Thinking on Spiritual Beauty…

Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you," says the Lord GOD.—Ezekiel 16:14

The verse above brought to mind these beautiful words from a book I am reading by Jesse Penn-Louis:

The Whisper of the King

Behold, thou art fair, My friend; . . . thine eyes are as doves”—Song of Solomon 1:15

The Well-Beloved beholds the Holy Dove, the Eternal Spirit of the Father, through whom He offered Himself unto God and became obedient unto death, “yea, the death of the cross,” shining through the eye of the soul whose gaze is turned wholly toward Him in entire abandonment and trust. 

Through the power of the same Spirit she has been enabled to yield herself wholly to her Lord, and she is becoming single-eyed in her choice of Christ and His cross at all costs. Therefore He exclaims, “Thou art fair, My friend; thou hast doves’ eyes.” 

The Response of the Soul 

Behold, Thou art fair, my Beloved. . . . Our couch is green. The beams of our house are cedars . . . our rafters are cypresses. I am . . . a lily of the valleys”7 (1:16–17, mg., and 2:1). 

The soul in true self-effacement returns all the praise to her Beloved, for she knows that she is “fair” only through the indwelling presence of her Lord. By His grace alone has her heart been set to know Him and her will bent to choose to follow Him fully. His people are “willing in the day of [His] power” (Psalm 110:3, KJV). It is all of grace.—Jesse Penn-Louis from her book The Hidden Ones - The Life of a Believer as Illustrated in the Song of Solomon. 

As I read Ezekiel 16:14 this morning I thought how much more excellent and worthy and profitable it is to think on spiritual beauty rather than the worldly, quickly fading kind.  To place my focus on Him rather than on me…on my many flaws...imagined or otherwise in the unkind mirror of my fleshly mind. Today I will think on spiritual beauty...Christlikeness. I have been raised with Christ, I will set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. When the Lord makes me beautiful, I will be beautiful indeed...I will be beautiful FOREVER. 

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;

He will beautify the humble with salvation.—Psalm 149:4

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.—1 Peter 3:4

that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.—Ephes 5:27

And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.—1 Cor 15:49

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Cor 3:18

to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.—Isaiah 61:3, ESV

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.—2 Corinthians 4:5-6

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.—2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Summary of Chapter 16 for perspective…

Ezekiel is very vivid!   In the first 14 verses of chapter 16 he details God’s love and care for Jerusalem. It reads like a rags to riches story.  Sadly, however, the story doesn’t end at verse 14.  Verses 15-34 detail (in equally vivid terms) Jerusalem’s harlotry and adultery in turning from looking to God to looking and trusting in her own beauty. Verses 35-52 speak to God’s judgments on Jerusalem for the vileness of her sin. In  verses 53-59 having spoken to the sin of Jerusalem and her subsequent judgment, Ezekiel by the Spirit of God, now speaks words of consolation to her.  In judgment God always remembers mercy. Israel would certainly be judged but there would be restoration. God would not abandon his people…verse 8 of the same chapter tells us why.  

"When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine," says the Lord GOD.—Ezekiel 16:8

God will keep His promises both to Jerusalem and to us, as believers. He will complete the good work He began in us. 

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.—1 John 3:2

The Balm of the Word…

My heart last night needed the balm of the Word of God.  Maybe yours needs the same this morning.  Leaving some of the verses that helped and comforted me below. May our gracious God use them to strengthen and soothe your spirit and bring you nigh unto Him.  

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17  

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2  

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5  

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. I Peter 4:12, 13  

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3  

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. II Corinthians 1:3, 4  

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38, 39  

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8  

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3  

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?—Psalm 27:1

For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.—Psalm 27:5

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!—Psalm 27:13-14  

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:6, 7  

Then he spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1  

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10  

So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11

Receive Into Your Heart All My Words…

 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."—Ezekiel 2:8

So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.

And He said to me, "Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you." So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.—Ezekiel 3:2-3

Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.—Ezekiel 3:10

These words hit home yesterday.  So often as I read Scripture morning after morning, it can become rote. My mind is involved but not my heart. My soul is not receptive to hear and my God’s precious words to me, His daughter, fall on deaf ears. 

Oh that I would stand in awe of who is speaking to me!  Oh, that I would take His word into my heart. That I would receive it with meekness...which means without argument. Beloved…faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. His word is not only able to save your soul, but will be a lamp to your feet and light to your path as you travel through this dark world. Take it in…do not be afraid only believe. 

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Corinthians 1:20).

