September 26, 2014.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(II Corinthians 12:9-10)

All praise should upward flow, from rocks and hills, from streams below. All praise to thee should we send, to you who our hearts do mend. All praise is saved for you, praise from near and beyond the blue. All praise to you and you alone, that your glory only ever be shone.

Who is man that he could stand, no, but even to kneel before your throne? Who is man that he should kneel, and his name for you to own? Who is man that he should receive such grace upon grace from Holy seed? Who are we but nothing, nothing, nothing to see.

We are weak, but you are strong, why do you stand with us yet? We fall, we fall! And you, not at all, why place such a losing bet? You are Lord of Heaven, and Lord of Earth, what we are to such glory? You formed all from simple breath, who are we to hear the story?

“And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
(Matthew 26:40-42)

Your wonders, how Holy! How great beyond measure! Your wisdom above earth, your word precious treasure! The work of your hands is beyond us, though we try with all might. The work of your hands, in which we delight- what can we offer? What makes it right?

“Watch with me an hour while I pray,” But Lord, my God, you were delayed! “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Lord, how can we thee seek? We bring nothing that answers anything you give, but in your spirit we are allowed to live? Help us, Lord, help us now! Teach us often how to bow.

High and exalted, at the right hand of God! To come down from heaven and on soil trod? What sense is there? What did we do? What kind of love did we ever show you? Broken, mangled and laden with sin, and a new life with you we can begin? We deserve nothing like this, nothing at all- yet upon us do your blessings fall.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
(Romans 5:6-1)

How can we understand such matchless grace? How can we our sins within us face? What right have we to the tree of life? Yet you gave it to us, ending sin’s night! And this, yet wonderful, is not yet all, but you rescued us before our call! While in sin we dwelt, reveling in pleasure, you gave us everything, your most prized treasure!

Your love, how wonderful! Your compassion unrivaled! That we, laden with sin, would not be held liable! What is this grace, we cannot comprehend! We spat on the prophets, and your Son then you send? Far above man’s mind does your wisdom dwell, for what in your could man ever tell?

Hallelujah to the King, enthroned wholly above! Merciful Savior with unending love. Though we do not understand, we can still know, we hear the gospel that you’ve given below. And why should we be the only to hear? Let’s sound the news to all who have ears!

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
(Revelation 2:7)

Suggested Daily Reading: Hosea 1, 3, 5, 11.

To our Savior and Lord God above.

-Walter