Orange Moon Friday, May 6, 2022 "The Dew"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

(thanks to Scott and Herb for inspiration on this one)

"The Dew"

   

   The only Scriptural depiction of the Apostle Paul in physical terms does not present an appealing image.

    "His bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (II Corinthians 10:10).

    

    Like his Lord, Paul appears to have had "no form nor comeliness, and… no beauty that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2).  Moreover, he appears to have possessed no particular eloquence or way of expressing himself that would have drawn the masses.  Just the opposite seems to have been the case.  The word "contemptible" Paul used to describe his utterance means "of no account" or "to be despised."

   Upon deliberation, this is exactly what we would expect from a man who sought to fulfill the Psalmist's earnest plea: "Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory!" (Psalm 115:1).  God raised Paul up to cast the keenest and most beautiful light upon the Lord Jesus Christ in a lifetime of devotion, and in epistles that provide the brightest illumination upon the Savior and His Gospel.  

As the dew which brought sweet manna, 

and then quietly stole away,

I long to be forgotten, Lord,

to seek no accolade.

For each day the light grows brighter

as it shines in Your dear face,

only One is due all honor,

only One is due all praise.

So let me be forgotten, Lord,

let me be forgotten.

Yes, I see it, Lord, no, I see them,

those prints upon Your hands.

And I know that 'til forever

the cry of Heavenly lands 

will sing Bless the name of Jesus,

praise to the Father be,

as by the Spirit's humble heart

we fall unto our knees.

So let me be forgotten, Lord,

let me be forgotten.

    We do not know if Paul realized his epistles and those of others would be compiled into the form of the New Testament, to be read by billions of people through the ages, and unto this moment.  He likely didn't.  He knew his place, of course, but a thorough Scriptural consideration of his lifetime suggests the Apostle bore no sense of the role his ministry and writings would play in history, and in the personal stories of so many.  Having been so often despised during his Christian life - even by many believers - and having little earthly appeal in appearance and utterance may well have left Paul with the sense - greatly desired, no doubt - that he would soon be forgotten upon his departure.

   Of course, it did not work out that way.  Paul was not forgotten.  He rather became one of the most important figures in world and church history.  However, the honest account of the Apostle's life and history recorded in Scripture has fulfilled his longing of
directing all attention and glory to the Lord Jesus.  Paul's weakness serves as a particularly beautiful "chosen vessel" from which multitudes have partaken of the Water of life (Acts 9:15).  What an example to us all, that our seeming liabilities actually serve as God's assets, and most of all, that we exist -  as did Paul in his own heart and mind - to be "the dew that brought sweet manna, and then quietly stole away." 

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

(II Corinthians 12:7-10)

Weekly Memory Verse

    O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

(Romans 11:33)

    

 

   

 

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