Fear of Disappointing God

I recently received the opportunity to read and review Max Lucado’s upcoming book “Fearless”, which is scheduled to be released on September 8th and on which date you will get to read my thoughts on it. Until then, I have to keep it “hush-hush”, but I am already being touched by it and God is putting His finger on some things in my heart.

I’ve known for a while that I struggle with fear. I fear losing those I love. I fear for my loved ones should I die unexpectedly. I fear failure. I fear pain. I fear disappointing people. But perhaps most of all, I fear disappointing God. This exact fear is the topic of Chapter 4 of Max Lucado’s book and not only do I fear disappointing God, but I assume that I already have and am constantly doing so. I’m one big disappointment. My sins, my compromises, and my failures seem so frequent that the only logical conclusion my mind can arrive at is that He must be extremely tempted to just give up on me, if He hasn’t already!

This fear of disappointing God seems to be closely linked to another issue that He is putting His finger on, which is self-hatred. “Hello – my name is Jacquie and I despise myself.” There – I said it! So, apparently this is a big problem, because when I hate myself, I expect that others also hate me and that God hates me. Even in my own marriage, though my husband consistently showers me with words of love and shows me by his actions that he adores me, I can be incredibly fearful and insecure about revealing my weaknesses to him. I decide beforehand, that since I am disgusted and repulsed by my own darkness, that surely my husband will feel the same way and will promptly reject me if he finds out about the real me. This makes me fearful and I try to hide my flaws from him, not trusting in his unconditional love for me.

The same goes for my relationship with God, only the terrible thing is that He sees everything about me and nothing is hidden from His sight!! If He can see what I see (and more!), then He most definitely must be disappointed in me! I then reason that if I can’t hide my sin from Him, perhaps I can just avoid contact and hide from His gaze so that I won’t see the look of disappointment in His eyes. Like Adam and Eve, I run from Him in shame and the enemy showers me with words of condemnation, which I willingly listen to, instead of looking to the Lord to see what’s really there. Even when He tries to affirm His love for me, I reject His words and cannot accept His love or forgiveness. A scripture which I have clung to over the last couple years and which I seem to need to go back to countless times is Psalm 34:4-5…

⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

Even as I was writing, He lovingly reminded me of a dream that He gave me over a decade ago, but which impacted me so deeply that it still brings tears to my eyes to this day. In this dream, I was an unfaithful wife who had left my husband to pursue other lovers and I was about to marry another man, only to recall that I was still married and would need to first find my husband and divorce him. This led to a journey of searching for him, which gave me a lot of time to remember how much he had loved me and realize what a fool I had been to leave him. As you can probably guess, my husband in this dream represented Jesus, and when I did finally find him, the memory that always strikes me is the look in his eyes. That look of disappointment I talked about? Nope – it wasn’t there. Disgust? Nope. Rejection? Nope. His look was one of the purest love and most sincere kindness and acceptance I have ever seen. His look invited me to come close and experience intimacy with him once again. There was no shame, no condemnation, no guilt-trip, no holding me at arms length. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes – perhaps some sorrow over the time lost – but I knew that he understood the pain in my own heart, the regret and sincere repentance for how I had wounded him. Now what if I had been so full of shame that I had kept my eyes downward, groveling at his feet? What if I had never looked up into his eyes to see what was truly there? And yet, I do this constantly!

Somewhere in my heart, I still believe that God is mostly disappointed in me and my self-hatred and fear keep me from looking to Him. Because I do not love myself, I keep a very good record of all the wrongs I have committed, so that each time I mess up, I remember my many previous grievances and I forget that His perfect love has wiped that record out! His mercy and forgiveness and the blood of Jesus have completely cleansed me from each and every one of those sins! I assume that He is recalling my muddy history and I don’t even want to come ask for forgiveness because I think He must be so weary of granting me mercy. Surely His patience has been worn paper-thin? Surely I’ve crossed the line this time? Surely this time He will say, “I’ve had enough!” But if I could just recall His love for me…His love that covers over a multitude of sins…His love that casts out all fear…His love that never fails.

Sigh…I feel like I am just barely scratching the surface of this and that there is still so much more in my heart that needs to be exposed, dealt with, healed, renewed. Yet, it’s a start. Perhaps it is time to start believing what He says about me and how He feels about me. I’ve heard it a thousand times, yet it needs to get past my mind and into my heart.

“Hello – my name is Jacquie and I am not a failure or a disappointment.”

“Hello – my name is Jacquie and God really likes me.”

“Hello – my name is Jacquie and God thinks I’m pretty great.”

“Hello – my name is Jacquie and I am loved and accepted by God – even as I am today.”

“Hello – my name is Jacquie and I am radiant. Beautiful. Flawless. Captivating. I have captured the heart of God.”

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

A little while ago, Mike Bickle at the International House of Prayer was teaching on the book of Revelation and he spent some time focusing on the fact that this book was meant to reveal Jesus to us, as it says in the first five words of the book, “The revelation of Jesus Christ…”.  For many, this book can be intimidating and confusing, and though it is meant to give us insight into “what must soon take place” by revealing details about the end of the age and the return of Jesus to the earth, it is primarily meant to show us who Jesus is.  The first chapter in this book actually contains 22 descriptions about Jesus (maybe even more), and so I was challenged to being meditating on and praying through them by following the simple acronym that Mike suggested – A.R.K.

A – Agreement: make declarations of agreement to Jesus about who He is and what He does. Simply declare the truth back to Jesus with affection and gratitude. For example, “Jesus, I thank You for being a faithful witness to the truth. I love this about You. I trust what You say”.
R – Revelation: pray for increased revelation of each description of Jesus. For example, “Reveal Yourself to me as the faithful witness and show me more of Your glory in this”. 
K - Keep the prophecy: by committing to respond in faith and obedience to the specific truths about His Name and by asking for God’s help to do so. We make simple declarations of our resolve to obey or to stand in faith in the Word. We also ask Jesus to empower us to do this. For example, “I commit to be a faithful witness to the truth regardless what it costs. Help me to walk this out”.

So, my desire is to go through all the descriptions of Jesus found in Revelation 1, as well as the others throughout the book, while dialoguing with Him, journaling, and blogging about the things He shows me about Himself.  It’s seemingly going very slowly and I am realizing that there is a lot of depth and richness in there that I hadn’t seen before, so I am happy to take my time discovering who He is! 

A helpful resource for your own meditation and study is an outline with the descriptions of Jesus and space to write your own brief notes using the A.R.K. acronym.  If you’re interested in reading the notes from the other sessions in this series by Mike Bickle, or even listening to the MP3′s, you can find it all here.  To read all of my blog posts on this subject, feel free to check out “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” category and I hope you will be stirred with hunger to search Him out as well and find yourself falling more in love with this God-man who is returning to claim us as His bride!

The Oil of His Name

Song of Songs 1:3
3 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes (good ointments);
your name is like perfume (ointment, aromatic oils, purified oil) poured out.
No wonder the maidens (virgins) love you!

Yesterday, my husband pointed something out to me that I had never considered before.  I have read the verse above from Song of Songs countless times, so I was a little surprised that I had never made the connection that he did, that this verse could be related to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25.  Of course, I then became intrigued and had to look at this story through this new lens!

As you may know, this parable is pertaining to the End-Times, when the Bridegroom of heaven returns to the earth.  We can probably relate to these ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom to arrive, but who became drowsy and fell asleep when he was “a long time in coming”.  Yet, while all ten of the virgins became weary in the waiting, still, five of them were wise and five were foolish. 

Five were prepared when he finally arrived and five were not.  The five wise virgins had extra oil for their lamps, but the five foolish virgins ran out of oil.  Five were welcomed into the wedding banquet and five were turned away at the door.  Five were known and five were not.

If you consider Song of Songs 1:3, this oil could represent the sweet perfume and ointment of Jesus’ name.  When the virgins have a revelation and knowledge of the name(s) of Jesus, then they are filled with love for Him.  In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul writes, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”  The foolish virgins in the story were not known when they came to the wedding (Matt. 25:12) and I believe there is a direct correlation between us being known by Jesus and our level of intimacy with Him and our knowledge of Him.  The oil we need is the revelation of His name – the knowledge of who He is and what He’s like, what He thinks and feels. 

The reason the virgins in Song of Songs loved the Bridegroom was because they were partaking of the sweet fragrance of His name.  At the end of the age, there will be those who have lived a pure and virtuous life, yet who will be found lacking in actual knowledge of the Bridegroom and consequently, also lacking in love for Him.  

Lately, the cry of my heart has been a desperate plea to know Jesus more.  I keep asking, like Paul writes in Ephesians 1:17, for the Spirit of revelation that I may know Him better.  I want the fragrant oil of His name to be poured upon my heart, that I would know Him and be known by Him.  I want an intimate knowledge of His heart, His personality, His character, His thoughts, His words, His emotions, and His actions.  In that day, when He returns, I want to be found ready, with oil in my lamp, and with passionate love burning in my heart.

Love Letters #867

To my Betrothed,

     It has been many years since I received my very first letter from you.  At the time, you were simply a friend of a friend, an acquaintance who I barely knew.  I was curious that you chose to write to me and perplexed that you showed an interest in my life.  I had heard many good things about you and couldn’t understand why you would be mindful of me?  I was rather absorbed in myself and my perceived problems in those days and wasn’t even considerate enough to write back.  And yet you continued to write to me, seemingly unfazed by my apparent lack of interest in return.  You showed a genuine concern for the difficult emotions I was experiencing and tenderly reached out to me, a young girl on the verge of womanhood.  I was sad, confused, and lonely and your sweet letters brought rare beams of light into my dark world.  Each tender word, penned with compassionate care, began to gently, yet persistently work its way into my heart.

     Then, on a day when the pain could no longer be ignored, I finally decided to write back.  I poured out my fears and found expression for the sorrows that caused such deep aching within.  I could only hope that you would read it and I had very little expectation of how you might respond when you could see just how unenjoyable my company would be.  Perhaps you would stop writing me when you saw the contents of my heart and yet it was a risk I had to take, for I had no one else to turn to.

     If only I had known what I know now, I would have written you much sooner!  Your response came to me almost as soon as I had sent my letter to you.  Your words of love and acceptance were more than I could bear and the torrent of tears that followed were like a healing balm upon my wounds.  After I had no tears left to cry, I discovered something was missing!  The awful aching inside, the depression that had been my constant companion was nowhere to be found!  Apparently there were still some tears left, because my eyes filled up again as I began to laugh with a joy I never dreamed possible.  I will never forget that day as long as I live. 

     Over the years, we became very close friends and I began to treasure your letters above anything else.  And somewhere along the way…I fell in love.  How could I not?  From the very first day, you pursued me and drew me near with your lovingkindness.  As I grew to know your heart and your character, I couldn’t help but begin to love you more and more with each word I read.  Even though I have still yet to meet you and see you face to face, I feel like I know you.  As I have poured endlessly over your letters, reading them again and again, my mind’s eye has sought to imagine what you look like and I have dreamt of gazing into your eyes, leaving me convinced that if I saw you, I would instantly recognize you.  At the same time, I am equally convinced that I have but barely scratched the surface of the incredible man that you are and I feel like there is still so much to discover, to search out, and to learn about who you are and what you think and feel.  I await your letters eagerly, as each one gives me one more glimpse into your soul. 

     You are the one I love!  And these words I write now feel so weak and inadequate to describe how I feel inside!  Can you sense the emotion behind these letters?  Can you peer into my heart and feel the longings and desires that are there, just yearning to find expression?  Do you understand this pain I feel at loving you and yet not being where you are?  To have found such love, yet still be waiting to be united with you?  Yes…I know you do.  You have told me many times of your own yearning to be with me.  For you are my betrothed.  I can hardly believe those words even as I write them.  Betrothed.  You are mine and I am yours!  Though we still await our wedding day, our commitment to one another is no less sacred or lasting.  We are promised to each other and it is binding.  Oh, that you would place me like a seal upon your heart, like the brand of a king’s signet ring that cannot be revoked, marking you as my own!  And I would do the same, for you have certainly marked me and ruined me for any other!  Just to think that you are truly mine is more than I can comprehend.  That you would choose to give yourself to me with such abandon and be willing to belong to me makes my heart soar with such gratitude and adoration.  Even your hands bear the engravings of my name upon them, a constant reminder of the price you paid to make me your own.

     For love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.  Your love has already overcome death and my love continues to grow with each passing day, as I seek to love you in return with that same intensity and passion.  My love for you bursts forth like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame, consuming me and overwhelming me with desire.  Oh that it would burn like an everlasting flame that cannot be quenched by the many floodwaters of this life!  I would desire for my love to be unswayed and unmoved by trials or temptations, by pain or persecution, or even by blessing and riches.  That if anyone were to offer me all the wealth of this world in exchange for your love, may I consider it an insult, an offer to be utterly scorned!  For you are the one I love.  I am yours and you are mine.  I have been marked by your holy love and I am humbled and in awe that you are likewise marked with the seal of my love.

Until the marriage feast,

Your Beloved

I am a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain

A meditation on Song of Songs 4:12, 15

“You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain…You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.”

Jesus, my Beloved, my Bridegroom – I want to be a spring enclosed and a sealed fountain^a that is kept pure and undefiled for you.  I desire to be a vessel for the living water that comes from your throne^b, a jar of clay that contains the treasure^c of the presence of your Holy Spirit within me^d.  As I drink deeply of the water that you offer me, would that same spring of living water well up in me to eternal life^e.  As your bride and as your wife, I long to be one whom you can come to and drink deeply of the fountain of my heart and that it would satisfy you and give you joy^f.  I desire that the well of my heart would be deep^g and rich and abundant, bringing you great pleasure and delight when you taste its water. 

Would you help me to, above all else, guard my heart, since it is a wellspring of life^h.  Help me to keep my heart pure and untainted by the mud and pollution of the worldⁱ.  Jesus, I desire for the wellspring of my heart to flow with righteousness and holiness, uncontaminated by sin or compromise.  May my fountain be yours alone, never to be shared with other lovers seeking to take a drink and steal what belongs to you^j.  Would you place a seal upon my heart and a lock that only you can open – a sign that I am yours and that you are jealous for me with blazing love^k.  Would you also seal any cracks or points of weakness that hinder me from being able to keep your presence in my life^l – make me like a spring whose waters never fail^m, a woman who is in constant communion with your Spirit and continuously being filled with your lifeⁿ.

Jesus, would you give me understanding^o and wisdom^p, would the words of my mouth drip with purity and righteousness^q, and may I have the fear of the Lord so that I could be a fountain of life^r.  Help me to see my heart as the rare treasure that it is, as a sweet, refreshing spring for my Beloved, so that I would guard it rightly and keep it pure for you.

a Song of Songs 4:12
b Revelation 22:1
c 2 Corinthians 4:7
d John 7:38-39
e John 4:13-14
f Proverbs 5:18-19
g Proverbs 18:4
h Proverbs 4:23
i Proverbs 25:26
j Proverbs 5:15-18
k Song of Songs 8:6
l Jeremiah 2:13
m Isaiah 58:11
n John 10:10
o Proverbs 16:22
p Proverbs 13:14
q Proverbs 10:11; James 3:9-12
r Proverbs 14:27

His Nearness is Desirable

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:16

His mouth is sweetness itself^a. There is nothing I desire more than to receive his communication of intimacy for me. Father, let Your Son kiss me with the kisses of his mouth^b. I want to know and experience this love that is better than wine^b. I want spiritual intimacy with my eternal Bridegroom, this one whom I will be married to forever. Let me have an understanding of the deepest things that dwell within his heart. For he is the one I love and the one I desire more than any other. Intimacy with him is sweetness itself – there is nothing so pleasurable and delightful as his love. When my spirit connects with his, it is more powerful than any physical, emotional or intellectual pleasures. I want to be joined to him, to connect with him, to abide in him^c, to have my heart yoked with his. I desire nearness with him above all else. Oh, to be close to him! How I look forward to our wedding day, when there will be a holy consummation, me in him and he in me, with nothing between us any longer^d. What joy there will be on that day when I am made to be a pure and spotless bride for him, without any sin or blemish to hinder our intimacy^e. For then I will be like him, for I will see him as he is – no more barriers, mirrors or veils – I will see him clearly and I will be close to him for endless days^f. What could be greater? What could be better than this?

For he is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved and this is my friend^a. I am completely and hopelessly in love with this man! He is my best friend and the one I wish to spend eternity with. Who am I that he, the very Son of God, would love me and call me friend^g? And yet he does, and in so doing, he has completely won and captured my heart with his amazing love. He is absolutely worthy and deserving of my wholehearted love in return and so I will love him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength^h. I have sought to describe his outstanding beauty – his perfection, his meek leadership, his zealous dedication, his pure vision, his delightful emotions, his life-giving words, his wise works, his tender compassion, his steadfast ways, his shining countenance and his sweet intimacy – yet my words fall so incredibly short and are so inadequate to even portray a glimpse or speak a mere whisper of his loveliness. You have asked me how my beloved is better than other lovers and I have attempted to give you an answer for the hope and joy I have discovered in himⁱ, and yet the only way for you to truly understand is if you find out for yourself. So my question for you now is, would you like to seek after him with me^j?

a Song of Songs 5:16
b Song of Songs 1:2
c John 15:9
d Ephesians 5:31-32; John 17:20-23
e Revelation 19:7-8; Ephesians 5:25-27
f 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:12
g John 15:14-15
h Luke 10:27
i 1 Peter 3:15
j Song of Songs 6:1

His Countenance is Glorious

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:15b

His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars^a. He lifts up the light of his countenance upon me, imparting his goodness and virtues to my heart. He makes his face shine upon me and showers his grace on me^b. When I behold the beauty of his countenance, I receive his peace^c and I am transformed into his glorious image. As I gaze into his face, I become like him and I reflect his glory to the world around me^d. Oh how I desire to become righteous and holy, that I may see his face and be satisfied with the joy of seeing his likeness^e. My heart says of my Beloved, “Seek his face!” And so this very thing I do – I will seek his face^f. Oh that I may look upon him, face to face^g, clearly and without any veil clouding my vision. I want to know him fully, even as I am fully known by him^h.

Oh, my Beloved, let your face shine upon me and save me in your unfailing loveⁱ! As I look to you, would you make me radiant and set me free from shame^j! When I behold your countenance, would you reveal to me the depths of your love for me in the light of your face. When I am discouraged, fearful and ashamed, would you give me the help of your countenance and grant me courage and praise in my spirit^k. Would you give me victory over my enemies by your right hand and the light of your countenance, because of your love for me^l. Shine your light and expose the sin and compromise in my heart^m. For your light has shone out of the darkness and it has shone in my heart, giving me the light of the knowledge of God in your beautiful faceⁿ! Your face is the most excellent, perfect reflection of your Father’s glory. As I gaze on you, would you give me revelation of your Father. Let me see you! Let me behold your face that blazes like flashes of lightning^o and shines like the sun in all its strength and brilliance^p. For in the light of your face is life itself^q. Allow me to drink deeply of the life that emanates from your face and bask in the light of your countenance. May I be impacted and changed by the simple act of looking at you. Satisfy and fulfill the desires and longings of my heart with the beauty of your face. Impart to me all the goodness of your heart and strike me to the core with the splendor of your countenance. Make me like you, Jesus!

a Song of Songs 5:15
b Numbers 6:25; Psalm 4:6
c Numbers 6:26
d 2 Corinthians 3:18
e Psalm 11:7; Psalm 17:15
f Psalm 27:8; Psalm 105:4; Psalm 119:58
g Numbers 12:8
h 1 Corinthians 13:12
i Psalm 31:16
j Psalm 34:5
k Psalm 42:5
l Psalm 44:3
m Psalm 90:8
n 2 Corinthians 4:6
o Matthew 28:3
p Matthew 17:2; Revelation 1:16
q Proverbs 16:15

His Ways Are Excellent

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:15a

His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold^a. His walk is perfect and all his ways are good^b. When he walked the earth, he showed me the way to his Father^c and how I could walk with him. His way is narrow^d and not easy, but he walks next to me, leading me and guiding me down the path of righteousness^e. Everything he does is right and all his ways are just^f. I desire to walk in step and in agreement with him^g, neither lagging behind or running ahead, but walking alongside him in partnership. Even as Enoch and Noah walked with God, so I long to walk with my Bridegroom in intimacy and friendship^h. For he walks with such strength, dignity and confidence, even like pillars of marble stand strong and sure, a display of beauty and faithfulness. Like bases of find gold, his foundation is pure and refined^a. Everything is built upon himⁱ, for he is the chief cornerstone^j. He stands firm and does not waiver – he never changes – he remains the same yesterday, today and forever^k.

His feet are like bronze glowing in a furnace, as if full of fire^l. Everything is under his feet, for he has been given power and authority over all. The earth is his footstool^m and God has placed all his enemies under his feetⁿ. And these feet of my Beloved were pierced for my transgressions^o; they display the marks of his sacrificial love for his Bride and they are the same feet that will trample the nations in the winepress of his Father’s fury^p. He is a conquering, victorious King who will one day tread upon this earth again! How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news^q! And what good news he carried and proclaimed – a message of hope, love, salvation and eternal life for all who would choose to follow in his footsteps. How beautiful are the feet and legs of my Beloved, for his walk and his ways are excellent and steadfast.

a Song of Songs 5:15
b Psalm 18:30
c John 14:6
d Matthew 7:14
e Psalm 23:3-4
f Daniel 4:17; Revelation 15:3
g Galatians 5:25; Amos 3:3
h Genesis 5:22-24; Genesis 6:9; Micah 6:8
i 1 Corinthians 3:11
j Ephesians 2:20
k 1 Samuel 15:29; James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8
l Revelation 1:15; Ezekiel 1:27
m Isaiah 66:1
n Psalm 110:1
o Psalm 22:16
p Isaiah 63:6; Revelation 19:15
q Romans 10:15

His Compassion is Extravagant

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:14b

His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires^a. The deep yearnings of his belly are for his bride. In the depths of his being, he is filled with tender compassion, mercy and desire for me. Though I am weak, sinful, and often mess up, he loves me and even longs to show me mercy and extravagant compassion. Like carved ivory, this quality of his heart is rare and unique – there is no one as kind, patient and gracious as he is^b. He is not like the kings of earth who seek to punish the incompetence of their subjects. He is not looking for any opportunity he can find to scold or discipline me, but rather, he delights in showing mercy^c. I don’t understand this about him, because I often feel so undeserving of such kindness and he is so unlike me, for I am so often quick to judge people, including myself. His love is truly surpasses my knowledge^d!

Instead of accusing, he skillfully and masterfully displays his mercy and extends forgiveness in such a way that it leads me to repentance^e and allows me to enter into his presence without shame^f. His love and compassion cover over a multitude of sins^g, washing me of my iniquity and purifying my heart^h. I can approach his throne of grace with confidence, knowing that I will receive mercy and find grace to help me in my time of needⁱ. Like beautiful and costly sapphire stones, his tender compassion is precious, abounding with the exceeding riches of his love^j. He forgives all my sins and places a crown of his love and compassion upon my head^k. There is no limit or end to the riches of his grace – it cannot be exhausted – for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for me^l. He doesn’t treat me as my sins deserve or repay me according to my iniquity. Instead, he removes my transgressions from me as far as the east is from the west and showers his compassion on me^m. How beautiful is this man, my Beloved! There is none other like him, he is indeed rare, unique and priceless as carved ivory inlaid with sapphires.

a Song of Songs 5:14
b Exodus 34:6
c Micah 7:18
d Ephesians 3:18-19
e Romans 2:4
f Psalm 34:5
g 1 Peter 4:8; Psalm 32:1; Psalm 85:2
h 1 Corinthians 6:11
i Hebrews 4:16
j Psalm 145:8
k Psalm 103:3-4
l Psalm 103:11
m Psalm 103:8-13

His Works Are Wonderful

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:14a

His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite^a. His hands are skillful in doing everything well and with excellence. The works of his hands are blessed and are all done with perfect wisdom^b. He is omnipotent – infinite in power and unlimited in ability and authority^c. He accomplishes every desire and purpose of his heart^d. His arm is not too short to save^e – on the contrary, it is outstretched on behalf of his people to bring them redemption^f. His arm has worked miraculous signs and wonders and his mighty hand has performed great and awesome deeds^g. Like gold, his works are pure and beautiful, righteous and just^h. Like jewels skillfully set, his works are intricate and accomplished with perfection. His works are great and wonderful, I know that full wellⁱ. Indeed, even we are his own workmanship, a masterpiece of his creation, lovingly formed by his very own hands to do the good works that he has prepared for us to do^j. His arm is holy, simultaneously bringing salvation^k and unleashing judgment^l. Yet with these same mighty arms, he embraces me^m and upholds meⁿ. In my weakness, I can lean on him and he will lift me up. Within his embrace I find tender love, comfort, security, safety, and strength. From his hands he satisfies me with good things, providing for my every need^o. Nobody can snatch me from his hand^p. Because his hands are both strong and gentle, I can trust him completely to hold, keep and direct my heart^q.

a Song of Songs 5:14
b Psalm 103:22
c Psalm 89:13; Exodus 15:6
d Isaiah 55:11
e Numbers 11:23; Isaiah 59:1
f Exodus 6:6
g Deuteronomy 4:34
h Psalm 92:4; Psalm 103:6
i Psalm 139:13-15; Psalm 111:2
j Ephesians 2:10
k Psalm 98:1; Isaiah 52:10
l Isaiah 63:5; Isaiah 30:30
m Song of Songs 2:6
n Psalm 37:24
o Psalm 104:28
p John 10:28
q Proverbs 21:1

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