Gazing On the Lord in Glory
I had a life altering experience with God recently.
For me, the Lord deals with sin in my life 1 thing at a time. He reveals the fact that I am voluntarily being bound by a sin, and then gives me a way out. He teaches me what’s right, what’s wrong, and how much He loves me…and see’s me as He would see His own Son. That’s amazing enough in itself. That alone is enough to make me want to serve Him whole heartedly. But this last time God had to deal with some sin in my life, it shook me to the core. I realized that God is a jealous God, and He wants me…ALL of me. What am I doing giving my life to sinful lusts and desires of my wicked heart? How did I get so far from Him? How did I let sin creep back in and get a foothold? When did God become less important than sin? Shameful.
He took me to the cross. He TOOK ME to the cross. He didn’t just show me the cross, He took me there, and it broke me. I kneeled on the floor, my hands over my head, and shook and sobbed in anguish of soul. For the first time I realized that not only did He take it for me…He took it FROM me. I could see…almost feel the sting on my back and the awful dirty wounds on my head, and my feet, and my hands. I felt so dirty, so awful and sinful and gross. I repulsed myself, and I deserved it. That wasn’t what brought on the anguish of soul…it was when I saw Him place his hands over mine and when He removed them, my skin was left unmarred, and the wounds were transferred to Him. I could see the pain reflect in His eyes, in His furrowed brow. His back…the dirt and the sweat and the blood that covered the seeping cuts and bruises…the thorns on my brow…did I really puff myself up that much? To wear a crown? It went on His head, and dug into his skin….Over this I was in anguish of soul. My heart broke within me, and the tears fell like rivers. MY SIN WAS PLACED ON HIM. He took it from me because He loves me. And because of that sacrifice I no longer have to be bound by sin…yet I fall into it time and again…and He still forgives me. The look in His eye was love. I don’t fully know what love is, but He is love, and I want to know Him more. He said I am forgiven, my sins are paid for…and just as He said to the woman they were going to stone- “Go, and sin no more.” He does not hold my sin against me. But He wants me to be fully and completely devoted to Him in mind, soul, and spirit. And the sin? It repulses me. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that I would value that sin more than the sacrifice on the cross. God’s grace is bigger. It covers me. I have repented, and I am forgiven. Seen blameless in the sight of God.
The next morning, after I gathered with my brothers and sisters to break bread together, and remember the Lord in his death I went away rejoicing like I never have before. It was a day I will never forget. God is big! He is good. And He loves me. I wish I could put into words the feeling in my heart, but it goes much deeper than that. Have you experienced the grace of God?
I had a life altering experience with God recently.
For me, the Lord deals with sin in my life 1 thing at a time. He reveals the fact that I am voluntarily being bound by a sin, and then gives me a way out. He teaches me what’s right, what’s wrong, and how much He loves me…and see’s me as He would see His own Son. That’s amazing enough in itself. That alone is enough to make me want to serve Him whole heartedly. But this last time God had to deal with some sin in my life, it shook me to the core. I realized that God is a jealous God, and He wants me…ALL of me. What am I doing giving my life to sinful lusts and desires of my wicked heart? How did I get so far from Him? How did I let sin creep back in and get a foothold? When did God become less important than sin? Shameful.
He took me to the cross. He TOOK ME to the cross. He didn’t just show me the cross, He took me there, and it broke me. I kneeled on the floor, my hands over my head, and shook and sobbed in anguish of soul. For the first time I realized that not only did He take it for me…He took it FROM me. I could see…almost feel the sting on my back and the awful dirty wounds on my head, and my feet, and my hands. I felt so dirty, so awful and sinful and gross. I repulsed myself, and I deserved it. That wasn’t what brought on the anguish of soul…it was when I saw Him place his hands over mine and when He removed them, my skin was left unmarred, and the wounds were transferred to Him. I could see the pain reflect in His eyes, in His furrowed brow. His back…the dirt and the sweat and the blood that covered the seeping cuts and bruises…the thorns on my brow…did I really puff myself up that much? To wear a crown? It went on His head, and dug into his skin….Over this I was in anguish of soul. My heart broke within me, and the tears fell like rivers. MY SIN WAS PLACED ON HIM. He took it from me because He loves me. And because of that sacrifice I no longer have to be bound by sin…yet I fall into it time and again…and He still forgives me. The look in His eye was love. I don’t fully know what love is, but He is love, and I want to know Him more. He said I am forgiven, my sins are paid for…and just as He said to the woman they were going to stone- “Go, and sin no more.” He does not hold my sin against me. But He wants me to be fully and completely devoted to Him in mind, soul, and spirit. And the sin? It repulses me. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that I would value that sin more than the sacrifice on the cross. God’s grace is bigger. It covers me. I have repented, and I am forgiven. Seen blameless in the sight of God.
The next morning, after I gathered with my brothers and sisters to break bread together, and remember the Lord in his death I went away rejoicing like I never have before. It was a day I will never forget. God is big! He is good. And He loves me. I wish I could put into words the feeling in my heart, but it goes much deeper than that. Have you experienced the grace of God?
"I have been crucified with Christ. Now it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me. The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me, and gave Himself up for me" Gal 2:20
This hymn was called out that morning.
1. Gazing on the Lord in glory, While our hearts in worship bow,There we read the wondrous story Of the cross—its shame and woe.
2. Every mark of dark dishonor Heaped upon the thorn-crowned brow. All the depths of Thy heart's sorrow Told in answ'ring glory now.
3. On that cross, alone, forsaken, Where no pity'ng eye was found;Now, to God's right hand exalted, With Thy praise the heavens resound.
4. Did Thy God e'en then forsake Thee, Hide His face from Thy deep need?In Thy face once marred and smitten, All His glory now we read.
5. Gazing on it we adore Thee, Blessed, precious, holy Lord;Thou the Lamb, alone art worthy— This be earth's and heaven's accord.
6. Rise our hearts, and bless the Father, Ceaseless song e'en here begun,Endless praise and adoration To the Father and the Son.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
