Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Ultimate Explanation for Everything according to Isaiah

Why did God create Israel? For His glory (43:7). Why does God judge Israel ? They defied His glory (3:8). With what is the whole earth filled? God’s glory (6:3). What does God refuse to share with idols? His glory (42:8). What is the hope of the nations? God’s glory (40:5). On what will Israel’s final significance as God’s servant-nation be based? God’s glory (60:1).

Sunday, April 18, 2010

The Forgiven Are Humble

"Forgiven souls are humble. They cannot forget that they owe all they hav and hope for to free grace, and this keeps them lowly. They are brands plucked from the fire - debtors who could not pay for themselves - captives who must have remained in prison forever, but for undeserved mercy - wandering sheep who were ready to perish when the Shepherd found them; and what right then have they to be proud? I do not deny that there are proud saints. But this I do say - they are of all God's creatures the most inconsistent, and of all God's children the most likely to stumble and pierce themselves with many sorrows."

- J.C. Ryle

Friday, April 2, 2010

Sunday's Comin'

The Hill From Whence Comes Our Help

A Good Friday meditation on the Cross:

"Only a few steps upward, and we reach the end of the dreadful pilgrimage. Where are we now? We are standing on the summit of Mount Calvary—Golgotha—horrifying name—the appellation of the most momentous and awful spot upon the whole earth. Behold a naked and barren eminence, enriched only by the blood of criminals, and covered with the bones of executed rebels, incendiaries, prisoners, and other offscourings of the human race. An accursed spot, where love never rules, but where naked justice alone sits enthroned, with scales and sword, and from which every passerby turns with abhorrence, a nocturnal rendezvous of jackals and hyenas.

This place, so full of horrors, becomes transformed into "the hill from where comes our help," whose mysteries many kings and prophets have desired to see, and did not see them. Yes, upon this awful hill our roses shall blossom, and our springs of peace and salvation burst forth. The pillar of our refuge towers upon this height. The Bethany of our repose and eternal refreshment here displays itself to our view. Truly the ancients were correct in their assertion, that Mount Calvary formed the center of the whole earth; for it is the meeting place where the redeemed, though separated in body by land and sea, daily assemble in spirit, and greet each other with the kiss of love."

Read the entire meditation here.
From "The Suffering Savior: Meditations on the Last Days of Christ" by F.W. Krummacher (1796 - 1868)