thanksgiving

  • Can our God forget! O! Covenant grace! ~ Jeremiah 31:20

    "Was ready to give up in despair; .... and had scarcely any hope that I should ever again behold the light of God's countenance. Yet such is the inconceivable goodness of God to his perverse and froward children, that he was pleased, even then, to melt my stubborn heart with the displays of his love. Felt so overwhelmed with a sense of his goodness and my own ingratitude, that I could not look up, or hardly venture to throw myself at his feet. My heart was broken within me, to think that I should still ungratefully requite such infinite goodness."

    ~ Edward Payson
    Jeremiah 31:20
    Is Ephraim my dear son?
    Is he my darling child?
    For as often as I speak against him,
    I do remember him still.
    Therefore my heart yearns for him;
    I will surely have mercy on him,
    declares the LORD.

    How can God forget?
    But how can He bless
    Children so froward
    Children so perverse
    Fallen and falling
    Creatures unworthy
    Nothing good in us
    No pleasantness

    Can our God forget!
    O! Covenant grace!
    Exceeding jealous!
    For His Church, zealous!
    Inconceivable!
    Be silent! Tremble!
    Abundant goodness
    Grace to the ruthless!
    To His remnant peace
    From the prison release
    Granting repentance
    Dance! O daughter, dance!
    The Beloved's heart yearns!
    His bowels – O! how they stir!
    Favors ever heaping
    My wand'ring heart keeping!

    How can God forget?
    O! How He must bless
    Wondrous remembrance
    Fervent earnestness
    From heavenly heights
    Drops mercy's delights
    Not for our own sake
    But for Jesus Christ!

    Can our God forget!
    O! Covenant grace!
    Exceeding jealous!
    For His Church, zealous!
    Inconceivable!
    Be silent! Tremble!
    Abundant goodness
    Grace to the ruthless!
    To His remnant peace
    From the prison release
    Granting repentance
    Dance! O daughter, dance!
    The Beloved's heart yearns!
    His bowels – O! how they stir!
    Favors ever heaping
    My wand'ring heart keeping!

    How can God forget?
    In Christ He must grace
    Infinite goodness
    Shining countenance
    "Is there injustice?"
    Be silent, all flesh!
    Jacob He has loved
    Esau He has hated

    Can our God forget!
    O! Covenant grace!
    Exceeding jealous!
    For His Church, zealous!
    Inconceivable!
    Be silent! Tremble!
    Abundant goodness
    Grace to the ruthless!
    To His remnant peace
    From the prison release
    Granting repentance
    Dance! O daughter, dance!
    The Beloved's heart yearns!
    His bowels – O! how they stir!
    Favors ever heaping
    My wand'ring heart keeping!


    "All my days, I have grieved, provoked, and dishonored God, and he has done nothing but heap favors, and pardons, and honors upon me. O, it affects me, to think of his goodness. O that all the world knew how vile I have been, and how good he has been in return. Could Christians know his dealings with such a wretch, they would surely never, never distrust him again. And yet I, who do know it, shall distrust him again. I shall again grieve and provoke him, as in times past, and perhaps, be left to bring a reproach upon religion. I never felt myself to be so much in danger as at this moment. I am happy in my own soul—happy in my external circumstances; but I rejoice with trembling. I dare not resolve that I will not suffer myself to be led away or lifted up. I dare not say, that, by to-morrow, I shall not feel stupid and ungrateful as a block; or even full of rage and enmity as a devil. But I never felt more able to hang upon Christ, and trust him to keep me up. He knows, I trust, it is my earnest desire to be stripped of all my blessings, and left utterly destitute, rather than be drawn by them away from him."

    ~ Edward Payson


    Romans 9:14  What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15  For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion...”


    Acts 5:30  The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31  God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32  And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.


    Deuteronomy 7:6  For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7  It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8  but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9  Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 10  and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. 11  You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today.


    Zechariah 2:10  Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. 11  And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 12  And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.

    13  Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

    Psalm 31:19
    Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
    which you have stored up for those who fear you
    and worked for those who take refuge in you,
    in the sight of the children of mankind!
    * * *

    Acts 20:20  ... how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21  testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Source: Edward Payson in "Memoir, select thoughts and sermons of the late Rev. Edward Payson, Volume 1 by Edward Payson (1783-1827) and Asa Cummings," 171 and 213-214.

    Related posts ....

    on Edward Payson...

    A New Year's Eben-ezer (Morning by morning I do awake ... O! the mystery of sovereign grace)
    In loss and grief ... "You maun just go the mair to Jesus." ~ James Laing
    don't waste your new year ~ teach us, satisfy us, make us glad (Psalm 90:12-15)
    Though the waves arose
    John 3:36a Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life (letter 64 on assurance & joy)
    "give me also springs of water" - Will you be an Achsah? (letter 66 on assurance & fighting for joy)
    Can there be more? | letter 113 on assurance & fighting for joy
    Advent #1 WHY HAS JESUS COME? that we might have life & life more abundantly
    Advent # 5 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might draw near to God | Even a Vapor
    we did not choose, He chose us, worthy the Lamb, solus Christus
    Wake up and tremble, rightly ascribe
    when grace delays, has Love gone astray? ~ a hymn of assurance
    In hope against hope believe, Blessed are all who believe
    even in my disappointment - still blessed by my Father
    As the Visible Disappoints

    Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • A New Year's Eben-ezer (Morning by morning I do awake ... O! the mystery of sovereign grace)

    I Samuel 7:12  Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen,
    and called the name of it Eben–ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

    Eben-ezer = stone of the help

    Morning by morning I do awake
    Fully satisfied with my Beloved's face
    O! the mystery of sovereign grace
    Boundless supply for all the saints!

