Before the throne
I’m in the Gospel of John at the moment basking in the glory and mystery of the Word made flesh who died and rose again. I can get so caught up in examining the great movements and movement leaders of Christianity. But all that is worthless unless the life of Christ is being formed in me.
I think I’ll park in John for a while. It’s my favourite book of the Bible. I spent last year in Luke doing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. It changed my life and the way I read the Scriptures as the living Word of God.
Ten years ago I heard the author John White speak on his devotional life. He had gone beyond discipline to the joy of knowing Christ. It showed. That’s what I wanted. John Piper cast a similar vision in Desiring God. Larry Crabb’s Finding God and David Watson’s Fear No Evil did the same. A biography of Ignatius Loyola ruined me.
It’s been a long journey. I’ve stumbled and wandered on the way. God is faithful. He is also fierce.
Every now and again I get a glimpse of what Paul meant when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil 1:21
Moved to tears last Sunday as we sang this hymn to an Irish tune:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
Back in the 70s my mum told me one day short hair and hymns would come back. Don’t you hate it when your mum is right?
