The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Ponder the Wonder"
Some Biblical truths stop us in our tracks (really, all of them will if we consider the context of a sublimely perfect God possessed of a moral character that should seemingly preclude Him from communicating with sinful human beings). The one ray of Scriptural light that most often takes my breath away involves a wonder we often consider in these messages, namely, God's purpose to dwell in the hearts of human beings.
"Ye are the temple of God... the Holy Spirit dwelleth in you" (I Corinthians 3:16).
The "everlasting life" of beloved John 3:16 beautifully proceeds to the indwelling life of I Corinthians 3:16. How can either enigma be true? How could a Father give HIs eternally beloved Son to suffer and die for sin at the hands of enemies, and to bear His own wrath against sin? How could such a gift include His freely given presence within the hearts of all who believe that the horror of Calvary made possible "the hope of glory, which is Christ in you?" (Colossians 1:27). Both truths bring us up short in those times we still our hearts to ponder their wonder.
"We did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God" (Isaiah 53:4).
"God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father" (Galatians 4:6).
I find myself at a place to which I have often come through the years. I am currently teaching the Apostle Paul's epistle to the Romans in a local church. We have arrived at the eighth chapter, wherein Paul addresses the truth of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence in various ways. I have read these chapters more than a few times in my life as a believer. I know the words that grace the chapter, and am at least somewhat familiar with the the truths they express. However, in my preparation for the messages I will deliver, I find myself aware of a profound sense of inadequacy to find words and ways that even begin to communicate the promise of which Paul writes. It stops me in my tracks.
"But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (enliven) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:11).
This statement perfectly correlates with the Apostle's declaration in II Corinthians 6:16: "I will dwell in them and walk in them." The living God dwells in born again believers in the Lord Jesus. Moreover, He walks in us as we trust and submit to Him. Just writing these words brings me to one of those stops mentioned (pardon the pause)…
Some believe that various aspects of worship have fallen on hard times in our generation. If so, I suspect some of the blame lies with a deficit in wonder. We should ask for an ongoing bestowal of such grace unto our hearts. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:20, glories await us that will blessedly still our spirits, and then beckon us to arise and walk in their splendor. Be it the vibrantly active indwelling of the Spirit of Christ in our hearts, or any of a vast measure of truths that fill, thrill, and fulfill us, the Bible shines with glories we can only being to fathom in this lifetime. Let us indeed often take time to ponder, to ponder the wonder.
"Many, O LORD my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to usward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee. if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."
(Psalm 40:5)
"I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.
(Psalm 77:11)
(Psalm 77:11)
"Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people."
(Psalm 96:3)
Weekly Memory Verse
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
(I John 3:2)
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