THE SOUNDS OF THE REDEEMED

Time with Jesus - Friday, 09 March 2012

Hi all,

There are times when we must admit that we should be standing on our heads. The world we live in appears to be completely the opposite of what God’s Word informs us about the Kingdom of God. The way to the top in the world is up. To get on in the world we have to more or less fight our way until eventually we arrive at the top of the muck heap. We then find that it is still a muck heap and the cost in time, effort and getting past others leads to mental strain and burn out. Furthermore, staying at the top requires industrial and political “clout” which “takes the gilt off the ginger-bread”!

This is not the way to the top in the Kingdom of God. In fact there is already someone at the top. He is God. So don’t bother. But we are told that if we want to be great in the Kingdom of God, we must be the servant of all. Now I don’t know anyone in this world who is answerable to his servant. It doesn’t work that way. But the Bible teaches that if I want to be “better than you” (the statement is incongruent with Scripture) I must be your servant. The Politicians have got it right. The UK is led by the Prime Minister. He/She is supposed to be everyone’s servant. Perhaps someone will inform Mr Cameron in the UK of this rather unpalatable requirement.

In South Africa, at least we are honest. We have a President; the top man in a huge bureaucracy which seems intent on self survival! In the Kingdom of God, the secret is to die to self! Essentially, I’m told that the way up is down. That’s what Jesus did. He laid His life down for all of us. In this life we get a chance to try it. No man or woman has ever completely succeeded; although I’m told that the late Mother Teresa came close.

The one thing we are all taught in this life is that we get rewarded for effort; the more the work, the greater the reward. So in the end we can all sing Frank Sinatra’s favourite doctrine. “I did it my way!” Our libraries are stacked with books telling us how to do it.

The Kingdom of God is the opposite. Not one of us will be admitted on the basis of what we have done. Admission is based on what Jesus did. Sure we have a part to play. That part is faith in His finished work on Calvary! I’m not sure any of us understand this. It goes against everything we’ve learned from infancy. But we are talking about God’s Kingdom. So the best we can do is say, “Lord, if that’s what you want, whom may I serve today?”

Today’s meditation speaks of the song of the redeemed. It’s written slightly differently, but with the same style as yesterday. It’s another attempt at my trying to explain the inexplicable.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The Sounds of the Redeemed

The choir was singing a wonderful song. The four living beings, they too sang along. The twenty four elders did more than just croon. The hundred and forty four thousand in tune! All praising the Saviour, who opened the way, So all the redeemed could enter and stay. They sang in amazement; for nothing at all Had made any worthy to answer His call. His mercy alone washed their sins far away. He was the reason they’d entered to stay. Life through the Spirit of mercy and grace, Shown by the Saviour to all in that place, Had made it possible, through faith alone. “Sinners” could come to His wonderful throne. Mercy had given them all they would need. So they rejoiced in God’s marvellous deed. All had been given a life that was new. Trusting the Master was all they need do! How can this possibly make any sense? Jesus alone had made full recompense. No one could brag of the things they had done. All had been given by Jesus, God’s Son. So they gave glory for the steadfast love; Streaming to them from the Father above. He had been faithful in every way, So they could come to the Father to stay. Cleansed from all sin by Him shedding His blood. Pouring on men in a glorious flood. They give Him glory, for He set us free! All kings and priests by His death on the tree! From every nation and from every tribe; Every language that we can describe; People all standing in front of His throne, Praising His Name for the love He has shown! Dressed in white linen with palms in their hands Saved by our God through the blood of the lamb. Shouting aloud and all praising His name. “Thank You Lord Jesus that you really came. Jim Strickland  Written 9th March 2012