    With empty hands to Him I came
    "Sola Gratia!" - my loud refrain

    By grace alone I was saved
    Worthy the Lamb who was slain!

    By grace alone I am retained
    Here, see my Eben-ezer raised

    Through valley shadows God does sustain
    In wilderness pours refreshing rain

    My Lord and my God be praised
    Salvation comes through no other name!

    Morning by morning I do awake
    Fully satisfied with my Beloved's face
    O! the mystery of sovereign grace
    Boundless supply for all the saints!

    My Shepherd neither slumbers nor sleeps
    Exceedingly zealous for all His sheep

    Apart from grace my heart would fly
    My feet would slip, irretrievably slide

    My highest resolves, my noblest desires
    Can never match the Spirit's living fire

    Year by year and hour by hour
    God's grace bestowed, all-sufficient shower

    O! apart from Christ, where would I be?
    All glory to God and none to me!

    Morning by morning I do awake
    Fully satisfied with my Beloved's face
    O! the mystery of sovereign grace
    Boundless supply for all the saints!

    I Corinthians 9:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29  That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

    Psalms 115:1  Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

    Related:

    Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Work found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sonnenaufgang_New_South_Wales.jpg / CC BY-SA 3.0

  • From top of head to soles of feet ~ O my Father! ... O my Advocate!

     

    Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...

    Romans 7:18: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

    Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.   7  And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

    8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father...

    From top of head to soles of feet
    Of the first Adam, in sin conceived
    Against God, carnal mind of enmity
    Unclean – no good thing dwells in me!

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    From the womb born speaking lies
    My sin is ever before mine eyes
    Lamb of God, wash me, or I die!
    Father, have pity, hear my cry!

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Can the leopard change a single spot?
    How can I even one sin blot?
    All my best works decay and rot
    In sin's vise, helplessly caught

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Worldly sorrow producing death
    But godly sorrow never regretted
    Always leads to living repentance
    Breathe on these slain, O Spirit's Breath!

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Cleanse me of my sinfulness
    Clothe me with salvation's garments
    Create in me a new heart of flesh
    Desiring only righteousness

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Precious blood, come purify
    Lamb of God, wash me, or I die!
    Plunge me in Your crimson tide
    O Baptizer, descend and revive!

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Make me holy as Thou art!
    Rend and break my stony heart
    From mine iniquity strengthen me to depart
    Can you despise this broken heart?

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Holy light of Christ, flood and stream
    Unveil my wicked heart of deceit
    On my hidden idols, shine Your beam
    All goodness dwells in and flows from Thee

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Cleanse me to the deepest part
    Place in me a supple heart
    Teach me wisdom in the inward part
    Make me holy as Thou art!

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    For us You suffered, Your body was scourged
    By Yourself our sins You did purge
    Gracious blessings for our curse
    Atonement for the sinner worst

    O my Father, have pity on me
    Remember my frame, that I am weak
    O my Advocate, my perfect Plea,
    Do not break this bruisèd reed

    Of Your righteousness I will speak
    For no good thing dwells in me!
    O, my Advocate at the mercy seat:
    Jesus Christ the Righteous avails for me!

    Seated at the right hand of Majesty
    Unsearchable riches for Abraham's seed
    To sup with Christ in the heavenlies
    Fat things full of marrow, wines on the lees!

    Why, O Father, such love to me?
    My sin cast into the depths of the sea
    Falling down upon my knees
    Glory to God! Grace abounds to even me!

    O my Christ, such ecstasy!
    I have tasted and I have seen
    In the wilderness, a delightful feast
    The choicest wine, the finest wheat

    Who is a God like unto Thee?
    Not treating us according to our iniquities
    Passing over sin, delighting in mercy!
    Redemption through Christ to Adam's fallen seed

    I John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

    I Peter 3:18a  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit...

    Romans 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

     9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

    12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

    15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

    18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.


    Psalm 103:10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

    I John 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.


    Related:

    My posts on dealing with past sins & guilt
    Advent # 5 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might draw near to God | Even a Vapor

naphtali_deer

About me...

Christian hedonist in training. Pressing on to know more and more of the joy of the LORD. Pleading with God to rend the heavens and revive and refresh my own soul, as well as His Church, to His praise, honor and glory.

Thank God. He can make men and women in middle life sing again with a joy that has been chastened by a memory of their past failures. ~ Alan Redpath

My other websites

tent of meeting: Prayer for reformation & revival

(See also Zechariah821. Zechariah821 is a mirror site of tent of meeting, found on WordPress)

deerlifetrumpet: Encouragement for those seeking reformation & revival in the Church

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