Monthly Archives: August 2024

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Christ went more readily to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.” (Thomas Watson)

We can be free! We can be accepted with open arms! We can be adopted because of God’s OVERFLOWING grace and mercy!

“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭40‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭62‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.37.7.ESV

John Owen provides something to ponder about our Lord.

The soul considers his presence, ponders his love, his condescension, goodness, and kindness; is filled with reverence of him, and cares [takes care] not to grieve him, and labours to preserve his temple, his habitation, pure and holy.

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Psalm‬ ‭147‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If we want to learn to love God, we must first realize that we must come to Him, not in strength, but in humility.

We must arrive at the point where we say to Him, to borrow from C. S. Lewis, “Oh God, I can’t. You must.”

Accepting His kindness that leads us to repentance is the way.

Whether in smooth quiet waters as depicted in this photo from Lake Balaton week before last or the threatening storm over Budapest taken from a boat on the Danube, our heart’s posture is to trust, to have faith in God’s power, goodness and steadfast love.

““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah” Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