"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11
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What sweet comforts reside in the veneration of Christ! This, the chief goal of our lives, the highest purpose, the sole worthy ambition; to esteem Him beyond all else. To lift His name higher than any other and watch His glory rise as the sun, filling the skies with rays of pure light. Rejoicing in His renown, contenting ourselves in His sufficiency. In times of trial, when the spirit is tossed to and fro amongst the fiercest of gales, the heart will surely turn itself to the place it calls home. For the child of God, Christ is this sanctuary. We abide within the Son of Man, where the primary end of our existence rest utterly in bringing honor to the worthy name of Jesus. He is our very explanation. In Him we find purpose and reason. All else be scorned, if the Lord of Hosts be magnified, if His kingdom be secure.
Surely He Himself is our older brother, the Firstborn amongst the the saints. Do you not remember we ran away? We were lost, guilty and ashamed; unable to come home. Was it not Jesus who sought us out? Was it not He who took us by our trembling hand and brought us back to our Father? He who bled on our behalf, who intercedes for the lowly, who humbled Himself for our forgiveness? Who fought to give us dignity? Who suffered the unimaginable wrath we deserved, who reclaimed for us our inheritance and a name? None other than He. None but the coldest of heart could not love and esteem such a brother. Yet there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Have we any friend better than Jesus? Who is an ever present help in trouble? Who will never slander nor flatter you? Never deceive, nor abuse you? Yes, His love is that of a steadfast and faithful companion. For those who have known the sorrow of losing a friend there lies an unfathomable peace in the promise, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you.". Closer than our next breath, Christ is with us. And when our breathing has ceased, Christ will be the Friend who gently leads us through the valley of death, and lays us down in green pastures.
Jesus, my leader, my champion, my hero. My God.
Look into the deepest part of your soul and confess that you do not wish Him grandeur and fame. If you be of righteousness, you cannot. You will desire His adoration, if you know Him at all. If you heart has been opened to the Lord Christ Jesus, then you will feel the streams of waters stir up inside your spirit and everything within you will cry, "O Lord of Hosts, bend the knees of men!". Surrender me to the Lamb in the midst of the throne, at the very center of all creation, the pinnacle of space and time. Make His ways, my ways. Make His word, my word.
With the teachers of old, my spirit affirms:
"I care not what happens, so long as it is written, the LORD reigneth."
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What sweet comforts reside in the veneration of Christ! This, the chief goal of our lives, the highest purpose, the sole worthy ambition; to esteem Him beyond all else. To lift His name higher than any other and watch His glory rise as the sun, filling the skies with rays of pure light. Rejoicing in His renown, contenting ourselves in His sufficiency. In times of trial, when the spirit is tossed to and fro amongst the fiercest of gales, the heart will surely turn itself to the place it calls home. For the child of God, Christ is this sanctuary. We abide within the Son of Man, where the primary end of our existence rest utterly in bringing honor to the worthy name of Jesus. He is our very explanation. In Him we find purpose and reason. All else be scorned, if the Lord of Hosts be magnified, if His kingdom be secure.
Surely He Himself is our older brother, the Firstborn amongst the the saints. Do you not remember we ran away? We were lost, guilty and ashamed; unable to come home. Was it not Jesus who sought us out? Was it not He who took us by our trembling hand and brought us back to our Father? He who bled on our behalf, who intercedes for the lowly, who humbled Himself for our forgiveness? Who fought to give us dignity? Who suffered the unimaginable wrath we deserved, who reclaimed for us our inheritance and a name? None other than He. None but the coldest of heart could not love and esteem such a brother. Yet there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Have we any friend better than Jesus? Who is an ever present help in trouble? Who will never slander nor flatter you? Never deceive, nor abuse you? Yes, His love is that of a steadfast and faithful companion. For those who have known the sorrow of losing a friend there lies an unfathomable peace in the promise, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you.". Closer than our next breath, Christ is with us. And when our breathing has ceased, Christ will be the Friend who gently leads us through the valley of death, and lays us down in green pastures.
Jesus, my leader, my champion, my hero. My God.
Look into the deepest part of your soul and confess that you do not wish Him grandeur and fame. If you be of righteousness, you cannot. You will desire His adoration, if you know Him at all. If you heart has been opened to the Lord Christ Jesus, then you will feel the streams of waters stir up inside your spirit and everything within you will cry, "O Lord of Hosts, bend the knees of men!". Surrender me to the Lamb in the midst of the throne, at the very center of all creation, the pinnacle of space and time. Make His ways, my ways. Make His word, my word.
With the teachers of old, my spirit affirms:
"I care not what happens, so long as it is written, the LORD reigneth."