The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 5:1-8, “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my groaning.
2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, at Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
8 O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; make Your way straight before me.”

One of the exciting things about reading Scripture is that those who lived in biblical times were not that different from us today. They lacked the conveniences we possess, but awoke from sleep much like we, not quite awake and murmuring. Nevertheless, they commenced the day in prayer.

The sleeper’s recognition of the LORD, however, is quite positive. The LORD is the servant’s first thought of the morning; and he viewes the LORD as exceedingly righteous! The LORD hates wickedness and despises boastfulness that arises from hatred and deceit.

At the same time, the LORD is possessed of an abundant of lovingkindness, making it easier for the servant to enter His Holy Temple in total reverence. I have to wonder if we are like this servant. Do we embrace what He admires? Do we despise what he loathes? And do we approach Him in total reverence?

Somewhere I read of a liberal pastor, who said there was a time of total silence in their church services: no singing, no music, no audible prayers, no reading of the Scriptures –just quiet, peaceful, silent worshipful thoughts about Jesus and what He has accomplished for us through His death and resurrection. Could we cease the things we call “worship” for a glorious time of spiritual reflection? Could we not “awaken” to a pure worship as we awaken to murmurings from sleep?

Help us, O LORD, to learn how to worship in reverence, as is pleasing to You.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom