The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Before His Cold"
"Who can stand before His cold?" (Psalm 147:17).
By definition, "cold" involves the slowing down of molecules and the decrease of their kinetic energy. The Psalmist alludes in physical terms to God's spiritual capacity whereby He slows and stills us so that we might know His working on our behalf.
"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
Salvation in the Lord Jesus involves such a suspension of our activities. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5). Indeed, the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ constitutes holy ground whereupon no one can walk save the Redeemer who journeys upon nail-scarred feet. The sinner must remove his shoes, as it were, and kneel before the Savior to receive the freest gift ever given, purchased by the highest cost ever remitted. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).
The saint must also live the Christian life by stilling his heart, even as his hands and feet may and will bustle with activity. "As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6). Indeed, if we perceive ourselves as independently capable of even the smallest act of genuine obedience, we nullify our reception of the only power - "Christ, the power of God" - whereby we may walk in faith and faithfulness. "Without Me, ye can do nothing" declared the Lord Jesus to His disciples (I Corinthian 1:24; John 15:5). The echoes of His stark counsel ring through the ages unto this day wherein the Word of God beckons us to join the Apostle Paul in his testimony of grace in Christ - "By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (I Corinthians 15:10). No busier believer ever lived than the Apostle Paul. He possessed, however, a still heart restful and trusting in Christ alone for the enabling to "live through Him" (I John 4:9).
Physical cold slows molecules. God's spiritual cold slows spirits, stilling them to realize how complete is our dependence upon Him. He administers such necessary deceleration in countless ways of circumstance, situation, and condition, all directed to reveal His faithfulness and our need for faith. We live thereby, that is, with full awareness of our inherent weakness, and full confidence in His indwelling strength. "Who can stand before His cold?" No one, but those who realize why He works to slow our hearts will arise to walk and run through the faithful enabling of His heart.
"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
(Philippians 3:3)
"We also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
(II Corinthians 13:4)
Weekly Memory Verse
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now."
(Philippians 1:3-5).
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