Valley of Vision: Privileges

The Banner of Truth Trust ^ | 1975 | Arthur Bennett

[Gamecock]

O Lord God,

Teach me to know that grace precedes,

accompanies, and follows my salvation,

that it sustains the redeemed soul,

that not one link of its chain can ever break.

From Calvary’s cross wave upon wave of grace

reaches me,

deals with my sin,

washes me clean,

renews my heart,

strengthens my will,

draws out my affection,

kindles a flame in my soul,

rules throughout my inner man,

consecrates my every thought, word, work,

teaches me thy immeasurable love.

How great are my privileges in Christ Jesus!

Without him I stand far off, a stranger, an outcast;

in him I draw near and touch his kingly sceptre.

Without him I dare not lift up my guilty eyes;

in him I gaze upon my Father-God and Friend.

Without him I hide my lips in trembling shame;

in him I open my mouth in petition and praise.

Without him all is wrath and consuming fire;

in him is all love, and the repose of my soul.

Without him is gaping hell below me, and eternal

anguish;

in him its gates are barred to me by his precious

blood.

Without him darkness spreads its horrors in front;

in him an eternity of glory is my boundless

horizon.

Without him all within me is terror and dismay,

in him every accusation is charmed into joy and

peace.

Without him all things external call for my

condemnation;

in him they minister to my comfort,

and are to be enjoyed with thanksgiving.

Praise be to thee for grace,

and for the unspeakable gift of Jesus.

[Gamecock]

This prayer is taken from a collection of Puritan works titled "The Valley of Vision." First published in 1975 by Arthur Bennett, the book has been used by many Christians for prayer, as a devotional, or just plain reflection.

I plan to post one each day and hope that each of you will benefit from a brief glimpse into the mind of the Puritans. If you would like on or off of this ping list please let me know.

Please, no flaming, cussin' or wagering.

[Gamecock]

VoV Ping

...if the death of Christ on the cross is the true meaning of the Incarnation, then there is no gospel without the cross. Christmas by itself is no gospel. The life of Christ is no gospel. Even the resurrection, important as it is in the total scheme of things, is no gospel by itself. For the good news is not just that God became man, nor that God has spoken to reveal a proper way of life for us, or even that death, the great enemy, is conquered. Rather, the good news is that sin has been dealt with (of which the resurrection is a proof); that Jesus has suffered its penalty for us as our representative, so that we might never have to suffer it; and that therefore all who believe in him can look forward to heaven.

James Montgomery Boice (July 7, 1938 - June 15, 2000)

[FreeRep]

Amen.