May 1st, 2020 – Morning Devotion With Pastor Dan
“And at midnight a cry was heard; ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!”
I woke up this morning with a thought in my head, a thought that you have all had at one time or another, a thought that formulates itself as a question, “Is Jesus coming back soon?” I was thinking that and about what it is going to be like to meet Jesus, to see Him face to face. Now I know we as believers have met Him already in that we have a relationship with Him by being born-again, but you know what I mean. What will it be like when we see Him face to face. Speaking of that, His word says….
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him like He is. (1 John 3:2)
What a glorious day that will be! Have you ever wondered what that moment might look like? Have you ever wondered what you would say? Keep in mind at that moment things would be completely different for us. Why, because we will be like Him. WOW! It is not that we are in anyway equal, but we will be like Him in every way possible. That day folks is one day closer, one day closer to His return by the time you read this.
I, like you, think about meeting Him one day. But in the meantime, you and I are to meet with Him every day. Every day in His Word, and every day in prayer. Of course, I trust that you are doing this at this very moment. So in my reading I came across this prayer from an un-named Puritan, found the book “The Valley Of Vision,” on the premise of meeting with the Lord, and I would like to share its depth with you.
Great God,
In public and private, in sanctuary and home, may my life be steeped in prayer, filled with the Spirit of grace and supplication, each prayer perfumed with the incense of atoning blood. Help me, defend me, until from praying ground I pass to the realm of unceasing praise.
Urged by my need, invited by Thy promises, called by Thy Spirit, I enter Thy presence, worshipping The with Godly fear, awed by Thy majesty, greatness, glory, but encouraged by Thy love.
I am all poverty as well as all guilt, having nothing of my own with which to repay Thee, but I bring Jesus to Thee in the arms of faith, pleading His righteousness to offset my iniquities, rejoicing that He will weigh down the scales for me, and satisfy Thy justice. I bless Thee that great sin draws out great grace, that, although the least sin deserves infinite punishment because done against an infinite God, yet there is mercy for me, for where guilt is most terrible, there Thy mercy in Christ is most free and deep.
Bless me by revealing to me more of His saving merits, by causing Thy goodness to pass before me, by speaking peace to my contrite heart; strengthen me to give Thee no rest until Christ shall reign supreme within me, in every thought, word, and deed, in a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens me to Thee, and ever clings to the cross.
Puritan Prayers and Devotions
Oh that you and I could meet with our God with the same heart that this Puritan would meet with Him. Lord, may this happen for us, and in us.