Follow the Son

This afternoon has been spent trying to catch up on blog reading - not too successfully. Too many rabbit trails to follow! Anyway, instead of mindlessly watching TV (more listening than watching), I decided to put in some of my music videos; specifically, two of the four Hillsong ones I own. I started with God He Reigns, and am now enjoying Mighty to Save. There are several songs on that one that are not on the CD, including the one I've quoted below. I was unable to find out who wrote it, but the words spoke to my heart today.

Follow the Son

You are the light
That guides my way through fear
I know my path
Will lead me to the King
And all the world
Will bow to worship You

You are the God
Who changed the world through one Holy Son
You gave everything
So all the world
Will bow in awe of You

You came down through grace
To show a better way

I follow the Son
You’re the only One
Let Your kingdom come
I’m giving it all
To the One I love
I follow the Son
Jesus holy One
Let Your will be done
I give it all to You
You are everything to me (4x)

He Holds It Together

Everything was created by him [Jesus Christ], everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for him. God's Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together.

-- Colossians 1: 16 - 17, CEV

My daughter, Grace, showed us this amazing video clip from Louis Giglio last night. It makes the meaning of the verses from Colossians take on new meaning.

In Mid-March, Grace and I attended a Casting Crowns concert. The pre-concert acts were John Waller and Leeland. God spoke to me during one of Leeland's songs, and for some reason, I've been thinking about that today, so I looked up the words and wanted to share them with you.

First, some background from the Scriptures:

"Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. . . And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "I am your servant." And the king said, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet." The king said to him, "Where is he?" And Ziba said to the king, "He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar." Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he answered, "Behold, I am your servant." And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always." And he paid homage and said, "What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?" Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants.
So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet." (I Samuel 4:4; 9: 1 - 13; English Standard Version)

Now the song (you can listen to it here):

Carried To the Table

Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master’s courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms

REFRAIN: I was carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I’m healed and unashamed

REFRAIN

You carried me, my God
You carried me

Words & Music by Leeland Dayton Mooring, Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd / © 2006 Meaux Mercy (BMI) / Meaux Hits / Never Say Never Songs (ASCAP) / New Spring (ASCAP). All rights for the world on behalf of Never Say Never Songs administered by New Spring (ASCAP) / Meaux Mercy / Blue Raft Music (BMI)

As I listened, God whispered to my heart, "That's what I did for you." Tears coursed down my cheeks. Yes, like Mephibosheth, I was broken, not only before I came to know Christ as my Saviour, but broken by the daily battle of life. And my God did not leave me alone. No. He carried me.

When I looked up the lyrics tonight, I found this "Behind the Song" information:

Inspired by the story of Mephibosheth, a man blessed by David in Second Samuel, Leeland Mooring explains. “We’re broken people. We have sin in our lives and we outcast ourselves from God’s kingdom. But God’s love is constantly chasing after us, kinda like how David sought out Mephibosheth. I think when we are taken in by God’s love, we are brought into his kingdom and brought to his table. We’re saved by grace. No one can see that we are hurt because we’re covered by the blood of Jesus. That’s so relevant to us even now.”

Thank you, Jesus.

God's Care

"And he came there to the cave, and lodged there; and behold, the Word of Jehovah came to him, and said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah? And he said, Being zealous, I have been zealous for Jehovah the God of Hosts, for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant; they have thrown down Your altars, and they have killed Your prophets with the sword, and I am left, I alone, and they seek to take my life. And he said, Go out and stand on the mountain before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind tearing the mountains and breaking the rocks in bits before Jehovah! Jehovah was not in the wind. And after the wind was an earthquake, but Jehovah was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake was a fire, but Jehovah was not in the fire; and after the fire came a still, small voice. And it happened when Elijah heard, he wrapped his face in his robe and went out and stood at the cave opening; and, behold, a voice came to him, and it said, What are you doing here, Elijah? And he said, Being zealous, I have been zealous for Jehovah, God of Hosts for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant; they have thrown down Your altars, and they have slain Your prophets by the sword; and I, I alone, am left; and they seek to take my life."

(I Kings 19: 9 - 14; Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

Elijah was depressed.

He had faithfully served Jehovah, doing everything he was told to do.

And now his life was in danger.

Who wouldn't be depressed?

Elijah wanted to hear God's voice, to know God understood how he felt, to have reassurance that God would take care of him.

God sent a strong wind, then an earthquake and a fire. But God was not to be found in them.

Instead, He spoke in a still, small voice.

When we're down, when we're not sure where God is, we often want Him to show Himself in a mighty way. Sometimes He does, but more often, it's in little ways. We may think we need to be ministered to in a certain way, and can't understand why God doesn't meet that need, only to be humbled when He does the unexpected.

That's what God has done for us. In the past two weeks, we have received two anonymous monetary gifts. We got our income tax refund in a mere three weeks (it offsets what we had to pay to the state of New York.) I scored some awesome deals at the grocery store. We've had three people respond to our plea for help with lawn mowing. We've also gotten money from other sources.

No, these aren't the things I thought I needed from God. But they do show that He cares about me, and if I'm honest, the increased costs of food and fuel are a source of stress for me. (I realize that everyone is dealing with these things and many are having to choose between _______ and gas for their cars.)

So today I rejoice in God's still, small voice. And I pray that I can stop and listen for it. As God commanded Job:

"Stand still and consider the wonderful works of God."

(Job 37: 14; LITV)