My King of Heaven

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
 Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

 (Luke 19:38 NLT)

“Be Thou My Vision” is a Christian hymn of Irish origin.  The words are based on a poem attributed to a sixth-century Irish poet and Priest, Saint Dallan Forgaill, who had gone blind.

One of the lines of the poem goes, “High King of Heaven, my victory won.

May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n sun” The powerful words of this song indicate that this Irish Priest, who could not see the world around him, saw God like most of us don’t.  He had a vision of heaven, like many of us, can’t grasp.

I will be seventy-four years old on my next birthday.  As I ponder about heaven, it seems sweeter with every succeeding year.  I don’t want to die, clinging to life is normal, yet when God calls my number, I don’t think I will argue.  As I have said before, you can be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good, but you can also be so earthly minded you have no heavenly vision. 

Forgalill wrote, Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

                          High King Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

I can only add, be Thou my vision, my Creator, and God.

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Be Thou My Vision | Celtic Worship Debut Album 'Homeward' Available NOW: http://celticworship.co.uk

 

Grace Over Nature

But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.  “No, my father,” he said. “This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.”

 (Genesis 48:17-18 NLT)

God's sovereign will does not always choose by order of nature.   God often picks the younger over, the older, and those seemingly less qualified over others.

Jacob and Esau

Manasseh was Joseph's oldest son.  The first-born always was the first to receive their inheritance.  In modern-day monarchies, the eldest son or daughter is first in line to the throne, not so with God.  Remember, Isaac was chosen before Ishmael, Jacob before Esau, Moses before Aaron, and David before his elder brothers.  God does not choose based on birth order, the education degrees we possess, or the affection that others' may place upon us.  He decides as he pleases.  That is why we call him God.

Joseph was upset because of Jacob, his Father, ignoring the rule of natural succession in his family.  Today, we get angry because someone is picked for leadership that may be less well-positioned, or seemingly less qualified than others.  We can be particularly distressed when that choice is someone else before us. 

One of the most freeing things I have ever learned is that I don't always have to be first.  God calls us through the grace bestowed upon us through our gifts and natural abilities. These gifts and talents are commensurate with our level of calling.  It is not about our age or position in an organization, but God's sovereign will.  God knows where we will be most effective and fulfilled.  Grace always prevails over nature.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.

Ken Barnes, the author of  “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places”  YWAM Publishing
Email:  kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: Ken Barnes' Book Site
Blogs: http://kensblog757.blogspot.com
            http://gleanings757.blogspot.com

Job-Humility and Repentance

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. (Job 42:1-3 NLT)

 

People have read Job for centuries and have pondered about their suffering.  We can only understand our pain and anguish like Job did, through humility and repentance.

In Chapter 40, God asks Job a question. "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?" Then Job answers contritely, "I am nothing---how could I ever find answers?"  I will put my hand over my mouth in silence." Sometimes we have to quit talking before we can hear from God.  Humility always precedes finding wisdom.  

God proceeds in this chapter and following to ask Job sixty-six questions, none of which he can answer.  Talk about bombing an exam.  The Lord was trying to say that he was God, and Job wasn't.  There is a great line in the movie "Rudy" by an old Catholic Priest, who said, "In thirty-five years of ministry there is one thing I have learned for sure.  There is a God, and I'm not him." Humility is just a proper view we are in relation to who God is.  Pride confuses the role of the creature and the Creator.

Suffering can make us bitter or better.  God never does explain to Job why he suffered.  Life is complicated, it is more than a cause and effect relationship. Job did not suffer because of his sin, nor was he blessed later due to his righteousness? Humility and repentance can make us look upon our blessings as a gift rather than an entitlement, which none of us deserve. 

The last thing that Job said to God was, "I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes" (v.5).  Humility always opens our eyes to see who God is.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.

Ken Barnes, the author of  “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places”  YWAM Publishing
Email:  kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: Ken Barnes' Book Site
Blogs: http://kensblog757.blogspot.com
            http://gleanings757.blogspot.com