The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Most Beautiful Thing"
I want to share with you today the most beautiful thing I know and believe about God, that is, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit who comprise the triunity of our Creator and Redeemer.
"Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!" (Psalm 113:5-6).
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself" (Philippians 2:5-7).
"When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me……He shall glorify Me" (John 15:26; 16:14).
Upon our arrival in Heaven and first direct encounter with our God, His majesty, power, awe, wonder, and even fearfulness will cast us to our faces in proper astonishment, reverence and veneration. Isaiah the prophet declared himself "undone" by the vision. John the Apostle "fell at His feet as dead" (Isaiah 6:5; Revelation 1:17). The infinite God of eternity elicits such response, even as "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… wisdom" (Psalm 11:10; Proverbs 1:7).
We shall not long be in our Lord's presence, however, before a companion wonder begins to shine forth from the throne of Heaven. Perhaps the sight of nailprints and the wound of a spear will capture our attention. Perhaps the countenance of the face of Christ will bear a sublime witness that cannot be missed. Perhaps the first sound of His voice will reveal the hints of a quality in the almighty God beyond any goodness we could have imagined during our earthly lives. Indeed, perhaps the simple fact of grace that we are there in His presence will open our hearts to the most beautiful light proceeding from God's character of love...
"I am meek, and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29).
The humble Christ who spoke these words plainly stated, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." The same Christ declared of the Holy Spirit, "The Spirit of truth… will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself… He shall glorify Me" (John 14:9; John 16:13-14). Thus, in the triune God, we see humility in the Father, humility in the Son, and humility in the Holy Spirit. We see the purest expression of what it means that "God is love" (I John 4:8). We see what the Lord Jesus tried to tell His disciples by showing them the heart of service and ministry to others that proceeds from God's authority, power, and rightful place as Master, King, and Lord:
"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God, He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded… Ye call me Lord and Master, and ye say well. For so I am" (John 13;3-5; 13).
Perhaps in some manner we will experience a similar observance as our Lord establishes His full governance of our hearts and lives. Or perhaps such a glory of goodness will be innately known by His presence in our glorified hearts. Whatever the case, if we have risen from our knees and faces upon seeing His majesty, power, and wonder, we will fall to them again when realizing the humility, meekness, and selflessness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We can know nothing more beautiful about the glorious One both "fearful in praises" and "abundant in goodness" (Exodus 15:11; 34:6). Moreover, nothing will more cause us to humble ourselves for the purpose of honoring our God, and of loving Him with a devotion of humility in our hearts that proceeds from the most winsome wonder of His heart.
"The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life a ransom for many."
(Matthew 20:28)
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:5-11)
"We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
(I John 3:2)
Weekly Memory Verse
We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead."
(II Corinthians 1:9)
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