O - The new song is inspired by an "old" theme - the worth of the Lord. The Greek term means weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much; it is a conclusion reached by engaging a process of accurate assessment. It's "finding" can be negative or positive depending on the results of the assessment. There are literally endless reasons the Lord is worthy. He really is wonderful, tender, merciful, magnanimous, faithful, brilliant, patient, powerful, good, loving, mighty and holy. Nevertheless, the conclusion reached by the assessment in this song cites none of these and zeroes in on only one specific conclusion. Jesus is worthy because he was slain, purchasing people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation with his blood. "Purchased" is a verb which means to buy or redeem. It references one who is active in the market place in the process of buying and selling and includes the idea of those who haunt or hang around there. This facet of the worth of Jesus did not come out of the resource of his person, a distant purchase out of his "wealth" executed by a servant or representative. Jesus personally engaged the market place of humanity and purchased by his blood (the currency of grace) that which was already his by right. Thus, having set up an account which cannot be exhausted he himself still haunts the market place of the human race looking to redeem any and all. The result of his entrepreneurial activity ends with the highest rating possible. Jesus is worthy!
A - This facet of the Lord's worth requires me not only to rejoice in the intent of his purchase (to make us a kingdom of kings and priests) and the dignity of this purchase (enabling all people with the privilege of choice according to grace) but the medium of his purchase - his blood. This means that I, in the service of his person, must not refuse him any request, shrink back from any circumstance nor falter under any pressure concerning my own person. “Whether we live or whether we die we belong to the Lord.” Because Jesus is worthy and because God has a will on earth and because he is purposeful in everything he causes and everything he allows I willingly give myself over to his designs to be spent however he wishes. I welcome his will even if it means trial and pain and apparent loss. I willingly give myself over to whatever he prefers because he is worthy and I am privileged to follow, to trust and to obey.
P - Holy Lord, most Holy Lord,
You alone are worthy of my praise. Holy Lord, most Holy Lord with all of my heart I sing: Great are you Lord! Worthy of praise! Great are you Lord; most Holy Lord. Thank you for allowing me to rehearse, proclaim, dialogue with others and be recalibrated in the truth: when I fear the Lord I NEVER have to be afraid. So, today (every day) enable me to turn away from the seductive imposition of those circumstances and people which really have no ultimate power over me; to refuse the worry which distracts, disables and wants to drive me. Rather, according to your worth and in the power of your resurrection life allow me to turn to you and boldly, confidently and lovingly live out the wholesome dread of being disconnect from the One I love … the One who has loved me first, most and refused to change his mind. Dearest and Almighty Lord, I welcome this fear, this holy fear inspired by and sustained in your love to rest upon me, shape my thoughts, attitudes, words and actions. Enable me to love you back in this way.
Steve
So good...thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete