Friday, May 8, 2015

I Am What I Am By YOUR Grace, LORD.

Who am I that GOD should 
be so mindful of me?
(Frank Hall)

"What is man that YOU are mindful 

of him?"   Psalm 8:4

What is man that GOD should even look 
in his direction? Who am I that the infinite, 
glorious, triune GOD should glance my way--
much less be mindful of me?

Beloved in CHRIST, understand that your GOD 
is without a doubt ever-mindful of you. HE has . . .
  numbered every hair on your precious head,
  appointed the bounds of your habitation, and
  determined the very second of your death.

HE . . .
  bottles your every tear,
  knows your every sorrow,
  records your every work, and
  remembers every cup of cold water 
given in HIS name. HE is deeply concerned 
for your immortal soul, has purposed to do 
you good, and has staked HIS glory on your 
everlasting salvation. 

Your GOD is more mindful of you, 
your soul, your life, and your welfare 
than you will ever understand in this life.

In the light of such staggering knowledge--
who GOD is, and what you are--
do you not ask yourself in utter 
astonishment, 

"Who am I that GOD should 
be so mindful of me?"

As mere creatures such a thought 
is beyond profound--
but as guilty sinners the thought 
surpasses the unthinkable!

"Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated!" 

Romans 9:13

GOD loved Jacob, and hated Esau. 

Who am I that I should be identified 
with the former, and not the latter? 

CHRIST died for HIS elect and 
put away their sins forever by 
the sacrifice of HIMSELF--
and the rest of humanity 
HE leaves to themselves.

Who am I that my name should be 
written in the LAMB'S Book of Life 
from the foundation of the world? 

The Sovereign dispenser of all 
grace and all blessedness--
has mercy on whom HE will have 
mercy, and whom HE will HE hardens. 
Who am I that I should be a vessel 
of honor prepared for glory--
and not a vessel of wrath 
fitted for destruction?

Who are we, brothers and sisters, 
that we should . . .
  partake of the boundless provision 
     of grace in CHRIST,
  be redeemed, justified, and forgiven,
  should live forever with HIM in glory?

Who are we that the incomprehensibly 
glorious GOD would be so mindful of us, 
that HE not only took on our nature, but . . .
 lived a perfect life for us, that we could never 
live,
 died a sin-atoning death for us, that we could 
   never die, and satisfied a Law for us, 
   that we could never satisfy?

"By the grace of GOD I am what 

I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

The only difference between a saved 

sinner and a lost sinner--
is the difference that GOD makes 
by HIS distinguishing grace! 

It is not our decisions, lives, prayers, 
or works that make the difference, 
but GOD and GOD alone.

Though all who read these lines 

deserve to be in Hell for their sin--
GOD has been pleased to save some 
freely by HIS grace. Though all are 
equally sinful, equally guilty, and equally 
deserving of everlasting torment--
GOD has been pleased to save some 
for no other reason than HIS own glory.

  ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's helpful two page article, 
"One Day at a Time".

No comments: