheep, I learnt today, are pretty stupid and totally reliant on the Shepherd.
It's not so much the not being smart part - because the wisdom of man can't even compare to the foolishness of God.
And I'm not going to summarise the notes here 'cos I've got to chew on it a bit. There's something that I'm not getting yet though I believe the revelation is already released within me.
Because though we are sheep, we are no ordinary sheep. We are not lost. We are His. And we follow Him.
The thing is, I realised especially towards the end of last year and this year even, I seem to 'know' things. But I don't use the information all that wisely sometimes. You know, like when one knows something, you would want to act on that information or not act regardless based on feelings. It's an impulsive nature. Whereas to be still and believe on God to resolve it, that takes *sigh* patience and perseverence. Well, do I know it!
And I beginning to understand what it means when Jesus says,
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Wise as serpents. The serpent was the most subtle of creatures. The thing is, we are wise as serpents but we don't strike. I cannot abuse the gifts and insights that God has placed within me.
Solomon abused the wisdom that God gave him and taxed the people. It is recorded that he collected 666 talents of gold in tax. He found favour with the Queen of Sheba who gifted him with 120 talents of gold. Numerical significance.
Pastor Lian and Pastor Prince have been preaching on wisdom. And today's message, there was a bit of a link.. I just feel a desire to pray in tongues more for the next few days. Ohh.. I'm sleepy now... shalom.. :)
And it's different from the fervency, or emotional intensity in church. It's difficult for me to be still - because I'm used to thinking about this and that, my mind pondering here and there.
But to simply be still and enjoy the waters of refreshing. Just sit back into His arms and relax. Perhaps I'm a little of an active daughter to Abba. Hmph! I think I'm still better than most. I run to Him all the time! :D And of course! I'm His fave!
Today, Kenneth shared about sheep. Baaaa... :D And it takes some imagination to dream of the meadows and that slow pace of life. Sheep, I learnt today, are pretty stupid and totally reliant on the Shepherd.
It's not so much the not being smart part - because the wisdom of man can't even compare to the foolishness of God.
And I'm not going to summarise the notes here 'cos I've got to chew on it a bit. There's something that I'm not getting yet though I believe the revelation is already released within me.
Because though we are sheep, we are no ordinary sheep. We are not lost. We are His. And we follow Him.
The thing is, I realised especially towards the end of last year and this year even, I seem to 'know' things. But I don't use the information all that wisely sometimes. You know, like when one knows something, you would want to act on that information or not act regardless based on feelings. It's an impulsive nature. Whereas to be still and believe on God to resolve it, that takes *sigh* patience and perseverence. Well, do I know it!
And I beginning to understand what it means when Jesus says,
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Wise as serpents. The serpent was the most subtle of creatures. The thing is, we are wise as serpents but we don't strike. I cannot abuse the gifts and insights that God has placed within me.
Solomon abused the wisdom that God gave him and taxed the people. It is recorded that he collected 666 talents of gold in tax. He found favour with the Queen of Sheba who gifted him with 120 talents of gold. Numerical significance.
Pastor Lian and Pastor Prince have been preaching on wisdom. And today's message, there was a bit of a link.. I just feel a desire to pray in tongues more for the next few days. Ohh.. I'm sleepy now... shalom.. :)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
My confession
One of my favourite songs... It's a rather personal song for me 'cos it reminds me of me. When I listen to this song, I feel like I'm swept away.
"My Confession" beautifully sung by Josh Groban.
I have been blind, unwilling to see
The true love You're giving.
I have ignored every blessing.
I'm on my knees confessing
That I feel myself surrender
Each time I see Your face.
I am staggered by Your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
I have been wrong about You.
Thought I was strong without You.
For so long nothing could move me.
For so long nothing could change me.
Now I feel myself surrender
Each time I see Your face.
I am captured by Your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
You are the air that I breathe
You're the ground beneath my feet.
When did I stop believing?
Cause I feel myself surrender
Each time I see Your face.
I am staggered by Your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
Hear my confession
"My Confession" beautifully sung by Josh Groban.
I have been blind, unwilling to see
The true love You're giving.
I have ignored every blessing.
I'm on my knees confessing
That I feel myself surrender
Each time I see Your face.
I am staggered by Your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
I have been wrong about You.
Thought I was strong without You.
For so long nothing could move me.
For so long nothing could change me.
Now I feel myself surrender
Each time I see Your face.
I am captured by Your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
You are the air that I breathe
You're the ground beneath my feet.
When did I stop believing?
Cause I feel myself surrender
Each time I see Your face.
I am staggered by Your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
Hear my confession
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