The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"This Is Essence"
God alone exists "from everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm 90:2). He was when nothing else was, the one and only reality that stretches back into the recesses of the eternal "from everlasting." Moreover, He declares "I am the Lord, I change not." Thus, His triune nature of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwelling in the unity of one God has always been (Malachi 3:10). Only of our Lord can this be said.
Among the infinite wonders that proceed from this truth lies the reality and centrality of relationship. Before He made angels, the universe, and human beings, the God who "is love" existed in a perfect unity of oneness, but also a perfect communion of Heart with Heart with Heart. Understanding and words quickly fail when pondering such glory (I John 4:8). Suffice it to suggest that relationship is central in human beings - made in God's image - because it is central in Him. Indeed, before anything else existed, our Lord existed in the reality of relationship. The Lord Jesus alluded to this glory in His intercessory prayer offered just before He suffered and died on the cross.
"And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was… Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:5; 24).
Our journey from conception to physical death requires our focus and attention to be directed to many earthly realities. We must attend to these in order to survive and thrive. Like Lazarus' sister Martha, we will be "careful and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41). Amid all, however, we must realize with her sister Mary that ultimately, "one thing is needful" (Luke 10:42). Relationship with God and with people - this is essence. This is fundamental, elemental and central. The two greatest of all commands confirm the reality of this wellspring of our existence.
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31).
Through Christ, this day offers to us the wonder of walking with God in loving fellowship. The day also calls us to walk with people in the same devotion. Life will involve "many things" that must be addressed, enjoyed, and faced with personal responsibility. One thing, however, will be "needful" regarding the most elemental aspect of life. We must relate to God. The light of such glory, the glory of relationship, will then lead us to relate to people. Again, this is fundamental, elemental and central. This is essence because "before the world was," this is all there was.
"Thou wilt show me the path of life. In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."
(Psalm 16:11)
"Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting."
(Psalm 41:13)
Weekly Memory Verse
Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 6:11)
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