I really liked what Jon Courson says here about this section of Scripture. I will end with it. 

“Even the hard things of the Word become sweet to those who take them in and think them through. Even the rebukes, reproofs, and corrections become satisfying.”

To You, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul…

 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.—Psalm 25:1

Such a short verse but so filled with good instruction. Beloved…God is the only true source of encouragement. Lift up all that you are to Him.  Be like David and strengthen yourself in the Lord your God.  Here is the rest of the Psalm….

1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, I trust in You;

Let me not be ashamed;

Let not my enemies triumph over me.

3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;

Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;

Teach me Your paths.

5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

On You I wait all the day.

6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,

For they are from of old.

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;

According to Your mercy remember me,

For Your goodness' sake, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD;

Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.

9 The humble He guides in justice,

And the humble He teaches His way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,

To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

11 For Your name's sake, O LORD,

Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

12 Who is the man that fears the LORD?

Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity,

And his descendants shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him,

And He will show them His covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,

For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,

For I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;

Bring me out of my distresses!

18 Look on my affliction and my pain,

And forgive all my sins.

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many;

And they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;

Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,

For I wait for You.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,

Out of all their troubles!—Psalm 25

When the troubles of my own heart enlarge, who will bring me out of my distresses?  What is the answer to my every care, my every weakness, my every trial, my every heartache, my every sorrow, my every problem, my every discontentment and my every longing?  Jesus…Jesus is the answer.  The secret of the wise counsel of the LORD is for those who fear Him.  

Oh Father, turn Yourself to me and have mercy on me!

I am so very thankful…

—that In Christ, I am forgiven

—that His tender mercies and lovingkindnesses are mine

—that as I walk humbly with Him, He teaches me His way

—that His mercies toward me are great and are from old.

—that He considers my troubles

—that He shows me His ways and teaches me His paths 

—that He guides me in His truth

—that He remembers me according to His mercy. 

Today, I, like David, will lift up my soul to my God.  Today my soul will recline, as Spurgeon has said, in the embrace of divine love. My strength is from Him. He, is He, who holds me up.  My eyes will be continually toward the Lord for He will bring my feet out of the net.  I will look to Him and be radiant…my face unashamed. 

But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:31

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,

And Your faithfulness every night,—Psalm 92:2

David’s All in All…

  Psalm 63

1 O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help,

Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek my life, to destroy it,

Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

10 They shall fall by the sword;

They shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;

Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;

But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

God was David’s all in all. He was what David “drank” in to satisfy his parched soul.  He was what David “ate” to nourish his “hungry” heart. The “shadow of His wing” was where David made his home. He was who David followed. He was to whom David clung. 

Beloved…we were made to know God.  We were made to love Him, to worship Him, to serve Him, to enjoy Him and live with Him forever. 

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.—Jeremiah 9:23, 24

Verse 3 tells us that God’s steadfast love…God’s faithful, loyal love and lovingkindness toward those that belong to Him…was for David better than life itself.  The strength of David’s life was God’s faithful, sacrificial love.  David understood with heart knowledge that God would never give up on him.  God would love him the end.  Beloved…All we need to do to know and prove what David knew by faith and divine inspiration is to look to the cross of Christ. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.—John 3:16-17

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

36 As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8: 31-39(emphasis mine)

They Looked to Him and Were Radiant…

 

They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.—Psalm 34:5

Was blessed last night by time spent in Psalm 34.  I loved what Charles Spurgeon had to say about verse 5. 

They looked to Him and were radiant,

The psalmist declares that his case was not different but that it matched the lives of all the faithful. All who looked to the Lord were brightened; their faces began to shine, and there spirits were uplifted. What a blessing one look at the Lord can be!  There is life, light, liberty, love and everything in a look at the crucified One. Never did a hurting heart look in vain to the good Physician. Never did a dying soul tour it’s darkening eye to the brazen serpent to find its virtue. (Numbers 21:8)

And their faces were not ashamed.

Joy, not blushes, covered their faces.  We who trust in God have no need to be ashamed of our confidence. Time and eternity will justify our reliance. 

Quote below by David Smith, (1792-1867)

The more we think on Our Lord, and the less we think about ourselves, the better. By looking to Him, we will keep our heads, and especially our hearts steady in the deep waters of affliction. Often I have thought of this when crossing the water opposite the old place of Langholm.  I found that when I looked down on the water, I got dizzy. I therefore fixed my eyes on a steady object on the other side and got comfortably through. 

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

Trust in the LORD forever,

For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26:3-4