His Excellence Declared

Michael E. Wood

May 7, 2013

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 2 Corinthians 3:5

While in the process of sermon preparation I feel the weight of the responsibility of the task at hand and when confronted by the magnitude of the glory of God in the things of which He speaks through His Word I am reminded that our sufficiency comes from God. I am likewise reminded by the Holy Spirit of remaining sin and pride within myself which humbles me to think that I have been given such a privilege and through feeling my own weakness and inadequacies understand my need for dependence upon our Father to give that which is best to the praise of His glory through the person of His Son.

My thoughts I cannot form alone

But grace from You divine

Comes flowing like the sap of life;

Abiding in the Vine,

As from Your Word, You teach me

By Your Spirit now in fear

That I may draw the closer

By Your love which is so dear.

So help me learn to please You

By my thoughts and actions here

Which manifests Your glory

By Your smile with every tear

That’s shed when I yet view afresh

The condescending blows

Of wrath endured for all my sins

By Christ alone who knows

The magnitude of love You have

For every single child

You bring to birth to demonstrate

His worth as undefiled.

Oh help me now fresh courage take

That others may behold

The power of the cross of Christ

The proof of Him as told

From lips of weakness and of clay;

His excellence declared

By life and words while speaking forth

Your glory He has shared!