Archives: March 2008

Reading:
Psalm 138

I have too many unfinished projects.

Some are that way because I forgot about them.

Others are that way because I have more important ones to do.

And yet others are that way because I gave up on them and quit.

So I like this verse:

“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands” (8).

He’s still working on me!

He hasn’t forgotten. He hasn’t set me aside for someone more important. He hasn’t given up.

Yes, indeed — His mercy is everlasting!

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

The proud he knoweth afar off (Psalm 138:6)

from Psalm 138:6

A little bit more from Psalm 138: The Lord Is No Quitter!

And building on it to the glory of God
Reading:

Psalm 137

Zion (ie Jerusalem) was (as well as represented) the Israelite’s heritage and identity.

But in general, they had despised and their hearts had wandered from that identity and heritage. They didn’t want it? They didn’t treasure it? Well, then, God drove them from their land and destroyed Jerusalem.

Then their feelings changed, but too late, of course.

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion” (Psalm 137:1).

What is my spiritual heritage and identity?

Christian, Anabaptist, Mennonite — that’s what. (And that’s the order.)

By the grace of God, I will not despise nor turn from nor forget any of the three.

Is my experience with and among all three perfect? Of course not.

What of it?

Are there hypocrites or immature ones among those who embrace all or any of the three? Yes. Many.

What of it?

God is yet at work!

Why should I give up or settle for a downgrade?

On the other hand, where elements of my heritage, identity, faith, and practice are short of God’s best and distant from His heart, I want to improve them. They must — absolutely and without exception — fall in line with God’s Word and will. As must I.

Well, this post has a different feel to me than do most in this blog. And it certainly is incomplete and, therefore, very vulnerable to attack and to being misunderstood. But it gives you a bit of a glimpse into my heart. Oh, and I suppose I ought to end with an important disclaimer: I do not look down on nor hold in contempt those whose Christian heritage and identity is different from mine.

How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:4)

How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:4)

A little bit more from Psalm 137: If I Do Not Remember