Thought for Thursday, March 7th

March 7, 2013

Beyond A Price

   And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation  5:6-14

“What we obtain to cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”

-       Thomas Paine

Salvation is a gift given: yet it is a gift that only God could give: because the value of this gift is so far beyond measure that mere mortals could never hope to attain it of their own accord or devices.

And even though salvation is free: the life of a Christian does require some form of a cost.  It requires sacrifice, obedience and often a denial of our own self and those things we want or think we need.   Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and to follow: I wonder if Jesus demanded such an extreme commitment from us; would we still be willing to follow?  Yet, in a way He does.  He tells us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him.

His salvation cost us nothing but it cost Him his life. Does it not then seem somewhat fair that our service for Him should cost us something?

His place in our life is of a value without measure.   Shouldn’t we strive to live in such a way that our lives can be somewhat of a similar value to Him?

Lord, You are more precious than silver.

Lord, You are more costly than gold.

Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds.

Nothing I desire compares to you.

-       Lynn DeShazo (lyrics from ‘More Precious Than Silver’)

Today’s Prayer

Father, you’ve already given your all: and nothing I can do or give could ever hope to compare: but help me to do the most I can and the best that is possible by your power and your spirit, for your glory.