“Not only is it within [God’s] ability to awaken and restore us to our honored place, and not only is it within his ability to put a new song in your mouths, it is also within his very nature to do so. With resolve, he gets out of his seat and tends to us on the ground where we have fallen.”- Scott Sauls
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bogs, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”- Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV)
In Prologue 7 (“Banana Bread”) of Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen, Scott Sauls notes what happens as we lie on the ground in stupors and in the wounds we inflict on ourselves. Most significantly, with great intent, Jesus moves toward us. And gets onto the ground with us. There He breathes new life and hope into us.
Above all, God never disowns us. Because in doing so, He’d disown Himself. And that’s impossible. However, Pastor Sauls underscores, it’s worth asking plainly why God ever chooses to work through unsavory characters. Like King David. The answer — no good people and better ingredients exist. Because we all sin and fall short of God’s glory.
In conclusion, Pastor Sauls observes, people often spurn the Christian faith due to perceived hypocrisy. But, Scott explains:
“They are right in their assessment. It is impossible to be a Christian and not be a hypocrite, if by hypocrite we mean someone who lives inconsistently with who they claim to be and what they claim to believe. But our hypocrisy does not negate our Christian faith. Instead, our hypocrisy establishes it. Jesus came not for the righteous but for the unrighteous, not for sinless but for sinners. . . . We are not saintly people who have earned our place. Rather, we are sinful people who have been saved by grace.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses, Christian songs, or hymns put a new song in your mouth? Please share
Tomorrow’s blog: “Broken hallelujah – sweet sound”
