I have the awesome privilege of leading worship at the gathering of our church this afternoon.  One of the songs I chose is one that has become a personal favorite, and by the way our church sings it, I can tell that I’m not the only one.  In very plain words it communicates God’s grace in the face of my sin, rebellion, and deserved wrath.  What a mystery that I’ve been adopted and am now seated at the family table!

I also found it interesting and encouraging to read the background of Pat Sczebel writing the song (and how it was actually passed over for recording/publishing the first time!).  That link also contains a video of the song from the 2009 NEXT conference.

Here are the lyrics:

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

Words and music by Pat Sczebel
© 2003 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).

“Just another day in paradise.”  This is often the phrase that my co-workers and customers reply with when I ask them how their day is going.  Your typical worker today looks forward to the weekend like an 8 year old does to Christmas.  We know we have to work to provide for our families, and some of us do enjoy our jobs; but if given the chance we might all secretly desire an early retirement of spending our days reading in a leather chair or playing golf.  However, I hope this day off affords us the opportunity to think about work biblically.

God’s first statement to newly created man is presented as a blessing for man to work and do God’s will.   [28] And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28 ESV) Only because of the Fall do we view our G0d-given task as “work” and not blessing.  This is seen by what Lamech, Noah’s father states, “[28] When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son  [29] and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” (Genesis 5:28-29 ESV) Since the Fall man has been searching through success, inheritance, stocks, and investments to find a way out of work.

We are given a glimpse of rest from work in God’s rest after His work of Creation, and then the command to rest in Exodus 20:10.  Hebrews 4 also speaks to us to pursue rest in God as a means of keeping us from disobedience.  Jesus also came and did the work of His Father, God’s will, and completely and perfectly accomplished it by the power of the Spirit in Him (John 4:34;10:25; 17:4).  So while looking forward to the rest that is to come weekly and eternally, let us work in light of it being God’s will for us now.  God works, created us in His image to work, and promises rest in Him.  What joy to work and labor not just for money to feed our family or pay the bills, but to be image-bearers of God and fulfill God’s will for us.  Believer take heart that there is no difference with God in your occupation, but He through His plan for you has designed you to do that which you are doing.  So brothers and sisters work; work with joy in God knowing he is using your work to conform you to His image and bring Him glory in you doing His will.  Pray to the Spirit to work these ideas of work in you for the glory of God and your sanctification.

(For more on this subject of vocation, Tim Tsuei preached this message from Colossians a few months back.)

It was good to hear the message that God gave to Josh this past Sunday.  He spoke from the text in James 1:22-27 with a message entitled “Authentic Christians.”  You can find the message here.

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This morning, I came across a blog dedicated to “Practical Shepherding” for pastors.  It’s very helpful and a recent post gives some good tips for how we all can help minister to the widows and others in need in our church body.

HT: Challies

Tim