the church of the
ascension
in the city of
new york
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Wednesday, March 4
Psalm 119: 49-72 / Hebrews 3:12-19 / John 2:23-3:15
I admire and envy the author of Psalm 119:49-72. He delights in God's word; it comforts and sustains him. Not only does he keep God's commandments but he hurries to do so. He rises at midnight to praise Him; God's statutes have been his songs. The Psalmist values God's law more "than thousands of gold and silver pieces." All he asks in return is for God to remember His word, His promise "to your servant." I think about my life as a Christian, my selective following of Jesus' teachings. I ask myself if "to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and my neighbor as myself" is my most valuable possession. I think of my attempts to follow Jesus and hope He will keep His promise to me.
The author of Hebrews builds upon God's promise, trust, and what interferes with that trust. He tells me both my "brothers and sisters" and Jesus are here to support me, to help me not have an "unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." The love and support of family and friends is a valuable part of what sustains me but only God knows who I truly am. And I have Him as a partner as long as I "hold our first confidence firm to the end," as long as I continue in an honest and trusting relationship with Him. I am misleading myself in believing I can keep a secret from God "from whom no secrets are hid." Rather isn't this hardening my heart if I hear His voice and still refuse Jesus' trust and love? Will I too be unable to enter "His rest" because of unbelief?
Jesus knows me just as He knew Nicodemus, and like Nicodemus, I come by night when no one can see me, asking my questions: questions that interfere with His promise, "that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." This is the promise that the Lord gave the Psalmist who had loved and kept God's statutes and this is the promise He makes to me as long as I continue in a personal and trusting relationship with Him.
— Carol Conway
I admire and envy the author of Psalm 119:49-72. He delights in God's word; it comforts and sustains him. Not only does he keep God's commandments but he hurries to do so. He rises at midnight to praise Him; God's statutes have been his songs. The Psalmist values God's law more "than thousands of gold and silver pieces." All he asks in return is for God to remember His word, His promise "to your servant." I think about my life as a Christian, my selective following of Jesus' teachings. I ask myself if "to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and my neighbor as myself" is my most valuable possession. I think of my attempts to follow Jesus and hope He will keep His promise to me.
The author of Hebrews builds upon God's promise, trust, and what interferes with that trust. He tells me both my "brothers and sisters" and Jesus are here to support me, to help me not have an "unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." The love and support of family and friends is a valuable part of what sustains me but only God knows who I truly am. And I have Him as a partner as long as I "hold our first confidence firm to the end," as long as I continue in an honest and trusting relationship with Him. I am misleading myself in believing I can keep a secret from God "from whom no secrets are hid." Rather isn't this hardening my heart if I hear His voice and still refuse Jesus' trust and love? Will I too be unable to enter "His rest" because of unbelief?
Jesus knows me just as He knew Nicodemus, and like Nicodemus, I come by night when no one can see me, asking my questions: questions that interfere with His promise, "that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." This is the promise that the Lord gave the Psalmist who had loved and kept God's statutes and this is the promise He makes to me as long as I continue in a personal and trusting relationship with Him.
— Carol Conway
