Friday, April 10th, 2009

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Isaiah 26:1b
We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks.

My God is a strong city, a place of refuge where I can run when I am under attack. A city with walls that are high, strong and impenetrable. A city that not only has strong walls, but a city that has special walls in critical areas especially for defense. This is how my God describes Himself for His people.

However, this is not just in the sense of running to Him for protection, this is spiritual protection. I have a God who defends and protects.

Isaiah, however, explains what the defense is. It is really salvation. The defense is not earthly or physical, but spiritual. This defense is my salvation. There is nothing that men can do to me. They can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. And my soul is where my salvation lies. I have salvation that is given to me, and it cannot be taken away.

No matter who or what assails the city, my salvation is rock solid, because it rests in the unchangeable I AM. My salvation rests in Jesus Christ.

Today is Easter, it is the day that we as a church celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Both God and man in one person and two distinct natures. He truly bore my sin in the flesh, and he truly suffered for me. Jesus, a sinless God-man, who was the Passover lamb, who was slaughtered for my sins and iniquities. My chastisement was upon Him. By His grace I am healed.

Christ is my city of refuge, He is my rock and defense. I shall not be moved.

Today I will meditate on my salvation, which is my defense, my city of refuge which is impenetrable.

However, I also will meditate on that great hymn, O sacred head now wounded:

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown; O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance, Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance. How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn! How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair; From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there. Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life; Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.

My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me, For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee. I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot; Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend, For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine. Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine. Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love; Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part; O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp, Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside, When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide. O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see, Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door; Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore! When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone, But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die; Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.

Truly! What language shall I borrow to thank thee oh Lord Jesus! Mine, mine, mine was the transgression, but your the pain! Remind me of they passion!