A Mere Servant's Reward

My joy rises up like the morning!
It fills me up like the noon-day sun!
'Cause I've traded my fear for HIS glory!
When the time of my testing is done!
I'm grateful for the strength He's given me!
He's added hope to my endurance!
All not of HIM is burned away.
An assurance from Himself, that He grants!
In the heart of the fiery inferno
a perfect clarity of vision was found!
In HIM, and HIM alone, there's peace!
Where exalted praise to HIM, is the only sound.
When HIS joy is your only covering,
Forget grief and bitter offense.
When we see Him, who is our Reward,
feeling overcome (by the Blessedness of Who He Is) will commence!
He surprises us with His reflection,
our beauty emerges from the flame.
Flood of mercy lifting us to Him.
This is the wonder (truly feeling it) of why He came!
After the labor, praying, and tears,
Comes gratifying rest from a job well done!
Not from any competency of our own!
but from THE assurance, that THE Master's approval, has been won!

Mercy is Only for Sinners

Of recent fascination, to me, is the word "bigot." The intent of the word is to marginalize, in society, the bearer of a seemingly unwarranted hatred. Bigots are BAD people. Labeling someone is supposed to mobilize and polarize negative emotions against the one so described. Inherent in this process, is the assumption of the speaker, of a singular entitlement to judgement.

Discrimination always requires the application of somebody's moral standard. Judging someone because you think you are superior, is no different than judging someone because they are judging (and still because you think you are superior). Both sides apply a mortal, non-transcendent set of rules of behavior, as to what they feel is right. This has the same result as there being no standard at all. Every one has equal authority, and everyone will do what they really want, anyway. We are all guilty by "the other guy's" measure. It's always someone else who is the guilty party. Seen this way, we can all see that there is no difference between us.

God's law is applied from outside the loop of this paradigm. He has confined humanity within the boundaries of the slavery and condemnation of His perfect law. We are all guilty before Him. Some might even learn from it, that to destroy your neighbor is to destroy yourself. Only absolute love will be allowed to prevail. That love only comes from Him.

Only those brought low can be lifted up again. Only the helpless victims will be offered compassion. Those in need have access to His mercy, just for the asking. He responds with gracious tenderness to the humble of heart. Only those with no cause for pride have room enough in their hearts for it to be filled with Him. It is the confinement under the burden of sin which has taught us to see our need of Him and our powerlessness. Weakness teaches us to be the supplicant of the Greatest Servant of all, God Himself, so that we too, become servants. Through the very weakness which is His gift to us, comes our deliverance, and our promotion to His glory.