Poured Out

I wrote this piece a couple days ago. I wasn't sure whether to post it or tuck it away. Obviously I made a decision. This wasn't written to sound 'preachy' but rather stemmed from a realization that hit me square between the eyes. We are all so short sighted sometimes...

We go to work.

We clean our house.

We complain about the weather.

We update our facebook status.

We pay our bills.

We take a walk.

We raise our children.

We mow our lawn.

We visit friends.

We play a computer game.

Regular, daily life always before us; a thousand little things that make up our day. But there's a whole lot more going on in our day...many things we don't even realize...

Consider your parents who have poured themselves out for you on your behalf. They have prayed for you. They have, unbeknownst to you, battled Satan, the world, and your own unwilling sinful heart--all of which sought your eternal demise. Your parents faithfully kept you under the preaching of the Word. They drove you to catechism, week after week. They read and explained the Word to you from your earliest years. If you have godly parents I do not doubt that they STILL pray daily for you. Can you see, today, what a work was well underway for the sake of your soul before you even knew of the Lord? They have, and still do, pour themselves out on your behalf.

What of our pastor? What does he do week after week, day after day, year after year? He sits in his study for hours on end, studying, preparing sermons...for US. He visits us. He corrects and encourages us. Have you ever considered the hours that he has spent praying for us? Is that not humbling? As we go about our day, often selfishly and completely self absorbed, there is a man pouring himself out on our behalf, for our eternal well-being.

And our elders? They accept a job they are not trained to do. They leave their families and their warm comfortable homes evening after evening to strengthen and encourage YOU in the Word. Your elder takes time to pray for YOU. They take an interest in YOU for your eternal sake. They give their time, their fuel, their energy, their attention all for YOUR edification.

Do you realize that it's YOUR name that's being brought forth to the very gates of heaven? Yes, by your parents, your friends, your elder, your pastor. And while heaven is being stormed on our account, while people are working, pouring themselves out on our behalf, what are we doing? I'm not going to answer that. I daresay we're all far too wrapped up in this world and ourselves to realize the immensity of it all.

Consider our precious Lord Jesus Christ. He left the grandeur of heaven to dwell among men. Our Lord did heavenly work in the trappings of earthly flesh. He healed, comforted and rebuked. He, though often tired, taught those who hungered for TRUTH. Every second on this earth He poured Himself out for sinful man...for US.

Then, after perfectly pouring Himself out for us, after perfectly following His Father's will, he was forsaken--by the Father, by the disciples, by His followers, and if we were there, we would have forsaken Him too. He travelled the road of the cross alone. He felt the full wrath of God, right down to its very dregs. And now, no hell...for us.
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears.

And the Holy Spirit--how aware are you of this blessed Person? The Holy Spirit who wrestles with us day after day... How sad (and ridiculous) when we think the Holy Spirit can be summoned--perhaps in worship or when we're feeling especially chipper. Do you ever think of the Lord? That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Do your sins ever overwhelm, discourage or disgust you? That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Do you feel compelled to pray? That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Do you cling to Christ? It is because the Holy Spirit has taken your hand and joined it to Christ. The Holy Spirit strives with you every day. He was poured out...for YOU.

Today our precious Christ still continues His work for us. He who has His Father's ear and affections...the Exalted One whom is praised by ten thousand times ten thousand heavenly beings,

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive
power and riches and wisdom and strength and
honour and glory and blessing!"

He who sits on the throne, equal to his Father, still pours Himself out on our behalf. He prays for us...yes, He utters our name in the presence of God and the angels! Does this not move you?!

Oh sing and pray and read and meditate! Berate your slothful heart for being so consumed with itself. Oh what pains are being made daily on OUR behalf, unbeknownst and often unrecognized as we go about our daily business. So much work...so much effort...so many pouring themselves out for you and me. Let it not be in vain! let it not be counted against you on that Great Day. Fall down and PRAY! Then pour yourself out for others and for the Lord. What other response can there be?