Good Morning, Lord!

I saw the most spectacular sunrise this morning from a vantage point high in the hills of West Salem. I couldn't believe it - I could see Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier! As I sat in my Jeep absolutely stunned by the glorious panoramic view before me, I could not help but think of these words, "Oh, Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder / Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made." That was when the Lord brought to mind these words from His Word, "Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Years ago [1923] Thomas Obadiah Chisholm used that text as the basis for his enduring hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." I sing all three stanzas of that beautiful text and tune to the Lord frequently during my devotional time. Every phrase is infused with simple, yet at the same time, profound truth about the goodness and grace, tenderness and faithfulness of our wonderful God.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Good Morning, Lord! May You be pleased to find me reflecting your great faithfulness, mercy and love to all You bring across my path this good day.

My Letter to Brit Hume

After viewing the YouTube video posted below, and reading some of the nearly three hundred comments that individuals posted, I felt compelled to write a brief note to Mr. Hume to encourage him. Here it is . . .

Dear Mr. Hume:

During the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France, an athlete by the name of Eric Henry Liddell, also known as "the Flying Scotsman," took a stand based on his biblical convictions and personal faith in Jesus Christ. He withdrew from his best event, the 100-meter race, because it was scheduled for the Lord's Day, and decided to run instead in the 400-meter scheduled later in the week. No one really thought he could win. As Liddell went to the starting blocks, an American masseur slipped a piece of paper into his hand with a quotation from the Bible. Liddell ran with that piece of paper in his hand. He not only won the race, but broke the existing world record.

I suspect you already know this story. In light of the events of recent days, in the aftermath of your comments related to faith in Jesus Christ, I just want to remind you of the words hastily scribbled on that piece of paper on that incredible day in 1924: "For those who honor Me, I will honor" (1 Samuel 2:30).

If I may take one more minute of your time, inasmuch as you mentioned Jesus Christ by name, I would also like to remind you of something He said, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. . ." (Matthew 5:11-12a).

Sir, I have seen many of the negative, nasty, profane and vulgar comments that some have made concerning you and concerning your (our) Lord. But I do believe that one day you will hear the applause of crucified hands, and the divine accolade, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

God bless you, Mr. Hume. Keep on running your race with perseverance.

I am a humble follower of Jesus who is STILL amazed by His grace,

Joe Lombardi