Michael E. Wood
September 12, 2011
O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrong doings. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy! Psalm 99:8, 9
While knowledge tends to puff us up, the pursuit thereof for the glory of God in Christ should never be abandoned. To know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to serve Him, even in the midst of bearing the consequences of former sins. Thanks be to God for those whom He has given to His body on earth to aid in our growth and understanding of the grace that has been brought to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit unto the praise of His glory. One such man is Ralph Venning (1621-74). The following is an excerpt from his book, “Learning in Christ’s School”.*
“Remember that though God has taken vengeance on some men’s sins, he has forgiven them (Psalm 99:8). And he may deal so with you, and not turn you into hell nor deal with you as your iniquity deserves, though he causes you to know so much sorrow and pain. Consider, too, that perhaps your humiliation has until now been only legal and selfish, that you have been more concerned that God was displeased with you than that he was displeased by you; that your tears have been more for your own shame and pain than for sin against God. If so be humbled for this also, and in due time he will exalt you to a better condition, or save you at last in spite of it.”
Is our concern for sins effect or how it makes us feel,
Or do we know in truth that our offense toward God is real?
Be careful how you answer this, for God sees through the mind
Into the heart, revealing darkest secrets to refine,
A people for Himself who will be humble and confess
Their sins against His character; against His holiness.
While some by nature shrink away with faith-like shifting sand,
Our Father in His faithfulness through Christ makes us to stand
Upon the promises conferred through Jesus Christ alone.
For all of whom He purchased when for sin He did atone.
And thus by Him, we’re raised in Him to face the mighty conflict
And bear the cross of sins remains which yet doth us afflict,
And though we be yet grieved at times, we must remember this;
True confession is the fruit of Christ our Righteousness.
In this we will now honor Him and trust His cleansing blood,
Rejoicing in the mercies of our Father like a flood
Which washes us continually by Christ our Intercessor;
Our Advocate in Whom we’re known, to God our Great Possessor!
We thank You, Father that Your glory is the one desire
That You place within each child through Christ to look much higher
Than any earthly gains that we may feel or hold in hands,
Till with Christ with bodies new, our feet in glory stands.
___________________
*This book is one of many Puritan Paperbacks which can be purchased through
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