A song that never fails to put me at the brink of tears when I hear it, and to tears at worship. It brings one through every critical experience that the person has with God. It brings reflections and thanksgiving to an all new high. Truly a song inspired from God.
Written by John Newton, who was an ex-navy officer, and later became embrawled in slave trading. The turning point in Newton's spiritual life was a violent storm that occurred one night while at sea. Moments after he left the deck, the crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard. Although he manned the vessel for the remainder of the tempest, he later commented that, throughout the tumult, he realized his helplessness and concluded that only the grace of God could save him.
The inspiration for this song came from 1 Chronicles 17:16-17.
16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17And even this was a small thing in your sight, O God; you have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come. You regard me as someone of high rank, O Lord God!
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;’
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.
John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Fairness Vs Justice
I read the following in bible.org
God never claims to be fair--only just. Fairness is a human standard that changes as often as our perceptions change--God never changes, and His decrees are never altered. God is not, and cannot be, judged by any standard manufactured by men!”
The preacher opened his Bible and read several verses out loud that spoke of God’s ruling the affairs of nations, and of His plan for redemption through the sacrifice of the Cross. Was it fair for God to send His Son to die for us? Did God ever promise anywhere to take our thoughts, whims, and petty human pride into account in His eternal councils? No! God is either absolute, or He is not God!”
Sounds pretty harsh. Yet, it is so true. I learnt this lesson the hard way. So I always remember that life is never fair. Only God makes it just. The imbalance I feel, is something to live with. Yet, I can always find the assurance in God, that He is in control, and justice is always in His hands.
It's scary to think that if fairness is based on our human minds, how "fair" can it be? How true. Our own standards, are really not a standard. Why? Because we always change. We always have the tendency to judge, to side, to give our own opinions on fairness. At the end of it, one person's fairness is always different from another. We end up in a circle arguing over something that can never be reached. What's the point?
God never claims to be fair--only just. Fairness is a human standard that changes as often as our perceptions change--God never changes, and His decrees are never altered. God is not, and cannot be, judged by any standard manufactured by men!”
The preacher opened his Bible and read several verses out loud that spoke of God’s ruling the affairs of nations, and of His plan for redemption through the sacrifice of the Cross. Was it fair for God to send His Son to die for us? Did God ever promise anywhere to take our thoughts, whims, and petty human pride into account in His eternal councils? No! God is either absolute, or He is not God!”
Sounds pretty harsh. Yet, it is so true. I learnt this lesson the hard way. So I always remember that life is never fair. Only God makes it just. The imbalance I feel, is something to live with. Yet, I can always find the assurance in God, that He is in control, and justice is always in His hands.
It's scary to think that if fairness is based on our human minds, how "fair" can it be? How true. Our own standards, are really not a standard. Why? Because we always change. We always have the tendency to judge, to side, to give our own opinions on fairness. At the end of it, one person's fairness is always different from another. We end up in a circle arguing over something that can never be reached. What's the point?
Friday, May 2, 2008
Help. Again.
I think, quite a while ago. I wrote on this. This morning, I was reminded of this. The importance of help, and how to receive it.
Acts 18
9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
When I read this, it spoke to me rather instantaneously. As my Dad in Heaven always know what's going on in my heart. That's the personal part. Now, the other part. Things that got me pondering more.
The first four words that God told Paul - Do NOT be afraid. Implication? Paul is afraid. The "great and fearless" Paul is afraid! The Paul with great convictions and confidence in speaking the truth is afraid! That got to me. Sometimes, I forget that anyone can be afraid.
The second part - God gave Paul the assurance that He is with him, and even further assurance that nothing will happen to him in this city. The verse after this showed that Paul accepted this word from God, and went forth to fearlessly proclaim the gospel.
Accepting help. This can be tricky. It takes a few parts:
1. Knowing you need help
Sometimes, you know you need help. Sometimes, you don't. There are times when I am in a difficult situation, and I keep piling things on my plate, adding on to the workload. I need help. But do I see it? If I do, why do I still add things on?
2. Someone/something to give you help
Where does my help come from? It can be from anyone actually. However, sometimes, it takes one to realise that that is "help". I need to recognise help when it comes, too.
3. Humility to accept help
Now, this is the difficult part. To accept help means to acknowledge and confirm a lot of things. It would mean that I am weak, I need the help. It would mean that I need to lay down my pride, to accept the help. It would mean that I am not as good as I want others to think I am.
At the end of it though, if I don't be humble, who is to suffer? I guess, no one else, but me. Help is a two-way process. The relation between the helper and the receiver. God gives helpers. But, do we look out for them, and acknowledge them?
I think, at times, I need helpers to identify helpers! Oh dear, I have opened another can of worms.
Acts 18
9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
When I read this, it spoke to me rather instantaneously. As my Dad in Heaven always know what's going on in my heart. That's the personal part. Now, the other part. Things that got me pondering more.
The first four words that God told Paul - Do NOT be afraid. Implication? Paul is afraid. The "great and fearless" Paul is afraid! The Paul with great convictions and confidence in speaking the truth is afraid! That got to me. Sometimes, I forget that anyone can be afraid.
The second part - God gave Paul the assurance that He is with him, and even further assurance that nothing will happen to him in this city. The verse after this showed that Paul accepted this word from God, and went forth to fearlessly proclaim the gospel.
Accepting help. This can be tricky. It takes a few parts:
1. Knowing you need help
Sometimes, you know you need help. Sometimes, you don't. There are times when I am in a difficult situation, and I keep piling things on my plate, adding on to the workload. I need help. But do I see it? If I do, why do I still add things on?
2. Someone/something to give you help
Where does my help come from? It can be from anyone actually. However, sometimes, it takes one to realise that that is "help". I need to recognise help when it comes, too.
3. Humility to accept help
Now, this is the difficult part. To accept help means to acknowledge and confirm a lot of things. It would mean that I am weak, I need the help. It would mean that I need to lay down my pride, to accept the help. It would mean that I am not as good as I want others to think I am.
At the end of it though, if I don't be humble, who is to suffer? I guess, no one else, but me. Help is a two-way process. The relation between the helper and the receiver. God gives helpers. But, do we look out for them, and acknowledge them?
I think, at times, I need helpers to identify helpers! Oh dear, I have opened another can of worms.
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