I had a busy Friday. Both my language and maths tutorials flowed over with conversation. In language we began translating a chunk of the beginning of Plato’s Republic. In maths, instead of demonstrating the propositions we’d prepared, we had a seventy-minute discussion on what Euclid meant by “ratio compounded of the ratios of the sides.” It was fascinating. Observing ratios and proportions through the lens of someone who didn’t have algebra (ratios are not necessarily fractions yet, because we don’t have numbers yet) to help him is a tough and rewarding task. I’ve written two page-long papers on it, but I won’t post them because they’re so site specific and I doubt most of you have been perusing the Elements recently.
After class I took a little bit of downtime, walked, and prayed, and then I met Jonathan and his friend, whom I had met previously when I went with him to Philadelphia last semester, at a local diner on Main St. We had a good time, but I didn’t eat there. Then I went back on campus and sat with a friend for a while, chatting with some people I don’t see often. Michael and I went to a Christian Fellowship meeting together. We talked about Romans 8. Excellent chapter. At the end we sorted through some of the modern theology connected with those passages. What I know for certain: victory belongs to the Lord.
God has amazed me a few times today. He lifted me from the pits. He’s taken me through so much. I must confess, though, that over the past few days I’ve struggled with doubt. I never doubted the Scriptures in the sense that I didn’t think they’re true, but that I haven’t been acting like their true. (Now, which is more important to me? Which is more important to God?) I haven’t been walking in boldness and confidence and victory. I haven’t been alert. But I can feel the blood. I can see the coal coming to touch my lips. I know the Lord is calling out to me, “Courage! Peace! Joy, for strength!” I’ve had a few experiences comparable, though not as dazzling, to that described in Daniel 10. Yesterday Jesus stretched out His hand to me and helped me off my knees as I finished praying out on the quad. This morning I heard the Spirit whisper, “The Son is rising,” and I suddenly felt compelled to stand. I know that God will use His people to be prophetic and powerful. What I must continue to remember is that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:10 NASB). To walk in the prophecies laid before me I must walk in the testimony of Jesus. To speak out the prophecies laid before me I must speak in the testimony of Jesus, the Lamb who was slain for the forgiveness of all.
Praise the Lord in the pleasant days. Rejoice in Him when the warm wind blows. Praise the Lord in the darkest moments. Hope in Him when the sun seems to be blotted out. “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Whether we think we’re in “the best of times” or “the worst of times,” God’s purpose is being fulfilled; if we’re living according to His purpose, then only the promises of God await us in the covenant proffered through the body and blood of Christ Jesus. Amen.
After class I took a little bit of downtime, walked, and prayed, and then I met Jonathan and his friend, whom I had met previously when I went with him to Philadelphia last semester, at a local diner on Main St. We had a good time, but I didn’t eat there. Then I went back on campus and sat with a friend for a while, chatting with some people I don’t see often. Michael and I went to a Christian Fellowship meeting together. We talked about Romans 8. Excellent chapter. At the end we sorted through some of the modern theology connected with those passages. What I know for certain: victory belongs to the Lord.
God has amazed me a few times today. He lifted me from the pits. He’s taken me through so much. I must confess, though, that over the past few days I’ve struggled with doubt. I never doubted the Scriptures in the sense that I didn’t think they’re true, but that I haven’t been acting like their true. (Now, which is more important to me? Which is more important to God?) I haven’t been walking in boldness and confidence and victory. I haven’t been alert. But I can feel the blood. I can see the coal coming to touch my lips. I know the Lord is calling out to me, “Courage! Peace! Joy, for strength!” I’ve had a few experiences comparable, though not as dazzling, to that described in Daniel 10. Yesterday Jesus stretched out His hand to me and helped me off my knees as I finished praying out on the quad. This morning I heard the Spirit whisper, “The Son is rising,” and I suddenly felt compelled to stand. I know that God will use His people to be prophetic and powerful. What I must continue to remember is that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:10 NASB). To walk in the prophecies laid before me I must walk in the testimony of Jesus. To speak out the prophecies laid before me I must speak in the testimony of Jesus, the Lamb who was slain for the forgiveness of all.
Praise the Lord in the pleasant days. Rejoice in Him when the warm wind blows. Praise the Lord in the darkest moments. Hope in Him when the sun seems to be blotted out. “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Whether we think we’re in “the best of times” or “the worst of times,” God’s purpose is being fulfilled; if we’re living according to His purpose, then only the promises of God await us in the covenant proffered through the body and blood of Christ Jesus. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment