The Sun Comes Up, It's a New Day Dawning

Sunrise, October 17 2012

'The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name'

'You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name'

Early Morning, October 16, 2012

'And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name'

From Nehemiah 8

'On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak til noon ... And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law...Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people lifted their hands and responded, 'Amen! Amen!' Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground...

'Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, 'This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep' For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah said, 'go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'

***

So I was thinking about that this morning, and what an amazing thing it is that, in spite of our sin, we can have total forgiveness, be totally cleansed and free and GUILTLESS before God because Jesus willingly took the punishment for our sin and gave us His perfect righteousness in return.

But for some who've never known that forgiveness, guilt is something that clings to us, burdens us, stifles us, binds us. When the children of Israel were read the Law, they realized their sinfulness and the sinfulness of their fathers. They mourned. They wept. But they were told to grieve no longer, go out and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks...for 'the joy of the Lord is your strength.'

There is nothing like having one's sins forgiven, to have a clean slate, no lingering guilt, because Jesus paid for it all at the Cross. And 'there is no other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.' It's only Jesus. 

There is freedom in Christ. And when I'm tempted to fall into a pit of guilt, I remember that Jesus paid for that guilt. Then he took his cloak of righteousness and wrapped me up in it.

Romans 8:31

'If God be for us, who can be against us?'

Mine is to cling to Him and rejoice and celebrate, for the joy of the Lord is my strength!

***

You may not be familiar with the song I've been quoting.  We've been singing it in church lately, and I love the message. If you have a minute, be sure to play the YouTube clip to hear it. It just might make it to your 'favorites' list.

***

'Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

I'll worship Your holy name.'