The RR Unimpeded View By David Harwood
Shavuah Tov {{firstName}},
The Unimpeded View
By David Harwood
I wrote a song titled On The Hill. Its chorus expressed this desire: “All I want is to bless Your holy name forever. Forever…”
A friend said to me, “I can’t sing that. That’s not me.” I empathized. There are seasons in life where one cannot sing the “songs of Zion in a strange land.”
How can we sing a song of Adonai in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:4)
If someone is aware of how much they are focused upon the matters of this life, their integrity may prevent them from singing a song of deep devotion. If we’re in deep grief, or are wounded, or embittered, we’re not going to gravitate towards happy, happy, very happy songs.
Sometimes upbeat songs actually increase the suffering of a seeker’s soul. Here’s a proverb that speaks to that incongruity:
If someone blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. (Proverbs 27:14)
I was taught that a “sacrifice of praise” was defined as praising God despite one’s feelings or circumstances. I don’t know how biblically accurate that is. Is that how a “sacrifice of praise” should be defined? However, I can say that it is a soul strengthening practice.
We’re exhorted:
in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
My friend’s desire for sincere worship did not allow for their participation in singing “All I want...” I have pondered how might I respond to their objection to those lyrics. I also did some introspection. Did I really want that? Did I really have as my chief desire to bless His holy name forever? I admit that there are times that I have other primary desires.
However, there is something which I call “the unimpeded view.” I honestly can say that I really long for that.
I think it is likely that every believer has experienced the joy of worshiping the King when aided by the illuminating work of the Ruach. Perhaps it happened when you were in a worship service. Maybe you were sitting in your living room and the presence of the Lord washed over you and your praise was empowered. Experiences like this are hints of the unimpeded view.
Unimpeded? Yes. Nothing’s in the way. The view is clear. The heart is captured. Love flows freely to the One who is seated on the throne.
When this happens the chorus to that song may become reality. “All I want is to bless Your holy name, forever.”
Do you long to see Him face to face? His face is the primary attraction of the city of God.
The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall (worship) Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:3b–4)
More is spoken of the unimpeded view that will be ours.
… we shall be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2b)
Do you love who you see now? Your view of Him is quite cloudy. You don’t believe that? What did Paul say?
This:
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Yeshua said that seeing God is a reward for the pure in heart.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
This hope is an anchor for our souls in our worst possible circumstances. I think Job referenced it.
Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; (Job 19:26)
At this time our vision is occluded. Even when experiencing a spiritual breakthrough our capacity to concentrate on His glory is hindered. We’re easily distracted. But there will be a time when we shall see face to face. The unimpeded view shall be ours. Meanwhile, press on, and “…may the God of hope fill you with all joy and shalom in trusting, so you may overflow with hope in the power of the Ruach ha-Kodesh. (Romans 15:13)”
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun28-Jun-202613th of Tamuz, 5786
Nu 25:10-26:4Ez 2-3Neh 3Gal 2 (Lk 10)
The Unimpeded View
By David Harwood
I wrote a song titled On The Hill. Its chorus expressed this desire: “All I want is to bless Your holy name forever. Forever…”
A friend said to me, “I can’t sing that. That’s not me.” I empathized. There are seasons in life where one cannot sing the “songs of Zion in a strange land.”
How can we sing a song of Adonai in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:4)
If someone is aware of how much they are focused upon the matters of this life, their integrity may prevent them from singing a song of deep devotion. If we’re in deep grief, or are wounded, or embittered, we’re not going to gravitate towards happy, happy, very happy songs.
Sometimes upbeat songs actually increase the suffering of a seeker’s soul. Here’s a proverb that speaks to that incongruity:
If someone blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. (Proverbs 27:14)
I was taught that a “sacrifice of praise” was defined as praising God despite one’s feelings or circumstances. I don’t know how biblically accurate that is. Is that how a “sacrifice of praise” should be defined? However, I can say that it is a soul strengthening practice.
We’re exhorted:
in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
My friend’s desire for sincere worship did not allow for their participation in singing “All I want...” I have pondered how might I respond to their objection to those lyrics. I also did some introspection. Did I really want that? Did I really have as my chief desire to bless His holy name forever? I admit that there are times that I have other primary desires.
However, there is something which I call “the unimpeded view.” I honestly can say that I really long for that.
I think it is likely that every believer has experienced the joy of worshiping the King when aided by the illuminating work of the Ruach. Perhaps it happened when you were in a worship service. Maybe you were sitting in your living room and the presence of the Lord washed over you and your praise was empowered. Experiences like this are hints of the unimpeded view.
Unimpeded? Yes. Nothing’s in the way. The view is clear. The heart is captured. Love flows freely to the One who is seated on the throne.
When this happens the chorus to that song may become reality. “All I want is to bless Your holy name, forever.”
Do you long to see Him face to face? His face is the primary attraction of the city of God.
The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall (worship) Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:3b–4)
More is spoken of the unimpeded view that will be ours.
… we shall be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2b)
Do you love who you see now? Your view of Him is quite cloudy. You don’t believe that? What did Paul say?
This:
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Yeshua said that seeing God is a reward for the pure in heart.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
This hope is an anchor for our souls in our worst possible circumstances. I think Job referenced it.
Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; (Job 19:26)
At this time our vision is occluded. Even when experiencing a spiritual breakthrough our capacity to concentrate on His glory is hindered. We’re easily distracted. But there will be a time when we shall see face to face. The unimpeded view shall be ours. Meanwhile, press on, and “…may the God of hope fill you with all joy and shalom in trusting, so you may overflow with hope in the power of the Ruach ha-Kodesh. (Romans 15:13)”
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun28-Jun-202613th of Tamuz, 5786
Nu 25:10-26:4Ez 2-3Neh 3Gal 2 (Lk 10)
Posted in Rabbis Reflections
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