Come Down, Lord!

While spending time in the hospital again and facing a number of unknowns, I found myself reflecting on the lyrics of the hymn Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me . I thought I’d share a few thoughts I jotted down during that time.* A. “What gift of grace is Jesus, my Redeemer.” I don’t know what you are facing today, and none of us can know what we may face tomorrow. We do know the Lord gives and the Lord takes away (Job 1:21). And we also know that we ought to be able to say with Eli: “It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good (1 Samuel 3:18).” Sometimes we find ourselves saying these things in the midst of what some call “dark providences.” And truly, some things do feel dark. When our bodies fail, when death looms ahead, when loved ones are taken from us - the grief, fear, and pain can be palpable. But as believers, we are not called to stoicism. Even now, we may “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). Even now - in this night season - God c...

 "Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners." There is a promise in this text that is often missed. Jesus was grieved by the failure of the disciples, but He was also at perfect peace.  He knew what He was about.  He knew what was in men.  No one had to tell Him. This - of course - was why He had come.  So He grieved at their faithlessness, but He was not anxious.  He was saddened by their failure to watch and pray, but He was not angry.  They had proven to be what they were: unstable, doubting and weak; but Jesus meant to show them again who He is: merciful, faithful, steadfast and strong.   Klaas Schilder wrote, "He knows they have left Him quite alone, and that they can never enrich Him because they are mere fragments of misery.  And now fully aware of that, He goes to take up the cross for them.  K...