Only Jesus, only Jesus

January 17, 2019

Psalms 6:1-10

“Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.  Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.   My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?  Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.  Among the dead, no one proclaims your name.  Who praises you from the grave?

 I am worn out from my groaning.  All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.  My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.  Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.  All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.”

David knew God, King David often made a mess of his life much like you and I do.  Yes, he made some bad choices, and yet like you and I he knew these truths that God had an unfailing love for him.  David also had a fear of the Lord and when confronted by his sins, was quick to seek God’s forgiveness.

It is very early in the morning and as I lay in bed not wanting to get up because I have a busy day, the book “Valley of Vision” came into my mind.  It is a book of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, and on page 96 I read this prayer. “O God, I bless thee for the happy moment when I first saw thy law fulfilled in Christ, wrath appeased, death destroyed, sin forgiven, my soul saved.

Ever since thou hast been faithful to me: daily have I proved the power of Jesus blood, daily have I known the strength of the Spirit, my teacher, director, sanctifier.

I want no other rock to build upon than that I have, desire no other hope than that of the gospel truth, need no other look than that which gazes on the cross.

Forgive me if I have tried to add anything to the foundation if I have unconsciously relied upon my knowledge, experience, deeds, and not seen them as filthy rags, if I have attempted to complete what is perfect in Christ; May my cry be always, Only Jesus only Jesus!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice