"I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. xviii. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatHow those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished. Let the path I daily walk in not be a crooked, corrupt and perverse path. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. One day the Lord spoke to me through a particular scripture. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. 1. I am as certain of this as I am that I am alive; he has given me new tastes, dispositions, and desires; the sins I once loved I now hate, and the holiness which heretofore I had no care for I now long after; hence I am sure the Lord has begun his work in me. 23, 24). 1. 13-16).4. We could never discharge our duties properly if we were to be perpetually distracted by the consciousness of what was around us: and, above all, we might be daunted by the perpetual thought of the presence of God, and so be paralyzed instead of helped. To reveal the supreme interest of human life. The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other. (Weekly Pulpit. AugustineOf Holy Virginity. Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. The text, however, itself, is its own guard. lxxxv. The thought will flash across us that God sees us. He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways. 1, 2. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. According to Scripture, we can be certain that God will perfect everything that concerns us because God cares about us. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. Our hearts will put us in mind of God's eye being upon us every now and then involuntarily. It is perfectly plain from the elevated central point of view where we now stand, and in the focal light in which we now see, that no man can be justified before God upon the ground of personal character; for that character, when subjected to God's exhaustive scrutiny, withers and shrinks away. The right state of mind plainly is to have the thought of God's presence so perpetually at hand that it shall always start before us whenever it is wanted. He is always at work organizing our lives to bring Him glory and grow us in Christlikeness. 1, 2. 7 ad 3m II. If it be God's plan for you for life you will carry it through. We become unconscious of everything by long use. vi. 1. v. 22). 19-22).3. Before the Searcher of hearts all mankind must appeal to mere and sovereign mercy. v. 22). The separate, personal thinking of God toward every one of us.(1)Innumerable.(2)Constant.II. We cannot live long with men without catching something of their manner, of their mode of thought, of their character, of their government of themselves. We do not agree with Momus, neither are we of his mind who desired to have a window in his breast that all men might see his heart. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. : The fact that God is always present and knows every minute trifle in our lives, and that His unerring judgment will assuredly take count of every detail of our character and our conduct, neither exaggerating nor omitting, but applying absolute justice; this truth is one of those which lose force from their very universality. Nay, more, this process of self-inspection may go on indefinitely, and the man grow more and more thoughtful, and obtain an everlastingly augmenting knowledge of what he is and what he does, so that it shall seem to him that he is penetrating so deeply into those dim and shadowy regions of consciousness where the external life takes its very first start, and then he may be sure that God understands the thought that is afar off, and deep down, and that at this lowest range and plane in his experience he besets him behind and before.II. He may be an uncommonly thoughtful person, and little of what is done within his soul may escape his notice; nay, we will make the extreme supposition that he arrests every thought as it rises, and looks at it; that he analyzes every sentiment as it swells his heart; that he scrutinizes every purpose as it determines his will; even if he should have such a thorough and profound self-knowledge as this, God knows him equally profoundly and equally thoroughly. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN KNOWS OF HIMSELF. 19-24). The answer is a daily walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. But yet there is another, not less powerful than any, which deserves special mention. S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 13-16).4. He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways. iii. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration St. In the day when I cried Charles KingsleyOut of the Deep. That of siding with Him against evil (vers. To Dominicus, Bishop. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. That act whereby another being knows my secret thoughts and inmost feelings is most certainly inexplicable.I. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be Charles Haddon SpurgeonSpurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859Question of the Contemplative LifeI. And this perpetual though not always conscious sense of God's presence would, no doubt, if we would let it have its perfect work, gradually act on our characters just as the presence of our fellow-men does. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me." ( v.16-17) An enemy is someone who wants harm to come to you either by their own action or by someone else's. He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one St. That of welcoming the Divine searching (vers. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. "Show me as much as I can stand, Lord." So what did God show him. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. What sunshine of the soul we should enjoy! 2. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. Those who are always hearing pure and high principles set forth as the guides of life learn to value and to know them even faster than they can learn to live by them. Self-consciousness has been the problem of the philosophic mind in all ages; and the mystery is not yet unravelled. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. 2. 8). Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. It is a simple question of time; a simple question whether it shall come here in this world, where the blood of Christ "freely" flows, or in the future world, where "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."(W. We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. To Dominicus, Bishop. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. so his questioner asks again; and the psalmist is at no loss for reply. Those who live much in a court acquire courtly manners. God has made us so. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. I. 8). But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. 