He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved and this is my Friend. (Song of Solomon 5:16)
Why is thy Beloved more than another beloved? (v. 9). That was the question asked of one who was so unworthy of her Beloved that she had grieved Him until He had to withdraw himself from her. She sought Him, but she could not find Him. She called Him, but He gave her no answer. It could not be otherwise, for her thoughts were moving round herself so that there was no room for Him.
But now she forgets herself in thinking of Him and showing Him to others. She cannot find words beautiful enough to show Him worthily. He is altogether lovely, she says. This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend. And instantly she is with Him in spirit. She knows where He is. There is no more separation.
There is nothing that can surprise our Lord in our unworthiness; He knows us through and through. But it must surprise Him sometimes that we ever stay even for one minute in the dark and cold, when we have such a Beloved and such a Friend that we have only to think of Him (instead of ourselves) to find ourselves with Him, embraced by His warm love on every side.
Psalm 56:4 - In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
“Faith brings forth praise. He who can trust will soon sing. God’s promise, when fulfilled, is a noble subject for praise, and even before fulfillment it should be the theme of song. It is in or through God that we are able to praise. We praise as well as pray in the Spirit. Or we may read it—in extolling the Lord one of the main points for thanksgiving is his revealed will in the Scriptures, and the fidelity with which he keeps his word of promise.
In God I have put my trust. Altogether and alone should we stay ourselves on God. What was a gracious resolve in the former verse, is here asserted as already done. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Faith exercised, fear is banished, and holy triumph ensues, so that the soul asks, “What can flesh do unto me?” What indeed? He can do me no real injury; all his malice shall be overruled for my good. Man is flesh, flesh is grass—Lord, in thy name I defy its utmost wrath. There were two verses of complaint, and here are two of confidence; it is well to weigh out a sufficient quantity of the sweet to counteract the sour.”
This is my first webcast. It is an experiment, but meant to bless and encourage just as anything I would write on here. But I promise, next time, I will do something more to make my visage more appealing. Until then, I thank you for extending grace.
I first heard about George Mueller while listening to a sermon series by John Piper. This series, called "Men of Whom the World Was Not Worthy", is comprised of biographical sermons on great men in Christian history: Luther, Newton, Spurgeon, Wilberforce, Augustine...and lesser known greats like Athanasius, Brainerd, and Mr. Mueller.
George Mueller is best known for his prayer life and for the orphanage he ran. It is said that his every breath was a prayer and that he cared for tens of thousands of orphans without every askng anyone but God for the funds to do so.
Since he qualifies as a man of prayer, I think knowing and learning from what he had to say about prayer is good and right and would be profitable for all of us. A friend shared this with us at small group last night...and, so...I am passing it on here:
1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only ground of any claim of blessing. "Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do" (John 14:13,14).
2. Separation from all known sin. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18).
3. Faith in God's Word of promise as confirmed by His oath: "He that cometh to God must believe that He is...a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
4. Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly. "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3).
5. Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest. "Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him?" (Luke 18:7).
“It is always the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us pay attention to ourselves instead of to Christ. He insinuates, ‘Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you do not have the joy of His children; you have such a weak hold of Jesus.’ All these are thoughts about self, and we will never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self. He tells us that we are nothing, but that Christ is all in all.’” - Charles Spurgeon
