Devotion • April 24
Today's Hymn
“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”
Hast thou not bid us love thee, God and King;
all, all thine own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind?
I see thy cross; there teach my heart to cling.
O let me seek thee, and O let me find!
by George Croly
Hymn 688, Glory to God
verse 3
Reflection
The Christian faith is rich with paradoxes. The deeper one delves, the more questions arise. In my human lifetime, I won’t get answers to all of my questions, but that’s OK. It’s the dedication to the pursuit of knowing God that pleases God.
Take Jesus, God’s Son, who in flesh became knowable to humankind and converted hearts with his compassion, humility, grace, and wisdom. Jesus gave up his life for our salvation, in order that God’s will be done.
A stark contrast to most self-aggrandizing conquerors, who win kingdoms through acts of violence and through demoralization of the people.
Jesus’ victory was accomplished through a selfless and faithful act, was/is spiritual in nature, and endures for eternity.
Another example of paradox: within the Bible, we find the word of God; a collection of written historical accountings, laws and teachings, songs of praise and prayer, prophecies and testimonials.
However, Word, when capitalized, as in John 1:14 NRSVue, takes on pivotal significance:
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”
“Word” refers to Jesus, who was the embodiment of God’s revelation to humankind: fully divine and fully human.
So, we come to God’s first commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” as referred to in the hymn verse “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart.”
Simple enough, right? Yet difficult.
Within our human nature is threaded a strong desire to go it alone. Self-reliance is an admirable trait. Yet our Christian faith requires our acknowledgment that all things come from God and asks that we involve God in all aspects of our lives.
Our priorities, our choices, our sacrifices. And at the center, Christ.
Prayer
Holy God, you sent your precious Son, Jesus, to live among your people so they might know your boundless love. Thank you for Jesus! Grant me wisdom, courage, and humility to keep a Christ-centered life. Amen.
Written by Holly O’Mara, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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