Saturday, August 21, 2010

Deep Calls Unto Deep by James Ryle

“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”           (Psalm 27:8, English Standard Version).

The New Living Translations says, “My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with Me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” There is an old saying, “Deep calleth unto deep.” It suggests that something deep within us is ever hungering after, and always listening for that Voice that gives us life.

This aptly fits many of us today who remember the beginnings of our journey with Jesus. The move of the Spirit was strong and widespread, the preaching of the Word was without manipulation, and Worship was innocent — unchained from the love of money.

But these days now are rather mediocre in comparison. The presses are filled with over-stated claims of how God is moving here and there, while people are running to and fro to jump in the river. Preaching has all but been stripped of prophetic power, opting instead for power-point presentations that give neat and tidy tips on how to improve just about anything in your life. And, as for worship — send in the clowns! Is this the church, or a club reviewing the latest trends in bands and fashion? Is it possible to be too hip to be holy? Too relevant to be reverent? Too cool to be Christlike?

Deep calls unto deep. We long for a renewal; a return to the days of our first love; a fresh awakening in our fellowship with the Lord. If these longings are present in your heart, then be encouraged — for it is the Lord calling you back!

Back to that place where you delighted in God’s ways and learned how to discern God’s will. Back to that place where you desired God’s Word above all other things, and could always be found doing His work. Back to that place where faith was passionate, and devotions were enlightening. Back to that place where worship was real, and prayer was sweet.

    “Sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the Tempter’s snare by thy return — sweet hour of prayer!

    “Sweet hour of prayer; the joys I feel, the bliss I share with those whose hungry spirits burn with strong desire for Thy return! With such I hasten to the place where God my Savior shows His face. I gladly take my station there, and wait for thee — sweet hour of prayer.

    “Sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear to Him, whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless; and since He bids me seek His face, believe His word, and trust His grace — I’ll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee: sweet hour of prayer.”

Deep calleth unto deep. The Lord calling you back! And He is even now awaiting your reply.

4 comments:

  1. This is good... sometimes when you read an exhortation like this you think it's something the Lord says to us every once in a while when we're getting tired or weary of "doing the work of the Lord".... when really, it's a daily thing.. it's the continual hearing of Jesus, the Word, the Grace of God, in our lives that keeps us. I need to practice this every day.

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  2. 'In Him we live and move and have our being.' Do we have to think about breathing? We need our spiritual oxygen just as much. Just as air contains more than oxygen, so life has many things mixed in with our contact with God. The inspiration (breathing in) of the Holy Spirit should be a natural part of our daily life - without our having to think overmuch about it. If we give our total selves daily as a love gift to God for His use and His delight I don't think we need to worry too much. The Holy Spirit will nudge us if we are going the wrong way. Then it is up to us to change. Otherwise we do what our hand finds to do and trust that we are pleasing to our loving Father.

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  3. The Lord spoke to my heart today that I had missed an aspect of Him, of our relationship. He said, "Don't you know that I am responsisble for you?" That sentence gave me such rest today! It put my responsibilities into proper perspective, effectively removing the week's cumulative weariness from my shoulders. HE has truly adopted me; He is totally responsible for me! Glory!!!

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  4. I am encouraged as I read this, for I know that the Lord is causing the hearts of His people to hunger after Him and to humbly seek Him just as we are!
    To come unto Him just like we used to do and without all the glamour and fanfare etc.
    I do recall those days when I was first saved and how new everything was and how delightful a relationship I had with the Lord!
    I am seeking this once again but only more deeper and more profound, and it looks like others are desiring this also!
    So God is on the throne and causing all of our hearts to hunger once again after Him which shows me that He has much more instore than we have ever even dreamed of! Kate

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