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Tremble and Trust

Today I read: 2 Chronicles 5, Psalm 114-115, Nahum 3, 1 John 4.

Gospel summary: God alone is worthy of our faith and worship, for he alone is the sovereign Lord of creation and Judge of all the earth. Although we were guilty sinners worthy of his just punishment who refused to tremble before him or trust in him, he gave his only Son to the agony and shame of the cross to secure both of these for us forever. Now, in light of God's unfathomable love for sinners through Christ, we love with his love and tremble before and trust in him.

Prayer: Father in heaven, you are worthy of my awe, wonder, amazement, and trust, but I so often yawn at your majesty and ignore the grace of Calvary. Give me eyes to see afresh your glory and a heart that truly trembles before you and wholeheartedly trusts in you. As I study your Word each day, show me more of the glorious vistas of this gospel, so that my heart may turn away from the trinkets and idols of this world (like the number of 'pageviews' on my blog or the number of 'likes' on my posts, or how trendy I am with technology or appearance). Grant that your glory would so fill my heart that I would sing always in my heart with the temple singers and trumpeters, "You are good; your steadfast love endures forever". Teach me to love like you love as I reflect on the depth of your love toward a world of rebels. In Christ's glorious name I pray, amen.

Key verses: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." (‭Psalm‬ ‭115‬:‭1-3‬ ESV)

Hymn: "At Calvary" by William R. Newell

Stanzas:
Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.

Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary.

By God's Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.

Now I've giv'n to Jesus ev'rything;
Now I gladly own Him as my King;
Now my ransomed soul can only sing
Of Calvary.

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary.

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