What a Gift
In regeneration, God is at work in the heart of those who are appointed for salvation. He gives the gift of grace so that those who were dead in trespasses and sins, can now believe by faith the truth of the gospel. We are changed from death to life. He takes a heart that was dead and unresponsive and makes it alive to God. For God who said, “light shall shine out of darkness”, is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). No longer are we under the condemnation of sin and guilt before God. Our hearts can now full of joy and gladness. The clouds of sin and sadness, and the darkness of doubt are melted and driven away through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. As we come together to sing to our great God, and Savior let us rejoice in this marvelous gift of salvation that God has given to us the redeemed!
Joyful and Comforted Response
How is one to respond to this marvelous gift? As we move further away from the Christmas season, and the physical gifts we may have received loose their luster, wear out, or become obsolete, we have the people who gave us those gifts. Although forgiveness is not to be compared to a new toy, we surely can recognize that forgiveness is not the end of itself. Rather, forgiveness returns us to our Lord. And it response, we sing :Joyful, Joyful, Lord We Adore Thee:
Joyful, Joyful, Lord we adore thee, God of Glory Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
Psalm 46:10 NASB says “cease from striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge Selah”. The KJV says Be still. It could read like this relax, let go! Remember God is sovereign over His creation. Isaiah 46: 9-10 says “remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from the ancient times things not yet done, saying “My counsel shall stand and I will accomplish all my purpose”. God plans and governs all things. We can be comforted in any trial we may face in this life knowing He is leading us to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side; With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul; Thy best, thy heavenly Friend. Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.