A Hymn of Praise

“A farmer took a piece of bad earth and made things flourish thereon.  Proud of his accomplishments, he asked his minister to come by and see what he had done.  The minister was impressed.  ‘That’s the tallest corn I’ve ever seen.  I’ve never seen anything as big as those melons.  Praise the Lord!’  He went on that way about every crop, praising the Lord for it all.  Finally, the farmer couldn’t take it anymore.  ‘Reverend,’ he said, ‘I wish you could have seen this place when the Lord was doing it by himself’” (Ronald Reagan, in a speech in Indianapolis).

This farmer does not realize that no matter how much care he puts into his crops, they could not and would not grow without the Lord’s power and grace.  The same can be said for the human heart when it comes to salvation.  Pride tends to get in the way and credit for all the “accomplishments” in our faith and salvation begin to point inwardly.  But the reality of salvation and sanctification (becoming more like Jesus Christ) is that it can only happen through the power of Christ.

The words of Paul in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 are a reminder to us all where all credit and praise should be focused. For he is the life-giving, unchanging, and faithful King.  To Him be glory forever and ever.

2 Timothy 2:11-13  (ESV)

11 The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

12        if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13        if we are faithless, he remains faithful—  

      for he cannot deny himself.

Join us this week at ElmCreek Community Church as God’s Word comes alive, meeting us where we are, and changing us for his glory and praise.

Striving to know Christ and make him known,

Pastor Mark