Saturday, October 20, 2012

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.'

Photobucket

20 comments:

Denise said...

Beyond lovely.

Sunny Sue said...

Love, love, love this song! As you spoke of God's forgiveness, I got that little twinge. You know the one you sometimes get when listening to a sermon and you feel like the pastor is speaking just to you? :-)
I TOTALLY believe in God's forgiveness, "know" what Jesus went through for me, etc. My struggle is letting it go myself. That is where guilt can sometimes hover. I can't seem to get the 2 pieces to fit together and totally feel God's peace. That's my ongoing struggle.

MadSnapper said...

the song is beautiful and I have not heard it before. in a sermon years ago, i heard this. every sin we commit is written in the book of life, when we accept Jesus, those sins are covered by his blood. when we all stand before the judgment seat, the page of our sins, will be wiped out by the blood of Jesus. at that time i was very young and i pictured that book with all the things written in it, and blood running down the page and the sins disappearing as it ran. guilt destroys us and is very difficult to get past. great post

Under Her Wings said...

Judy, you have so many ardent followers that you really don't need my comments anymore, but this is too wonderful to pass up. What a song, and what a Lord who gives us all that we need for life and godliness through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! And the very thought that ALL of our sins are washed away on the cross of God-made-man, who took our sins in His own body and forever made clean our slate. Oh, what a way to start the day! Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Deborah said...

It IS a wonderful way to start the day. I love everything about this post. Thank you for reminding us of His great love for us. :-)

Empty Nester said...

What a lovely post! I so need to remember this when guilt tries to weigh me down!

Ruth Kelly said...

Oh, if only more people really knew that He died for us and our sins are forgiven when we repent and ask for that which He gave us.

Amy Burzese said...

A lovely post. Isn't our world beautiful?

Unknown said...

Beautiful song! First time I hear it - and I like it. Enjoy your Sunday my friend. Hugs from Ireland

Debra Hawkins said...

What beautiful words and beautiful pictures to go along with it. I think we are all so lucky to know our Savior.

Terri D said...

A thoughtful and lovely post. Thanks!

Chatty Crone said...

Isn't it nice when we wake up in the morning and have a brand new chance to try to start over again? A new day a clean slate.

Amy said...

So beautiful and gorgeous! You really captured the moods and feelings in these pictures. :)

Unknown said...

Truly a lovely post, Judy. Thank you!

Bossy Betty said...

Gorgeous post and pictures!

Kristen Rettig said...

Beautiful post Judy. I haven't heard that song. My choir director sent this to me, so fun, make sure you watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=0jwkpd2nAto

Kristen

Parsley said...

A wonderful, encouraging post! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Amen! Love this!!
Thanks for linking up to the Mom's Mingle hop! Following you via GFC!
Barbara at Chase the Star
chasethestar dot net

Carla from The River said...

I love this song - wonderful! Thank you for posting.

The Farmers Daughter said...

What a beautiful post! We should all remember that song. . .

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