Beyond the Words on Printed Page

Michael E. Wood
March 17, 2012

Romans 8:12-15
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Though it is good to be habitually studying and reading the Word of God, we may at times find that our pursuit of God Himself is lacking. Thankfully, He knows us far better than we know ourselves and stirs us afresh by His Spirit both to see and to feel our need of Him. How wonderful is the power of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by which we are crucified unto the world and the world unto us for the praise of His glory!

In Christ there are true riches which in time will never fade
And the luster of His Beauty yet grows brighter as we’re made
To partake of holiness whereby we enter in
To see Him as He is when by His grace we conquer sin.

Oh help us comprehend beyond the words on printed page
The glory and the power of Your Presence in this age
Of multiple distractions which reduce our vision of
The wonder that You purchased by Your own redeeming love;
Our spirit, soul, and bodies that You may produce in kind
The children of Your promise through the Spirit by Your mind.

This privilege You gave to us to know You through the Name
Of Jesus Christ Your only Son, who is today the same,
As ever He was yesterday and evermore shall be,
Forever and forever by the cross of Calvary,
The One who took upon Himself our sins to justify
Your holy righteous judgment when for us You heard His cry!
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
And by this great offence was our attempt to kill You too!

And how You could yet love us only You could comprehend
Before the world and for Your sake decreed Your Son to send,
To gather for Your glory a great remnant from mankind,
Giving sight through Jesus Christ to us who were by nature blind.

Oh help us see more clearly by Your Presence as You give
The grace that we have need of for each day to look and live
In such a way that honors You, Oh Father of delights,
And be used of You in this dark world as Your true lights,
Reflecting though but dimly, yet more brightly with each day
Until we are perfected in the Truth, the Life, the Way!