You are not pals

“The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! ” (Psalm 110:1–2, ESV)–A Psalm of David

Commenting on Psalm 110, Walter Chantry (Praises for the King of Kings) p. 59 writes,

“Anyone who has caught a glimpse of the heavenly splendor and sovereign might of Christ would do well to imitate the saints of ages past. It is only appropriate to worship him with deep reverence. You may pour out great love in recognition of your personal relationship with him. He is your Lord. You are his and he is yours. However, you are not pals. He is Lord and Master. You are servant and disciple. He is infinitely above you in the scale of being. His throne holds sway over you for your present life and for assigning your eternal reward. A king is to be honored, confessed, obeyed and worshiped.”

 

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Doing three “Hard things”

Matt Perman:

Even though they are primarily writing for those in their teens, Alex and Brett Harris have good counsel everyone in Do Hard Things. Here’s one helpful piece:

1. Do what’s hard for you.
2. Be known for what you do (more than for what you don’t).
3. Pursue excellence, not excuses.

 

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Jesus, our Emmanuel!

“Jesus is Emmanuel, so there is never a situation, location or experience where you are left to yourself.”

–Paul David Tripp via Twitter Post

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Immanuel’s presence and presents

Scotty Smith is writing a series of prayers during this Advent season.   They really help me slow down and meditate and cherish Christ at this busy time.  Here’s one of his prayers based on the name given to Jesus:  Emmanuel–God with us:

Jesus, I’m thankful to know that every word of the Word, in one way or another, is ultimately about you. Every command drives me to you. Every promise is fulfilled in you. Every story whispers your name… points to your glory… and proffers your grace. This is why I love the Bible, all of the Bible, more than ever.

Yet there are some Scriptures that are kind of like “home-room” to me… like a favorite chair… jogging path… or coffee mug. To “go there” puts everything into perspective. These few verses are just such a place. All the Immanuel promises, all the carols and hymns of Advent converge right here… the hopes and fears of all our years are anticipated and met in Romans 8:28-32.

Jesus, I praise you for being Immanuel—God with us and God for us. Your presence and your presents are all that we need… much more than we realize… and way beyond all we could have ever hoped for or imagined.

You’re at work in all things for your glory and for our good… in the obvious and in the not-so-obvious… in our gains and in our pains… in what we “get” and in the things which seem to contradict Who we know… when we’re “feeling the love” and when we’re feeling very lonely… when the gospel makes all the sense in the world to us and when we’re tempted to say with John the Baptist, “Are you the Messiah, or should we be looking for another?”

But, Jesus, there is no other Messiah, Savior or Lord, but you. Absolutely nothing can separate us from your love, for we’re been called according to the Father’s purpose, which will never fail nor falter. He “knew” us—he set his affection upon us before the world began, and he will continue to provide everything necessary to complete the work of the gospel in our lives. We cannot not be more justified than we already are and we’ll be as glorified as any mortal man ever will be. Joy to the world indeed. Joy to us.

What do we say in response to all of this? We shout a threefold “Hallelujah!” So very Amen, we pray, by the life-giving light of this good news of great joy.

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