As for me,
I trust myself entirely to the One
who desired to save me,
knew the way to do it,
and had the Power to carry it out.
Bernard of Clarivaux
I trust myself entirely to the One
who desired to save me,
knew the way to do it,
and had the Power to carry it out.
Bernard of Clarivaux
This was a quote that was included in today's Lent Devotional by Ty Saltzgiver. What a succinct articulation of my experience as I have walked with God. And as I look back on the journey, I realize the great mystery involved in the saving. God took advantage of every little small foothold I gave him and turned it into something so much more than my feeble heart was willing to yield at that time. He has taken the lunches I have offered up over the years--sometimes willing, sometimes begrudgingly, sometimes in desperation--and miraculously turned them into feasts of epic porportion. And many (if not most) of the times I never really saw it happening...I just looked back and realized that it was there! Ty gives the following illustration and it certainly fits with this experience:
"What little I know about the battles of WWII fought island by island goes like this: The enemy held the island. Bombs would soften the enemy for our attack and entry. The marines would land and establish a 'beachhead'. Then, eventually they'd take over the island. When the Marines established their 'beachhead', they had control of 5% (or less) of the real estate of the island, yet they would radio, 'The Marines have landed; and the situation is well in hand'. The love of Christ in our hearts and our surrender to Love's control seems much the same way. Knowing Jesus loves you (He died for you and me) may have only a beachhead in our heart, but with our prayer and desire combined with the Holy Spirit's persistent attack, Christ's love moves over the island of our heart and life...."
"What little I know about the battles of WWII fought island by island goes like this: The enemy held the island. Bombs would soften the enemy for our attack and entry. The marines would land and establish a 'beachhead'. Then, eventually they'd take over the island. When the Marines established their 'beachhead', they had control of 5% (or less) of the real estate of the island, yet they would radio, 'The Marines have landed; and the situation is well in hand'. The love of Christ in our hearts and our surrender to Love's control seems much the same way. Knowing Jesus loves you (He died for you and me) may have only a beachhead in our heart, but with our prayer and desire combined with the Holy Spirit's persistent attack, Christ's love moves over the island of our heart and life...."
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
...I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Leviticus 26:13
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
I John 4:10
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing
Robert Robinson
Exodus 14:14
...I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Leviticus 26:13
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
I John 4:10
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing
Robert Robinson
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