the lord will perfect that which concerns me sermon the lord will perfect that which concerns me sermon

There is, therefore, nothing wrong in our forgetting that we are in the presence of God any more than there is anything foolish in our forgetting that we need air to breathe or light to see by, or that if we fall we may hurt ourselves: just in the same way as we very often, and quite rightly, forget that we are in the company of men who will take notice of our faults. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. Chapter i. But yet there is another, not less powerful than any, which deserves special mention. That of siding with Him against evil (vers. Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. 19-22).3. 18 " Ep., cxxx. (Isa. 2. The thought will flash across us that God sees us. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made John CunninghamThe Ordinance of CovenantingIntroduction. That of siding with Him against evil (vers. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. That of a prayerful seeking of the Divine guidance (ver. This is living with God. Justice, in this reference, is out of the question. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. 100:4-5) When Moses boldly pleaded with God, "Please, show me Your glory," he was asking to see God for who He really is. Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? II. (Admonition 23.) This is living with God. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. When David said the lord will perfect that which concerns him, David wasn't saying how I wish the lord perfect that which concerns me. The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? The thought will flash across us that God sees us. Chapter i. The thought will flash across us that God sees us. His omniscience. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. 15. So, too, by living in the presence of God and, as it were, in the courts of heaven, we shall assuredly learn something of a heavenly tone, and shake off some of that coarse worldliness, that deeply ingrained selfishness, that silly pride and conceit which now spoils our very best service. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. The mercy of the creature is changeable; the mercy of Jehovah is unchangeable. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? II. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of Intercession, Forasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. 23, 24). 13-18). 73 views, 1 likes, 0 loves, 2 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Church of the Saviour UMC: Modern Worship, Church of the Saviour - January 29, 2023 Self-consciousness has been the problem of the philosophic mind in all ages; and the mystery is not yet unravelled. That of welcoming the Divine searching (vers. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. In the next verse the curious growth and unfolding of the embryo is referred to. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. )PeopleDavid, PsalmistPlacesJerusalemTopicsAbandon, Accomplish, Age, Chief, Complete, Concerneth, Concerns, David, Endures, Endureth, Eternal, Everlasting, Fall, Forever, Forsake, Fulfil, Fulfill, Hands, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Musician, O, Perfect, Psalm, Purpose, Steadfast, WorksOutline1. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. vi. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God7. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. When David said the Lord will perfect that which concerns me, he was making a declaration of faith. The text, however, itself, is its own guard. To Dominicus, Bishop. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. v. 22). xlix. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. God Will Perfect That Which Concerns You lxxxv. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. Justice, in this reference, is out of the question. To Dominicus, Bishop. There must be a foundation for the promise. sighs one troubled heart, "I fear I shall fall into many sins between here and heaven." Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. xlix. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. 18, 19. 7 ad 3m II. When it is in progress He will not leave it or suffer it to be marred He will carry it forward through its successive stages until it be finished to the glory of His name. Those who are always hearing pure and high principles set forth as the guides of life learn to value and to know them even faster than they can learn to live by them. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:9-13) GOD.1. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. And as God thus begins the work of a sinner's salvation from mercy, it no way depends upon our merit or worth. 2. God has made us so. 7. God has made us so. And here let us look upon the bright as well as the dark side of this subject. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God; so shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple, and my complaint shall come before Him; it shall enter even into His ears.--Ps. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be Charles Haddon SpurgeonSpurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859Question of the Contemplative LifeI. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. 15. It is a simple question of time; a simple question whether it shall come here in this world, where the blood of Christ "freely" flows, or in the future world, where "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."(W. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." But in almost every case the dazzling rays of a searchlight frustrated the attempt, and the fugitives' vessel was captured by the Americans. It is a simple question of time; a simple question whether it shall come here in this world, where the blood of Christ "freely" flows, or in the future world, where "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."(W. 13-16).4. 23, 24). But His mercy endureth for ever. There is a sweetness and a power in the very monosyllable, "Thy mercy"; because it is peculiar to God, it is His own property, it distinguishes Him. When we read the Gospels, we see that our Lord Jesus always took time to retreat to spend time in the presence of His Heavenly Father. It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. According to Scripture, we can be certain that God will perfect everything that concerns us because God cares about us. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. Cultivate a loving affection for Him.(Homilist. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. v. 14), the earth was cursed, Hades was opened, Paradise shut, Heaven offended, man, lastly, corrupted and brutalised (cf. Even in its most rudimental form, invisible to any other ken, it is still open to His eyes, and He determines all its subsequent development, recording in His book the days to come, i.e. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. Psalm 138:8, NASB: The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your faithfulness, LORD, is everlasting; Do not abandon the works of Your hands. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. Said Milton, speaking of his travels abroad when a young man: "I again take God to witness that in all places where so many things are considered lawful, I lived sound and untouched from all profligacy and vice, having this thought perpetually with me, that though I might escape the eyes of men, I certainly could not the eyes of God."4. ad probam IV. 24).(W. The fear of the Lord is far more than a Biblical teaching, principle or idea. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. (1)He knows our actions, ways, words, thoughts. But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. That of adoring and constantly thoughtful reverence (vers. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. 17, 18).2. "God is a Spirit," etc. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. Psalm 138:8 says "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me." Notice the word PERFECT. 7 ad 3m II. A man takes his money into the bank and leaves it. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. Our hearts will put us in mind of God's eye being upon us every now and then involuntarily. Before the Searcher of hearts all mankind must appeal to mere and sovereign mercy. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. The separate, personal thinking of God toward every one of us.(1)Innumerable.(2)Constant.II. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN MIGHT, BUT DOES NOT, KNOW OF HIMSELF. Now, in this condition of things, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. We could never discharge our duties properly if we were to be perpetually distracted by the consciousness of what was around us: and, above all, we might be daunted by the perpetual thought of the presence of God, and so be paralyzed instead of helped. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. 23, 24). What Is God's Glory? | Desiring God "He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. Louis Zamperini: Unbroken Hero and Olympic Athlete. 23, 24). Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." Hilary of PoitiersThe Life and Writings of St. Hilary of PoitiersPsalmsThe piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. His communion is unbroken. v. 22). Each of us must at some time face the crucial question: "Whom say ye that I am?" ( Matt. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. Those who are always hearing pure and high principles set forth as the guides of life learn to value and to know them even faster than they can learn to live by them. G. T. Shedd, D. D.: One of the most remark. But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. Help Me, LORD! - The Connecting Church Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. Hilary of PoitiersThe Life and Writings of St. Hilary of PoitiersPsalmsThe piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. Is it not a strange thing that the advanced believer, when he reaches to the very height of piety, just comes to the spot where he commenced? Lord this seventh month of the year, let Your hand of perfection rest mightily on me. 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' And though we thought that we had suffered loss from the tardiness of their coming, yet we find gain from their more abundant charity; seeing that from this delay in point Saint Gregory the Greatthe Epistles of Saint Gregory the GreatThe Coming Revival"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. ", 3. lvii. )PeopleDavid, PsalmistPlacesJerusalemTopicsAbandon, Accomplish, Age, Chief, Complete, Concerneth, Concerns, David, Endures, Endureth, Eternal, Everlasting, Fall, Forever, Forsake, Fulfil, Fulfill, Hands, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Musician, O, Perfect, Psalm, Purpose, Steadfast, WorksOutline1. Before the Searcher of hearts all mankind must appeal to mere and sovereign mercy. There is no cry so pitiful as "Nothing to live for." AugustineOn the Good of MarriagePrayer Out of the Deep. 24).(W. Rom. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? And what is the foundation of the promise? 19-22).3. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. And when I wake up, you are still with me!" 15. 5, 6. 19-22).3. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. He will revive us."--HOS. If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? (Weekly Pulpit. It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. Our relation toward such a God should be 1. Have you obtained a religion which is not the work of God? Ps. What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord? - Olive Tree Blog "(Archbishop Temple. G. T. Shedd, D. D.: One of the most remark. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatHow those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. There is no reason to mourn a son as lost who is a religious, still less to fear for his delicacy of constitution. Our hearts will put us in mind of God's eye being upon us every now and then involuntarily. What we are to understand by "that which concerneth me." 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' Rom. Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. The thought will flash across us that God sees us. )God all-seeing:In the mythology of the heathen, Momus, the god of fault-finding, is represented as blaming Vulcan, because in the human form, which he had made of clay, he had not placed a window in the breast, by which whatever was done or thought there might easily be brought to light. It is perfectly plain from the elevated central point of view where we now stand, and in the focal light in which we now see, that no man can be justified before God upon the ground of personal character; for that character, when subjected to God's exhaustive scrutiny, withers and shrinks away. 5, 6. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. Chapter i. That act whereby another being knows my secret thoughts and inmost feelings is most certainly inexplicable.I. 13-16).4. Sermon Outlines. But in almost every case the dazzling rays of a searchlight frustrated the attempt, and the fugitives' vessel was captured by the Americans. 19 III. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. For the Lord is good and His love is eternal, and His faithfulness endures to all generations." (Ps. 3. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. Ps. If we had such a window we should pray for shutters, and should keep them closed.God omniscientWeekly Pulpit. It is perfectly plain from the elevated central point of view where we now stand, and in the focal light in which we now see, that no man can be justified before God upon the ground of personal character; for that character, when subjected to God's exhaustive scrutiny, withers and shrinks away. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION (vers. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. That of adoring and constantly thoughtful reverence (vers. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. 4. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. 5, 6. 17, 18).2. [2105] And these without all controversy we take to be humble. Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. Cultivate a loving affection for Him.(Homilist. But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. AugustineOf Holy Virginity. able characteristics of a rational being is the power of self-inspection. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSome Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThat the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. Thomas AquinasOn Prayer and The Contemplative LifeEpistle Xlvii. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. The separate, personal thinking of God toward every one of us.(1)Innumerable.(2)Constant.II. vi. IV. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple St. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. Our personal salvation depends on our answer to that question and our commitment to that answer. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? The brilliant searchlight sweeping the broad ocean and revealing even the smallest craft on its surface is but a faint type of the Eternal Light from which no sinner can hide his sin. It is perfectly plain from the elevated central point of view where we now stand, and in the focal light in which we now see, that no man can be justified before God upon the ground of personal character; for that character, when subjected to God's exhaustive scrutiny, withers and shrinks away.