6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. If we had such a window we should pray for shutters, and should keep them closed.God omniscientWeekly Pulpit. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. That of adoring and constantly thoughtful reverence (vers. If that Being has gone down into these depths of human depravity, and seen it with a more abhorring glance than could ever shoot from a finite eye, and yet has returned with a cordial offer to forgive it all, and a hearty proffer to cleanse it all away, then we can lift up the eye in adoration and in hope. With our past of perversity; what can we do but cast ourselves on God's infinite pity? Patience under trial and strength in adversity thrive under the all-seeing eye. Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. Ps. And though we thought that we had suffered loss from the tardiness of their coming, yet we find gain from their more abundant charity; seeing that from this delay in point Saint Gregory the Greatthe Epistles of Saint Gregory the GreatThe Coming Revival"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. G. T. Shedd, D. D.: One of the most remark. GOD.1. It's a collection of assorted personal concerns, like "come soon before winter if you can" (verses 9, 21) and "bring my cloak from Troas" (verse 13), and "watch out for Alexander the coppersmith" (verse 15), and "nobody showed up to support me at my defense" (verse 16), "but the Lord stood by me" (verse 17), and "greet . If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. (Weekly Pulpit. (2)Unseen world.(3)Everywhere. A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. "O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years."--HAB. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. For whereas man sinned, and is fallen, and by his fall all things are in confusion: death prevailed from Adam to Moses (cf. His omnipotence (vers. And this will generally be just when we are tempted to do wrong, or perhaps just when we are actually beginning to do it: some secret sin of which no one knows or dreams perhaps, some self-indulgence, which we dare not deny that God condemns. This is the communion with Him, and with Christ, which unquestionably helps the struggling, the penitent, the praying, more than anything else. (Isa. The brilliant searchlight sweeping the broad ocean and revealing even the smallest craft on its surface is but a faint type of the Eternal Light from which no sinner can hide his sin. But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. The grace of God makes a man thoughtful, and leads him to concern about himself, his life, his future, and the completeness of the work of grace. vi. 10But the angel said . 231 and 1506: "Faith in Perfection", and, "Choice Comfort for a Young Believer." Verse 8. The brilliant searchlight sweeping the broad ocean and revealing even the smallest craft on its surface is but a faint type of the Eternal Light from which no sinner can hide his sin. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. "God will perfect everything that concerns you." ( Psalm 138:8, NKJV) I have heard my wife use King David's phrase many times in her public prayers. As Romans 8:28-30 says: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God; so shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple, and my complaint shall come before Him; it shall enter even into His ears.--Ps. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! 1. The Lord Will Perfect All That Concerns Me Is a Declaration of Faith When David said the Lord will perfect that which concerns me, he was making a declaration of faith. You are listening to the voice of Bill Johnson from a sermon given some years ago, and Johnson is poisoning his flock with the heretical doctrine of kenosis. Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. Whence the march and trend of history, always revealing "a power not ourselves, which makes for righteousness," and which sweeps away opposition like dust before the oncoming storm? We must understand that everything in life has a spiritual ear. Psalm 138:8 KJV - The LORD will perfect that which - Bible Gateway feel that assuredly he has got hold of a secret that too many of us do not possess, some less-favored one than the speaker comes up to him with wonder, wistfulness, perplexity, and desire written plainly on his countenance, and begins to -, 1. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. v. 22). He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways. Like the air we breathe, like the light we see, it involves a mystery that no man has ever solved. Hence Paul Leo the GreatWritings of Leo the GreatSense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. The poet multiplies expressions to indicate how complete is God's knowledge of him. For if God's exhaustive knowledge of the human heart waken dread in one of its aspects, it starts infinite hope in another. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. cxxxviii. The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! That of siding with Him against evil (vers. The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? AugustineOn the Good of MarriagePrayer Out of the Deep. 17, 18).2. In the day when I cried Charles KingsleyOut of the DeepWherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind32. David praises God for the truth of his word4. So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. 7 ad 3m II. [2105] And these without all controversy we take to be humble. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? So that whenever we are on the point of doing or saying anything cowardly, or mean, or false, or impure, or proud, or conceited, or unkind, the remembrance that God is looking on shall instantly flash across us and help us to beat down our enemy. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. (4)In the dark as well as the light.3. The Coming Andrew MurrayThe Ministry of IntercessionForasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race1. 24).(W. The self-knowledge, remember, must come in the one way or the other. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. Now, in this condition of things, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. It is a fearful distinction (Genesis 28:17). A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. lxxxv. They cannot be numbered! The strophe closes with a frank confession of the writer's impotence and awe. How shall we learn to walk by His side? I receive perfect joy, health, favour and breakthrough in the name of Jesus. This was basically what David was doing when he declared The Lord will perfect that which concerns me., Scriptures: 7. Chapter i. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made John CunninghamThe Ordinance of CovenantingIntroduction. And though we thought that we had suffered loss from the tardiness of their coming, yet we find gain from their more abundant charity; seeing that from this delay in point Saint Gregory the Greatthe Epistles of Saint Gregory the GreatThe Coming Revival"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSome Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThat the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. We could never discharge our duties properly if we were to be perpetually distracted by the consciousness of what was around us: and, above all, we might be daunted by the perpetual thought of the presence of God, and so be paralyzed instead of helped. October 27th, 2022 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your Hands. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. He is in (1)Heaven. And here let us look upon the bright as well as the dark side of this subject. The self-knowledge, remember, must come in the one way or the other. St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. 6. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. 23, 24). A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. 7 Bible Verses About God's Perfect Timing - Abide and Seek The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made John CunninghamThe Ordinance of CovenantingIntroduction. The simple question, then, which meets us is, Wilt thou know thyself here, and now, that thou mayest accept and feel God's pity; or wilt thou keep within the screen, and not know thyself until beyond the grave, and then feel God's judicial wrath? In the day when I cried Charles KingsleyOut of the DeepWherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind32. Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. v. 22). We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. II. 15. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. Now, in this condition of things, God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. 7 ad 3m II. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. the regular habit of reading the Bible at a fixed time, the occasional reminders of ourselves that God is looking on, these are our chief means of learning to remember His presence. That exquisite pleasure in sin, which comes from its fancied concealment, is utter folly. This is living with God. Rom. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. 7. ad probam IV. The thought will flash across us that God sees us. 1, 2. : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. Our relation toward such a God should be 1. But in almost every case the dazzling rays of a searchlight frustrated the attempt, and the fugitives' vessel was captured by the Americans. He compasseth man's path, and his lying down, and is acquainted with all his ways. 2. And when I wake up, you are still with me!" We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. He will revive us."--HOS. 1. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God; so shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple, and my complaint shall come before Him; it shall enter even into His ears.--Ps. : While the Americans were blockading Cuba, several captains endeavoured to elude their vigilance by night, trusting that the darkness would conceal them as they passed between the American war-ships. Then is the moment to choose whether or not we will live in the presence of God; then when the finger of conscience is pointing to Him and saying, "He is looking at you. "(Archbishop Temple. But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, AthanasiusSelect Works and Letters or AthanasiusCovenant Duties. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. There is, therefore, nothing wrong in our forgetting that we are in the presence of God any more than there is anything foolish in our forgetting that we need air to breathe or light to see by, or that if we fall we may hurt ourselves: just in the same way as we very often, and quite rightly, forget that we are in the company of men who will take notice of our faults. But if that knowledge whereby man knows himself is mysterious, then certainly that whereby God knows him is far more so. It is perfectly plain from the elevated central point of view where we now stand, and in the focal light in which we now see, that no man can be justified before God upon the ground of personal character; for that character, when subjected to God's exhaustive scrutiny, withers and shrinks away. The self-knowledge, remember, must come in the one way or the other. Real Life Church: Ankeny, IA > Perfect Peace The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. Hoyt, D. D.)God's knowledge of manW. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him Saint Bernard of ClairvauxSome Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThat the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? xviii. That act whereby another being knows my secret thoughts and inmost feelings is most certainly inexplicable.I. From the just we learn justice; from the charitable we catch an infection of charity; from the generous we receive the instinct of generosity. The faith of that Centurion He on this account chiefly praised, and said St. The worst has been seen, and that too by the holiest of beings, and yet eternal glory is offered to us! In a sermon preached before the Virginia Company in 1610 William Crashaw advanced a range of arguments to justify the Virginia enterprise. He professes his confidence in GodDictionary of Bible ThemesPsalm 138:86708predestination8125guidance, promise8441goalsPsalm 138:7-81265hand of GodLibraryFaith in PerfectionIn the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. (2)Unseen world.(3)Everywhere. Well," he says, "I know the Lord has begun his work in me. Psalm 138:8 King James Version 8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. G. T. Shedd, D. D.: One of the most remark. What are those things you are standing for and believing that the Lord will bring to pass concerning you, beloved take the Word of God as it and with a simple faith believe in your heart that His promises will not fail to the ground but will fulfill all it intend to do in your life and situation in Jesus Name. In the day when I cried Charles KingsleyOut of the DeepWherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind32. To Dominicus, Bishop. ", 4. (Weekly Pulpit. The conclusion of the strophe is striking. But He sees all, His eye takes in the immeasurable universe. GOD ACCURATELY AND EXHAUSTIVELY KNOWS ALL THAT MAN KNOWS OF HIMSELF. As they are the works of His hands, they must be very dear unto Him, He cannot but love them and delight in them, and He rests in His love. The faith of that Centurion He on this account chiefly praised, and said St.